My friend swore by buying cheap bulk spices, but I think it's a waste of money

My buddy Mark told me to always get the huge $5 bags of generic spices at the discount store to save cash. I bought a giant bag of paprika six months ago. It's already lost all its color and smells like dust, so I have to use triple the amount in my chili. That 'cheap' spice made my last three pots taste flat, and I had to throw most of it out. I'm going back to buying the small jars from the regular grocery aisle, even if they cost a bit more per ounce. Has anyone else found that some bulk items just don't hold up?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_dakota17d ago

Seriously, it's just paprika. You're not running a restaurant. If your chili tastes a little weak, add some extra. Tossing a mostly used bag after six months isn't some huge financial loss.

craig.tyler16d ago

True, but my chili recipe is the one thing I've managed not to ruin... the paprika's expiration date feels like a ticking clock on my only culinary win. Guess I'll just add more and hope for the best.