Shamless Plug for your friends. Last thing I want is ads in a blog. Dissapointing.

Sorry. Not friends with either of them. Now when I write about Donna's, THAT'S a shameless plug for my friend. :-) EL

What a great idea. Seems so reasonable that it is surprising no one thought of it before. Maybe the million dollar start-up cost was the problem?

This makes me sad. We should be moving away from a disposable economy. I cry when I see the single use microwave streamer bags, and this isn't too far away from that. Want to use more spices at home? Cook at home more often. Or, buy bulk spices and share them with friends. But please for the love of all that is holy STOP THROWING THINGS AWAY!

Not sure what your point is. These should make you happy, not sad, because people will be using just what they need. Maybe we don't want to use more spices at home, but we do want to buy just what we can use before they go stale so we won't have to throw anything away. EL

This is a great idea! Not just for the purposes of being less wasteful with spices, but also for saving money. I don't really NEED a full container of cardamom (for example) to make cardamom bread but I have to shell out the $14 regardless. Not worth it!

I think Dan's comment was more to do with the packaging and the waste that it generates rather than the waste generated by the spices themselves. While the TSP tins are reusable, the little packet containing each teaspoon of spice/herb is not, nor are they recyclable.

Packaging is the issue. There will be a huge amount of waste, both in energy to fill the little bags and in bags.

I guess it might be nice when trying a new spice, but Penzey's has small sample jars.

I dunno...this leaves me wondering why, like just about all convenience food does. I guess I just do everything the hard way.

I think Dan's point is that we're creating more packaging for smaller portions, then paying more per ounce, but thinking its 'cheaper' because the overall package may cost less (those 100-calorie packs come to mind). In this American world where no one has any time for anything now-adays, convenience is #1. But since these will have a much longer shelf life than, say, cookies, maybe in the long run it will be a cost saver. The cost of the items and how many spices one uses in a year would really be the key factor in determining if you're saving money and being less wasteful.

Maybe it is the extra packaging that Dan is unhappy about.

This does seem like a good idea for those little used spices that just take up room in my cabinet. When I get home I'm throwing out the marjoram. Sorry Dan.

My first reaction was totally negative and my second was also negative, but more sad. That's just how I felt. What would I do with a whole teaspoon of cardamom? Single use? First impression is expensive gimmick that is wasteful in the end. That's my impression. Nine dollars for 12 teaspoons of oregano? Penzey's Spices offers small half size containers for spices you use less often, for less than $1.50. I couldn't conceive of cooking with packets like that. I need a pinch of this and a sprinkle of that. Nope.

You did see that Time compared them favorably to Pringles. Nuff said.

BOO! Someone untie Elizabeth. Worst idea ever on this blog. I'm sorry.

When I lived in the Pacific Northwest, virtually all of the grocery stores sold spices in bulk. You could buy as much or as little as you needed. It certainly came in handy when I needed only a small amount of an expensive spice that I wouldn't use very often.

I don't understand why stores around here don't do the same.

Its not like this saves any money. 6 tins with 10 tsp each for $42?? Get the big cans at Costco and dont skimp on the spices.
Who really throws them away anyways?

We are clearly at a "betwixt & between" moment in our society. The "thou shalt not waste" commandment cuts us in both directions -- don't waste the spice versus don't waste the packaging (probably petroleum based).

I would love to live in a world where I could shop in a local farmer's market every morning or evening, and buy spices by the spoonful as I needed them. The best compromise I've seen is at My Organic Market in Frederick, where they have many spices available in bulk containers. If they do a sufficient volume of business to keep the turnover high and if the plastic bins are shielded from light and heat, this could be the way to go.

If I could get to Frederick more than every other month of so I'd start reconfiguring my spice racks. Since that's probably not in the cards, and since I haven't seen any MOM's in this area, I will probably still order mine online in the smallest jars available.

I like Shoppers for smaller amounts of spice at reasonable prices. The best place to find them is in ethnic food sections- like the Mexican food area. I generally can find spices in small bags that are much less expensive that the bottled counterparts a few aisles away. Bay leaves come to mind.

Aren't there a lot of issues here? Is it better to waste paper or a rare spice? Is it a cost savings to buy a big can and use more spice than the recipe calls for just to use it up? Or use spices that are past their prime because you don't throw them away and so the recipe doesn't taste as good? (I've done this.) Is buying the giant convenience size always the best idea just because it's cheaper per unit than a smaller amount?

Bill Penzey, of Penzeys Spices, says, in answer to the question "How much spice should I buy?"

"A good rule of thumb is to buy a one year supply of herbs or ground spices, and a one to two year supply of whole spices. The government's guideline for freshness dating is four years for whole spices and two years for ground. Some people say six months is the longest spices should be stored, but most spices are harvested only once a year, so it does not make sense to discard them every six months. On the other hand, two years is too long to store finely powdered spices. Each spice contains hundreds of flavor components. It is the quantity and balance of these components that determines the quality of the spice. These flavor components will dissipate at different rates. A top quality spice may be better at two years old than a low quality spice at two months. When in doubt about a spice, just smell it. If it smells strong and spicy, use it. If not, toss it."

OMG mentioned the high cost of "12 teaspoons of oregano," comparing it to the cost of a small size from Penzeys. Indeed, Penzeys offfers 0.2 oz plastic jars of both Mexican and Turkish broken leaf oregano for $1.49 each. And, yes, there is a difference between the two. I have been buying from Penzeys for more than 15 years and have been completely satisfied. Now that they have a store in Rockville, you can go and sniff everything before buying.

EL, do you have Hal the VOR gagged and bound in the trunk of your car? When I went to the TSP site, the first thing I saw was that they were featured on Oprah's "O" list. Gack and let me be the first to coin ... regack.

I'm speechless. Yeah, I know. Such wasteful tomfoolery. Reusable tins? For what? Your button collection?

Vishnu guide us. No luck there. Buddha? His teachings suggest that the desire for this product will only bring suffering. Magic Eight Ball says ... Try Again Later. Urrrrr!!!!

Let us turn to the Lego Bible then as a last resort. When I think of waste and how Yahweh punished those who waste, I naturally go to Genesis 38:6, the story of Tamar.

Well, there you have it. Death to the wasteful.

Rare spice? I doubt many folks are tossing out old saffron.

Why don't we all form a co-op and buy bulk spices and then split them up into smaller portions according to our needs?

From Spicebarn.com:

Shelf Life: Whole spices----2 to 5 years
Ground spices---6 months to 2 years
Leafy herbs-------3 months to 2 years
Dehydrated vegetables---6 months

So I guess the answer is, buy whole spices and grind them yourself. Very easy to do with a small, standard coffee grinder dedicated to use with spices only.

Complete post:

Spices and herbs contain aromatic substances called "essential oils", which are responsible for the aroma and much of the flavor. Most spices and herbs are available in ground and whole form.

Whole herbs and spices last much longer than crushed or ground. Many people prefer to buy the whole form and crush or grind as needed. Herbs and spices can be crushed with a mortar and pestle, or a coffee grinder. Check ground spices for freshness at least once a year. If no aroma is detected, the seasoning needs to be replaced.
Spices and herbs should be kept in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, dark place. A screw-cap container is better than a flip-top container because it can be tightly resealed.

1. Keep them away from heat. Do not store near dishwasher or refrigerator, and they should never be stored near the range, even though it may seem more convenient. Heat, air, and light cause aromatic oils to evaporate, which causes spices and herbs to lose their flavor.

2. Store away from moisture as dampness will cause caking and loss of quality. Store in tightly covered jars and use clean, dry spoons for measuring. If you live in a high humidity area you may experience difficulty with caking.

3. Store in cool place away from light. Do not store in a window or in sunlight. Spice racks are nice, but not the best way to store your spices.

4. Refrigerate cayenne pepper, chili powder, and paprika to retain color longer.

Shelf Life: Whole spices----2 to 5 years
Ground spices---6 months to 2 years
Leafy herbs-------3 months to 2 years
Dehydrated vegetables---6 months

Tip: Make a note of the date of purchase on the label; then check them once a year and replace as needed.

...and from Baltimore's own McCormick:

What is the shelf life of spices and herbs?
The shelf life of properly stored spices and herbs is approximately 3-4 years for whole spices and seeds, 2-3 years for ground spices, 1-3 years for leafy herbs, and 1-2 years for seasoning blends.

If you need assistance with the shelf life, call us toll free (In the United States only) at 1-800-632-5847 between the hours of 9:30AM and 5:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time), Monday through Friday.

I'm SURE it's just a coincidence, but it does seem that this topic is a bit skewed for EL's normally well-balanced mindset and has set off a firestorm of mid-afternoon buzz. The coincidence being that one of the founders in named "ENGRAM", as in the Scientology concept that clouds your mind. Hmmm? Nah. I'm the sensible one in the family. It does seem like a ridiculous product for everyday cooking for practical reasons. What do you do with the remainder of the opened pack? Put it in a spice jar? I'm guessing that lazy people will not just throw out the packaging but the leftover spice as well. Really, really sorry to be a part of this war wagon. The symbolic icing on the cake would be that the Urbanite (g'ack) called them "packets of pure adventure." Not feeling it.

I don't think that everybody read all of the linked materials before posting comments. For starters, Whole Foods will be selling cardboard cartons, with four 1-tsp packets per carton, for $2.99 per carton. These will be sold under the "Smart Spice" brand name which the "spice gals" (Time's term, not mine) use in addition to their "The Seasoned Palate" or "TSP Spices" brand. Also, the TSP Spices website sells individual spices in units of twelve 1-tsp packets, both with a storage can (for $9.00) and as a "refill" without the can (for $5.00). The $2.99 or $5.00 spice deals may be fairly reasonable, price-wise, if the unopened packets have a decent shelf life. (Of course, as some posts have indicated, you can probably buy some spices for less at your local market.)

Woohoo! I'm doing the Voodoo Pork dance of joy right now since for the first time EVER, the lovely Amanda C has clearly posted something more crazy than me. Scientology and spice mind control? Yes!

I have to agree with her (partly by contract). People will have this open packet of sage and say, "When the hell am I going to use this again?" and toss it. That's What Americans Do.

Did you know that when Jerry Lewis was alive he wore a pair of socks only once and then threw them out?

Rev'Ed: Touche on the Onan reference. I immediately thought of Mark 14:4 and Matthew 26:8 -- The Alabaster Jar of Ointment. http://www.thebricktestament.com/the_life_of_jesus/jesus_and_the_poor/mk14_03pmt26_07.html .

After reading the 26 replies that are here so far, my first thought was:
LIGHTEN UP!
I applaud The Queen for letting us know about this product. None of us may like it, or use it, but it is nice to know that it is out there. And for the people that will use it, that is their choice. It is a clever idea, after all.
If it was on the Soccer blog than yes, I would take it as a shameless plug, but it IS appropriate for a foodie blog.

Gotta love the Lego Bible. I love to toss Onan in there once in a while. Dorothy Parker named her canary Onan, because he spilled his seed upon the ground.

That nard story really is disturbing and pessimistic.

I was at, don't laugh, a TGIFridays in Panama once and one of the bartenders wore a name tag that read "Onan". Not a great name for a kid in a Catholic country.

I'm silently screaming, OH PLEEEZE!

This is the most pathetic thing that I've ever heard of. I'm not even going to elaborate; it's that stupid. I'm just going to a corner and breath into a paper bag until the urge to rant wears off.

Jerry Lewis died?

Man, first the Smurfs and now Jerry Lewis.

How am I missing all of this?

Who really throws them away anyways?

I do. Once a year, I toss the leftovers and buy new. Not every 6 months, though.

I'm guessing that lazy people will not just throw out the packaging but the leftover spice as well. No, a certain percentage of folk will take the open packet, fold over the end and put a paper clip on it. The lovely little tin will be saved to hold loose buttons. The heirs will toss it all, as they clean out the house.

The exuberance for this topic is krazy. I thought I would be the only cranky naysayer and now I feel terrible, a little. Apparently we think about spices a LOT more than we realized.

I do not understand how this would be a shameless plug on the soccer blog. Smart Spice? Posh Spice? Victoria Beckham? David Beckham? Soccer? Really? That's long way to go. Or maybe I'm just slow today.

I will give Rev. Ed the left turn award for leading us into temptation.

♪ I think I'm turning Japanese. ♪

Thanks EL for the heads up. Obviously there is a waste factor to consider, but on the other hand, people who use spices so rarely that this would appeal to them are clearly not going to be filling up landfills with half-used spice packets. In that way, the waste issue is somewhat of a red-herring.

I cook so rarely that I still have spices from Kroger (down south), which means I bought them pre-1996. And I still use them in a pinch instead of paying $6 for a new jar that will sit around mostly unused for another 12 years. And they seem to be relatively fine. I probably don't cook anything that requires an ultrafine spice palate anyway. The only spices I have in high rotation are red pepper, Old Bay, and grilling blends.

Just for fun, however, because Skin made me totally crack up, I think I'll throw out the marjoram tonight.

Read here about a company that recycles used Capri Sun, Oreo cookie bags, plastic bags and other items into a myriad of products.
They have a range of products: shower curtains, tote bags, lunch bags, etc.
This could tie into the post and story about using reuseable tote bags at the grocery store...
And no, I have no ties to the company.

I wonder if this might be a way to get people to make recipes with more than five ingredients.

I can see it now: Some shady looking character lurking in a shady looking corner of a supermarket and whispering to the women going by while opening his raincoat :Psst, lady, want some spices? Here just try a sample. I got oregano, marjoram, chile flakes, lots more. No charge, the first one is always free."

If it works for the drug dealers, why not for foodies?

Wow, this is a bit ironic. Just this weekend my gf was making some dip for a party that called for dill. As we were at Wegmans getting the ingredients for it she saw that the dill was ~$5.

Let's just say that nobody missed the dill in the dip!

Something tells me I will be seeing these spice packets in my Christmas stocking next year. Beats Godiva, although I would prefer bourbon airplane bottles for football games.

I am somewhat appalled by this thread. Who knew so many people cared so much about spices and/or wasteful packaging? Having said that, I must say I keep all my red spices in the fridge and they seem to last for years that way. For other spices I use the sniff test before using. And I grow my own fresh herbs in the summer (what I can keep away from the hordes of bunnies and chipmunks, that is).

Please tell us about the fire at Metropolitan. How did it happen? How long will we have have to wait for it's return? It is such a loss.

I glanced at this thread this morning and thought...hmmm...well...nothing. How hilarious to come back to 44 comments and still going strong! I have to agree with Dahlink - who knew so many cared so much...about spices??? But then again, I still have a small red metal can of McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice in my cabinet...(and my pumpkin pie still tastes pumkin pie-ish....) so who am I to judge?

Alright OMG, you are right. It would have been a shameless plug on the lacrosse blog. I stand corrected :-)

Just an aside. Jerry Lewis is not dead.

Oh man, I can't believe I missed all of this drama today. This job of mine is really cramping my afternoon web browsing.

I thought I could at least come in and make a Posh spice joke, but oh no...OMG had already swooped in.

Um, where does one find Penzy's spices? I've never seen the brand.

RoCK, I'm with you. We missed everything today. I wonder what these people do for a living that they have time to gripe about small-packet spices all day on the internet.

Dottie - there is a catalog. But be forewarned, it reads like spice porn. Really.

Dottie - they have a store now in Rockville, but I've been buying from them for years, first though their catalog and, in the past few years, on the internet.

Dottie, be forewarned: They have recipes, both online and in the catalogs (recipe cards in the stores, too).

Penzey's is the best thing in Spice World.

http://www.penzeys.com/

They are a fairly small company that has some retail stores but is mostly mail order/web order. Their customer service is A1 ichiban. I prefer getting everything via the web. I have been dealing with them for ten years and am proud to say that there is not a McCormick product anywhwere on my spice rack.

Penzey's claims to grind their spices in small batches and seek out higher quality products than the big corporations. I tend to believe them because the smell of identical products from Penzey's and others is SO different.

Also, they sell in bulk RESEALABLE bags or normal sized and half-sized jars. Either way, all their jars are stackable, McC's are not. The little things matter.

You know me, if I can get hard data, I will. Let's go dilly dallying...

Mccormick Gourmet Dill Weed - .5 Oz
$6.15 ($12.30/ounce)
Source: Safeway, local

Penzey's
Dill Weed 4 oz. bag $6.49
So if you are a weed maniac you can get 8 times the amount of a fresher better quality product for about the same price.

Say you just want a little now and then:
Dill Weed .3 oz. 1/4 cup jar $1.69
You get a half size stackable jar with more than half the product for $5.63 /oz, about half the price per ounce.

See why I love them?

Penzy's has a great jamacian jerk seasoning. Never found anything else come close. Great for seafood on the grill or to spcie up a tuna sandwich.

I'm with OMG. Penzey's is awesome. Been buying from them for about 15 years now.

Once, before my mom got on the net, she sent them an untotaled order sheet, with apologies, because her cat had been ill on her calculator (Mom is dyscalcic).

She got back her order with a handwritten note that the packer hoped her cat was better and that it was no trouble totaling it up.

If you go to one of their stores, be sure to smell the different cinnamons and cassias. You will be amazed how different they are.

I did the sniff test with the cinnamons at home (used them all) and made my friends do it too. They were not that into it. The other amazing test is their different whole black peppers (4 varieties) - all distinct and vastly superior to any of that crap from the giant pepper mill at a restaurant. Their curries are terrific too, especially the Maharajah Style Curry which has a distinct taste of quality saffron. It will change your idea of what Indian curry powder can be.

And we've come back to a love fest courtesy of Penzey's.

I have been wanting to try Penzey's Jamaican jerk seasoning.....I will order some today. Thanks Holly....

Any time! It's really good. I'm sure you would like it on chicken as well but I always use it on seafood!

Thanks, y'all! I LOVE catalogs and on-line shopping, so now I have a new one to add to my addiction...COOL!

As I write this there are 60 comments before me. You would think we were discussing Old Bay v. No Old Bay in CRAB CAKES, not packaging spices. Amazing.

RtSO, you'll have to admit, spices are (I gotta say it) the spice of life.

Well it spiced up Monday.

An easy test for whether you've had any McCormick's spices too long: if it says "Baltimore" rather than "Hunt Valley" on the can/jar/bottle/box, it's time for them to go . . .

Also would like to put in a plug for The Spice House, a great operation out of Evanston and Milwaukee. http://www.thespicehouse.com/ Small business, very responsive, great web site, and great blends (in addition to single spices). As far as I'm concerned, no home should be without their "Lakeshore Drive" blend - "chives, scallions, freshly-ground green peppercorns, hand-grated shallots, salt, onion and garlic powder." I go through at least one jar a year, sometimes more (no outdated spices with this baby). They recommend it for fish and vegetables, and I also use it on eggs. It makes almost anything taste better. And, they also sell a salf-free version of this and many other blends.
No personal affiliation at all with these folks!

The Spice House and Penzey's are two different companies but run by the same family.

Here is an interesting read:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/349077