Taste testers compare spices at various prices
The spices available at the grocery store hail from all over the map, and their prices are pretty varied too.
Posted — UpdatedFor many, the holiday season means cooking special recipes and using lots of spices.
The spices available at the grocery store hail from all over the map, and their prices are pretty varied too.
There can be huge differences in price between different brands of the same spice. Even the small jars can cost plenty. In some cases, the price is equivalent to more than $100 per pound.
Consumer Reports ran some tests to see if a lower price meant less flavor.
Consumer Reports' sized up two frequently used spices -- oregano and cinnamon. The prices ranged from a low of 50 cents per ounce to more than $7 for the same quantity.
"We wanted to see if our trained testers could taste any big differences between an expensive spice and a less expensive one," said Amy Keating of Consumer Reports.
Testers tasted dried oregano in various recipes, including tomato sauce and on top of bread with melted mozzarella.
The cinnamon was mixed into applesauce and baked in sugar cookies.
They found that all of the oreganos tasted pretty much the same. All the cinnamons tasted just like cinnamon.
"One thing that can make a difference with some herbs and spices is if they are old," Keating said.
While is can be less expensive to buy spices in bulk, taste can degrade over time. Most cooks should avoid bulk purchases except for spices they plan to use a lot, or if they are cooking for a crowd like chef Annamarie Macciocco.
She counts on spices to create signature dishes for her Italian restaurant.
“A dish could be good, but a spice could make it great," she said
Still, Macciocco said, "I buy the cheapest spice I can."
To keep herbs and spices tasting their best, Consumer Reports recommends:
- Be sure to store them in airtight containers.
- Keep them out of sunlight and away from moisture and heat.
- Check the expiration date. If there isn't one, mark the container with the date you open it.
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.