How To Store Bulk Dried Spices And Herbs ~
Do you have the same problem I have when it comes to how to store bulk dried spices and herbs? I am referring to the extra spices and herbs that don’t fit into your spice and herb containers that you use regularly for cooking and baking.
Why Buy Bulk Dried Spices And Herbs?
I prefer to buy the plastic packages or containers of spices and herbs because it is less expensive. I find the spices and herbs that come in the jars are quite a bit more pricey. I love flavouring my cooking with spices and herbs and I have about forty different kinds in my collection so I want to save money whenever I can.
I will also buy some spices and herbs at the bulk store so I only have to buy a specific amount. I do this with ones that I don’t use very often. It doesn’t make sense to buy a package, only use a certain amount and have the rest go to waste. Sometimes I buy a bit too much in loose form for the size of the storage jar and have to store the extra amount elsewhere.
The Problem With Storing Bulk Dried Spices And Herbs
I don’t know if you have this problem like I do but the spices and herbs I buy do not all come in uniformed packaging. I tend to buy the product in different locations and it comes in different forms. This mismatch of containers makes it difficult to conveniently store.
Another problem with storing extra spices and herbs is they need to be stored in a way so they will stay fresh as long as possible. Spices and herbs don’t spoil but they do lose their colour, aroma and flavour over time. Spices are most happy when they are stored away from light, moisture and exposure to air.
I also wanted a storage system for spices and herbs where I could track what I had in stock, was running low on and needed to buy more of. There is nothing worse that reaching for something that you thought you had only to find out that you ran out of it. Or I have also been known to buy a packaged spice or herb only to find out that I already had a full unused package in my bulk collection.
So I decided to create my system for how to store bulk dried spices and herbs that:
- did not take up a lot of storage space
- maintained freshness as long as possible
- was convenient to see what was in stock
- was easy to work with whenever I needed to replenish my storage jars
- helped me track the purchase dates to give me an idea how old they were
Instructions For How To Store Bulk Dried Spices And Herbs…
Materials
- business size envelopes (10” x 13” or 25.4 cm x 33 cm)
- Bulk Spice And Herb label for each envelope (printable provided in PDF format)
- glue stick
- large food storage plastic bags (I bought Glad food storage bags at the dollar store)
- blank index cards
- Sharpie pen
- small clamps
- plastic bin for storing envelopes
- large index card or cardstock paper for labeling plastic storage bin
- pen for recording content information
Here is where you can download the printable of the Bulk Spice And Herb Label where you can record the contents, type (spice or herb) and the purchase date.
Instructions
Step 1
Print and trim Bulk Herb And Spice Labels. Glue at the top of the business envelope. Record the name, type and when the spice was purchased on the label.
Step 2
If the spice or herb package has not been opened yet:
Insert the unopened package inside the plastic food storage bag. Fold the bag smoothly to make a flat package. Write the name of the contents on the blank index card with a Sharpie pen. Secure the label to flat package with a clamp.
If the spice or herb is in loose form or is being transferred from a larger storage container:
Shake the spice or herb into the plastic food storage bag. Fold the bag smoothly to make a flat package and to make sure all of the air is removed. Write the name of the contents on the blank index card with a Sharpie pen. Secure the label to the flat package with a clamp.
Step 3
Place the labeled envelopes upright in a storage container in alphabetical order.
Here is a front view of what my bulk spices and herbs storage bins looks like and…
… here is a side view. I love how compact and organized everything is!
Step 4
Keep extra empty envelopes at the back of the plastic storage bin. Store all of the necessary supplies in one of the extra envelopes so they are readily available.
Some Final Thoughts…
I really like this system for how to store bulk dried spices and herbs because it is so convenient to work with. I can quickly and easily fill up a spice or herb container storage jar in just a couple of steps. All I have to do is pull out the plastic bin and retrieve the envelope of the spice or herb I am looking for. Then I unclamp and temporarily remove the label from the plastic food storage bag. It is super easy to pour the loose product from the plastic food storage bag into the storage jar. Lastly, I refold and reattach the label before returning to the envelope and place it back into the storage bin till next time.
The label on each envelope identifying what is in each envelope makes it really easy to locate what I am looking for especially if the envelopes are stored in alphabetical order. I also can track how old the contents are by recording and crossing off the dates as new spices and herbs are added to the bulk collection.
So that is it! That is how to store bulk dried spices and herbs!
Here is fancy image for pinning for future reference and for sharing… thank you so much!
If you are looking for more food storage ideas…
Best Spice And Herb Storage Tips provides you with valuable information about how best to store spices and herbs that you use regularly in your cooking and baking. I also clarify the difference between a spice and a herb. I am fortunate to have a tall wire rack in my pantry and this is how I store them in alphabetical order in glass jars purchased at the dollar store.
Ideas For An Organized Pantry gives you a collection of tips and ideas for storing food in your pantry. I give you a tour of my pantry and how it is organized.
I really enjoy coming up with doable, inexpensive and practical ideas for organizing and storage. I hope that what I have shared with you here will give you some ideas and inspiration that you can use too!
Thank you so much for stopping by!
I would love to hear your thoughts on this system or your ideas for storing bulk dried spices and herbs…
Take care,
The post How To Store Bulk Dried Spices And Herbs appeared first on Time With Thea.
