spice jars/containers

purpleivy

I favour the taller thinner type of container for my herbs and spices, because they're more space efficient than the skinny small ones that you get in supermarkets. I still have some of these, but as I get other ones I'm decanting. Some are recycled tall plastic tubs from the supermarket, some are things like tall thin olive jars. Job in progress.

I try and get as many spices etc from the 'Indian & Continental' shop near my mum in Hull. The shop has the most amazing selection of foods. The only problem is that I don't get over there very often, when I do, i go on foot, so limited to what I can carry. I got a 2kg bag of wheat to make a wheat bag this time, so that was a big amount before I started on the rest. THey have frozen grated ginger, which I like very much. Lots cheaper than the stuff in jars and also keeps better. Chopped garlic is available in our local morrisons.

I make my own mix for coating chicken and making potato wedges. This is cheaper than packet stuff and we tweak the recipe so it's different every time.

northwest1965

floss2 wrote: »

We keep ours in their original jar/pot/box, with a label on the top (if not already printed) and then they live in the shallow drawer inside our vegetable drawer (IKEA kitchen). Daren't count them.....we have loads and not just regular ones either - saffron from India, cinnamon from the Seychelles, cajun spice mixes from New Orleans, falafel mix from Tel Aviv - all bought from places OH has visited through his job!

Can you bring back any spices from around the world? I'm sure someone told me we couldnt when we went to Morrocco. Just wondered if this was right.

I bought some clip plastic boxes from Poundland this morning, 3 for £1. Spices all sorted now :T

katieowl_2

Another vote for recycled jars.... My jar of preference is a Bon Maman Jam Jar...Nice and chunky and I like the red and white gingham lids (all bought on O/S special offer of course ) I write on the lid with a permenant marker! The wide tops mean they stack easily too. The Bon Maman jars will take about three or four of those piddly little jars they sell in the supermarket - I tend to buy three at a time of the stuff I use a lot of! (thyme, Provence herbs, oregano)

Any open giant packets of spices that won't fit in one of these jars get stored in an airtight plastic box.

Regards

Kate

northwest1965

What spice mix do you use to coat chicken and wedges?

floss2

northwest1965 wrote: »

Can you bring back any spices from around the world? I'm sure someone told me we couldnt when we went to Morrocco. Just wondered if this was right.....

Put it this way - it would take a brave customs person to rummage through OH's undies when he's been on a 3-week trip in Israel! :rotfl:

Swan_2

northwest1965 wrote: »

Can you bring back any spices from around the world? I'm sure someone told me we couldnt when we went to Morrocco. Just wondered if this was right.

I've brought spices back from the USA, Africa & various places in Europe without any problems

Carlos_Miranda

I always use porcelain jars to store my herbs, spices and pickles. They are not only air tight but also keep the food items in good edible condition for long time. I even keep the pickles for months together. Hence i find this as the safest way to store perishable eatables.

Swan_2

here's something else that's useful to know about herb and spice storage

they deteriorate faster if exposed to light & heat, so having spice racks or shelves with transparent containers visible in your kitchen isn't a good idea, especially in they're in direct sunshine and/or near any appliance that generates heat

Chris25

I think there are restrictions for bringing in goods from outside EU. May depend on how they are stored?

Also, I think that there are (or used to be) regulations about bringing in dried berries, fruit & mushrooms from several European countries due to possible continuing contamination from Chernobyl. A friend of mine wanted to buy some dried lingon (or something similar to that) berries in one of the Scandinavian countries but was told she wouldn't have been able to get them through customs.

Swan_2

Chris25 wrote: »

I think there are restrictions for bringing in goods from outside EU. May depend on how they are stored?

Also, I think that there are (or used to be) regulations about bringing in dried berries, fruit & mushrooms from several European countries due to possible continuing contamination from Chernobyl. A friend of mine wanted to buy some dried lingon (or something similar to that) berries in one of the Scandinavian countries but was told she wouldn't have been able to get them through customs.

that's interesting

I was never stopped or searched when I brought stuff back, I guess if I had it might have been a different story, hopefully just confiscation!