Shopping for Spices

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Having an abundant spice cupboard is definitely a good thing if you consider yourself a home chef. Spices are what take your food from palatable to delicious and without them, food would be so lackluster. Did you know that there are certain things to look for when shopping for spices?  

I've shared an article that contains some spice shopping tips and wanted to touch base on their tips with you all. Let's go!

• Purchase from a store you trust - Why is this important? If you are paying for a quality spice and are purchasing from a suspicious retailer, you might be overpaying for a product that is not of the best quality. Saffron for example is an expensive spice and because of this price, we expect the highest quality so it's important you are not purchasing it from discount retailers for example. There's no guarantee on the quality.
• Uniform Colour - If you are buying a single spice, it should be uniform in colour. This means if you purchase cumin for example, everything in the bag / container should be identical in colour. Variations in colour could mean that sorting of the spice was poorly done or that it was cultivated before maturity. Both indications that the quality has been compromised and is no longer worth the price.
• Colour - Vibrancy indicates quality. If you are purchasing a ground spice like turmeric or chili powder, it should be bright and vibrant. Muted or faded looking spices might have been sitting on the shelf for a touch too long. 
• Quantity - It's important to purchase smaller amounts of these spices and replenish often. This will ensure you are always using the freshest and most flavourful spices. They do not have an eternal shelf life so avoid buying in bulk unless you intend to use that much in a short period of time. 

Long story short, shopping for spices is a lot like shopping for fresh produce. Look for bright, vibrant colours, avoid purchasing in bulk, and shop from a retailer you trust. Good quality spices will make your meal that much more special!


HAPPY VEG