I have written about the money-saving opportunities in the bulk spice and herb bins. What if those are not available to you and you don’t want to buy 8 ounces or a pound of something from places like San Francisco Herb Company? Look to big chain stores, house brand herbs and spices, and international grocery stores.
I was trying to find celery seed and mustard seed recently. I found they were no longer available in my store’s bulk bins. I priced what was available on the spice shelves and went to the next store. No bulk bins so I went to the spice shelves. The big-name brands were there but the house brand was also there for a considerable difference in price.
I could have paid as much as $3.87 per ounce for celery seed but the Kroger brand was $1.76 per ounce.
I could have paid as much as $1.91 per ounce for mustard seed but the Kroger brand was .95 per ounce.
If you have any international grocery stores in your area, check those, too. I found mustard seed at a South Asian store in 7-ounce and 14-ounce bags and both were .28 per ounce.
Be sure to check your options when buying spices and herbs. There are many options available to the savvy shopper.
