​Revitalise your spice collection

Spices are a delicious essential ingredient for professional chefs and home cooks alike, and can add depth of flavour to all dishes. To maintain their quality, shelf-life and ease of use, it's important to store them in air tight containers and ideally have them well organised so they are on hand when you need them.

Buying ready-filled commercial spice jars tends to be an expensive and wasteful solution that results in a lot of glass recycling - not to mention plastic lids! A far better solution is to visit the zero-waste shop and stock up on spice jars that not only allow you to organise your spices to maximise their use, but which also look beautiful when on display in your home. Take your glass jars to the zero waste shop and fill them up with all the spices you will use the most - for a cheaper solution, without the environmental burden.

What exactly are spices?

These aromatic flavours come from a variety of fruits, seeds, rhizomes and bark. They are used in small amounts to season food and also to preserve it. Fascinatingly, man's association with spice also extends to using it to create dyes, medicines and even perfume. No wonder they have been used for thousands of years, and are often highly prized for their worth.

Which spices are ideal in the kitchen?

This somewhat depends on the cuisines you tend to cook. If you enjoy lots of spice and flavour in your cooking, then Indian, Chinese or Mediterranean spices and herbs are ideal. If you love to bake, you will no doubt want to stock up on sweet spices that add depth and sweetness to your biscuits, buns and cakes.

Here are some essential spices that are worth investing in for any kitchen:

Allspice
This is a dried brown berry used for Swedish meatballs and Jamaican jerk seasoning, as well as for baking. It tastes like a combination of nutmeg, clove and cinnamon.

Aniseed
Used heavily in Greek cooking and drinks such as Ouzo. In the Netherlands and India it is also used to coat sweets and to flavour milk.

Caraway
A delicious and versatile spice, used for sweet and savoury dishes such as potato salad, sauerkraut, breads and cakes. It's flavour is warm and reminiscent of aniseed.

Cardamon
Fruity, warm, sweet and floral, this is essential for Arabic coffee and Nordic baking.

Chilies
Packed with heat, chilies are the most used spice in the world and are found across all cuisines in different amounts.

Cinnamon
This is spicy, warm and used in everything from making gingerbread to Moroccan tagine. You'll find various forms of cinnamon available suitable for different dishes.

Cloves
These are packed with essential oils and are used medicinally as well as for making dishes such as roasted ham, apple crumble, mulled wine and Chinese five-spice mix, a base for a plethora of recipes.

Coriander
A highly versatile spice with an extraordinary depth or flavour, essential for Indian cuisine and delicious in soups and burgers too.

Dried herbs
These blends are wonderful in all dishes that require depth, particularly Mediterranean cooking.

Ginger
Use in gingerbread, pumpkin pie and Indian food.

Peppercorns
A must for all cooks for adding zest and piquancy to food. Peppercorns are ideal ground and paired with salt to season all savoury dishes.

Turmeric
With an earthy sharp flavour, turmeric is essential for Indian and Moroccan cooking.

Ready-ground or whole spice?

As certain spices lose their heat so quickly, it's best to buy them in whole form where possible - such as nutmeg and peppercorns - and grind them in a pestle and mortar or grinder just before you use them. This will maximise their flavour and aromatic benefits. In some recipes you can also use the whole spice and then remove it at the end - such as cardamon in Indian dishes or in aromatic flavoured milks. Remember to follow recipes carefully as spices are powerful and so can rapidly overpower the flavour of any dish.

How to store your spices

Use glass jars with either clear or opaque finishes, and ideally a snap lid so that they are airtight. Use labels to identify the spices and keep the spice jars in a dark cupboard away from heat and direct light. This will preserve them for as long as possible.

Stocking up on spice jars

We have a wide range of glass jars at Wares of Knutsford, with a variety of snap, cork press and screwtop lids depending on your preference. You'll find spice jars in an array of sizes and finishes, and you'll love our prices and product range. For any queries our customer services team is here to assist, and we also sell in bulk if you are looking to obtain the best possible rates either for your small business or perhaps to create wedding favours. Remember to sign up to our newsletter for the latest product releases, news, tips and special offers from the homewares specialist, Wares of Knutsford.