Homemade Almond Milk, Coconut Milk, etc

[ORChick]

Marianne wrote

Our visiting son drove two hours to go to an Indian market. I was shocked when I saw how little he paid for spices.

Yes, incredible, isn't it? Only a dollar or two, in many cases, for a pound or so. If kept cool, dry, and dark these spices will last for years. I know the experts say they should be replaced every year (or more often!) but I tend to judge by the smell rather than what someone else has told me. If it smells as it should I keep it. If its not quite as strong I use a little more. If it doesn't smell like much of anything I give it to the compost worms (I can't remember when I last did that). I do like to buy my spices in their whole state - whole cloves, rather than ground for example - as they stay nice much longer that way. And I remove them from the plastic bags they come in, and transfer them to glass jars with tight lids.

 

[k15n1]

Marianne wrote

Our visiting son drove two hours to go to an Indian market. I was shocked when I saw how little he paid for spices.

Yes, incredible, isn't it? Only a dollar or two, in many cases, for a pound or so. If kept cool, dry, and dark these spices will last for years. I know the experts say they should be replaced every year (or more often!) but I tend to judge by the smell rather than what someone else has told me. If it smells as it should I keep it. If its not quite as strong I use a little more. If it doesn't smell like much of anything I give it to the compost worms (I can't remember when I last did that). I do like to buy my spices in their whole state - whole cloves, rather than ground for example - as they stay nice much longer that way. And I remove them from the plastic bags they come in, and transfer them to glass jars with tight lids.

Yes! Had the same experience last year.

 

[Emerald]

Marianne wrote

Our visiting son drove two hours to go to an Indian market. I was shocked when I saw how little he paid for spices.

Yes, incredible, isn't it? Only a dollar or two, in many cases, for a pound or so. If kept cool, dry, and dark these spices will last for years. I know the experts say they should be replaced every year (or more often!) but I tend to judge by the smell rather than what someone else has told me. If it smells as it should I keep it. If its not quite as strong I use a little more. If it doesn't smell like much of anything I give it to the compost worms (I can't remember when I last did that). I do like to buy my spices in their whole state - whole cloves, rather than ground for example - as they stay nice much longer that way. And I remove them from the plastic bags they come in, and transfer them to glass jars with tight lids.

I have been going to the spices of India store in the big town near me too. buy the whole and grind them when I need it. I was shocked how inexpensive it was. I got 4 of the nicest whole nutmegs for a buck. Whole Cumin (which I have a couple plants) which I toast and then grind- the flavor is beyond great.. I'm going to grow a patch and hope for the best- it needs a bit longer season then I have normally.. The only thing they didn't have was true cinnamon.