Lots of Herbs At Bargain Prices

food and drink, shopping

Tired of spending five or six dollars for those small jars of herbs and spices at the grocery store, some of which you use so infrequently that you can't remember why on earth you bought them?   Normally jars hold from 1/2 oz to 2 or 3oz, depending on the individual weight of the ingredients inside.

Whole Foods bulk spices are the answer. Kept in large and medium jars at both the North and Ashland Av. stores (not the one at 30 W. Huron where space is too limited) you can help yourself  to a truly amazing range of esoteric herbs as well as the old standbys.  Plastic bags, clean scoops and a small scale are provided.  Just write down the appropriate PLU # on the twist tie and the cashier will do the rest.

Sample prices per ounce: rosemary leaf is .81; mixed peppercorns 1.87; cayenne pepper .62; juniper berries $1.04; ground cardamom $2.50; whole ancho chili peppers $1.69.

Also wisely, the store has prepackaged bottles of spices in their regular section, priced well below those in the chain groceries.

Another discovery:  There's a Cub Food store at 2627 N. Elston that has spices in jars priced  just over a dollar in the Spanish food section (only).  The why of this is inexplicable to me and I definitely don't want to upset the apple cart by asking management.

If you need empty spice bottles, The Container Store(s) have a good selection.

Whole Foods Markets, 1000 W. North Av., and 3241 N. Lincoln (at Ashland).

Comments

[neener]

CVS has speices for $1 too, if you're trying to make garlic bread for an army.

[bensch]

I guess it may not be as budget-conscious as Cub Foods but the Spice House carries high-quality spices in bulk and in jars/bags for fairly reasonable prices. You'll also be supporting an independent retailer.

http://www.thespicehouse.com/info/home.php