# Where is the best place to buy inexpensive spices (for cooking)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 22, 2018, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008 "2018-03-22T04:19:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/1 "2018-03-22T04:19:33Z")
I love using various spices when cooking but they are ridiculously expensive at my local supermarket. Part of my problem is I have a small household so buying in bulk doesn’t work well because it does not get used fast enough (e.g. the giant jug of oregano). Fresh herbs are great but also expensive and at my market a bit hit or miss if they even have them. I have a Whole Foods a bit further away which reliably has all that stuff but is even more expensive. Note I am not trying to cheap out. I care about decent quality and some things just are never cheap (e.g. saffron). That said I get a distinct impression that spices are a huge markup at my local market akin to buying TV cables at Best Buy…well beyond a fair profit to outright ripoff. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/2 "2018-03-22T04:33:43Z")
Ethnic grocery stores often have spices in bulk amounts for which they charge the same amount, or not all that much more, than a mainstream grocery would charge for a little can or jar. ---
**Author:** ![Some\_Call\_Me.Tim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Some\_Call\_Me.Tim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Some_Call_Me.Tim)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/3 "2018-03-22T04:41:09Z")
Heck, even in as bland of a chain store as a Safeway many spices will have vastly different prices if you buy them form the ‘mexican foods’ section than if you buy them from the ‘spices’ section- including spices that aren’t particularly specific to that cuisine, like cinnamon or cloves. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/4 "2018-03-22T05:15:00Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Ethnic grocery stores often have spices in bulk amounts for which they charge the same amount, or not all that much more, than a mainstream grocery would charge for a little can or jar. I live in Chicago (and I do mean IN Chicago…not the burbs or fringes). There are certainly plenty of ethnic food stores all over. That said it’s not easy to get to all of them but I suppose that is part of the trade-off…do I want to spend an hour commuting to a store for a cheap spice? ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/5 "2018-03-22T05:17:09Z")
large grocery stores have an ethnic secton where they may sell the same spices for less than elsewhere in the store. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/6 "2018-03-22T05:23:06Z")
Go to [Savory Spice](https://www.savoryspiceshop.com/illinois/chicago-lincoln-square.html)in Lincoln Square. They have EVERYTHING you could ever want. Prices are pretty good and man does that place smell wonderful! ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/7 "2018-03-22T05:35:13Z")
I use a lot of Badia brand spices, found in the “ethnic” section of the regular supermarket. Alot of them come in plastic baggies in fairly small amounts at low prices. I’ll second the recommendation for Savory Spice Shop too. There is one in my town. The selection and quality is excellent, and you can buy very small quantities if you like. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/8 "2018-03-22T06:04:56Z")
There’s a Penzey’s store in the River Square Shopping Center in Naperville. They sell spices in containers as small as 1/4 cup. The spices I’ve bought from Penzey’s have always been top quality. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/9 "2018-03-22T06:06:09Z")
Any Mexican grocery will have them cheaply enough that you could throw away half and still be well ahead of da Jewels. Spice house in Evanston and Chicago will sell tiny plastic bags of spices perfect for a small household. Gimme a vague idea of location; edgebrook is gonna be tough whereas Rogers park or Logan Square will be easy. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/10 "2018-03-22T06:09:00Z")
You need to mine the spice. Be wary of sand worms tho. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/11 "2018-03-22T06:15:23Z")
The chain grocery stores near me have a “bulk spice” section right next to the jars of spices, where you can buy exactly what you need of whatever (the teaspoon of tumeric that I will never use again, exactly 1 stick of cinnamon, or that single bay leaf for the stew). It’s usually a reasonable price. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/12 "2018-03-22T11:19:40Z")
I often buy spices from bulk food stores. In some parts of the country they’re often run by Mennonites and are therefore called Mennonite stores or Amish stores. Here’s a partial list of such stores, though it doesn’t include the one I shop at: [Amish and Mennonite Stores](http://www.simplyprepared.com/amish_and_mennonite_stores.htm) I used to get my spices, yeast, and many other baking ingredients from health food stores (or natural food stores). Some are like Whole Foods (very expensive and/or poor selection), but a lot of the mom-and-pop operations are good for this sort of thing. Some discount stores have a good variety of cheap spices. Especially the sort of stores that specialize in overstocks, scratch-and-dent merchandise, and such. Big Lots has or used to have a decent selection, but a regional chain called Ocean State Job Lot has a much better one. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/13 "2018-03-22T11:56:02Z")
Most of the places I shop at around here have a section of reasonably priced bottled spices (we’re talking 99 cents to $1.99 for about a three ounce plastic jar. Brands like “Spice Supreme” and “Badia.”) Since you’re in Chicago, the stores I’m talking about are Pete’s Market, Cermak Produce, and Shop and Save. So check if any of those are around. The spices tend to be middle-of-the-road in terms of quality. For example, I’m a bit of a paprika snob, and I’ve tried various brands, and they pretty much don’t pass my test. For the really good stuff, I go to a place like Spice House or Penzey’s. (Still affordable, but of very high quality.) I also like Middle Eastern, Indian, and Chinese markets for spices. The Middle Eastern places I go to seem to be the best about having bulk spices, where you just scoop it up and they weigh it. The Indian and Chinese places tend to be more prepackeaged bulk spices, where you can get like two years’ worth of coriander seeds for a couple bucks. So maybe not what you’re looking for, but quite nice for the more exotic spices and spice blends. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/14 "2018-03-22T12:10:47Z")
If you don’t mind traveling a bit, purchase your spices where they’re grown. You’ll be shocked at the low prices at Marigot’s outdoor markets. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/15 "2018-03-22T12:26:02Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > … > Part of my problem is I have a small household so buying in bulk doesn’t work well because it does not get used fast enough (e.g. the giant jug of oregano)… Just to mention the obvious but it appears that you are misusing the word bulk, which means you buy the amount you want. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/16 "2018-03-22T14:01:50Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Just to mention the obvious but it appears that you are misusing the word bulk, which means you buy the amount you want. No, he’s using the word quite fine. Typically it does mean “in great quantity.” ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/17 "2018-03-22T14:16:47Z")
Where are you finding expensive spices? Even at the most expensive stores, they’re generally only a few cents per serving. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/18 "2018-03-22T14:17:02Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > The chain grocery stores near me have a “bulk spice” section right next to the jars of spices, where you can buy exactly what you need of whatever (the teaspoon of tumeric that I will never use again, exactly 1 stick of cinnamon, or that single bay leaf for the stew). It’s usually a reasonable price. Same here. While there is a Savory Spice store in my neighborhood, the smallest quantity that can be purchased there is 2 oz. Doesn’t sound like much, but that’s a whole lot of something that will sit on your shelf until it goes bad. And they aren’t cheap. I recently bought about a tsp of mace, ground cloves and ground nutmeg in the bulk spice section of the grocery for a cake I want to make. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/19 "2018-03-22T14:28:21Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > No, he’s using the word quite fine. Typically it does mean “in great quantity.” I agree typically it does, however buying spices in bulk does not equate to that, but measure yourself the amount you want (large or small). Hence ‘buying is great quantity’ is exactly what the OP does not want (which is what the spice jars provide to the OP), hence in that case you buy in bulk and get the amount you need. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008/20 "2018-03-22T14:29:57Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Where are you finding expensive spices? Even at the most expensive stores, they’re generally only a few cents per serving. Saffron runs $8-$10 an ounce, and making a paella to feed four typically uses an ounce. Poor quality saffron is cheaper, but you need to use way more for the same taste/color. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-inexpensive-spices-for-cooking/811008.md?page=2)