Free offer from The Spice House - plus free shipping

[Cooking Goddess]

Through tomorrow night, if you spend $25 or more at The Spice House, you can chose one of two free offers:

SANSHO for free Sansho Japanese Peppercorns.

HAZELNUT for free Hazelnut Hot Cocoa Mix.

Shipping is free with your $25 order, too (normally $49 minimum). However, they will ship anything free, even just one item, if you order a "Flatpack". I am so glad that they've gone to this system. Since I have a great supply of glass spice/herb jars that I reuse, I've always ordered my restock items in bulk bags anyway. However, often that plastic bag holds way more than a 1/2 cup jar does. I'm trying to use down my vast stock of herbs and spices, so it's nice to know I can order up just enough of something that will be used right away without having to buy spices at the grocery store. *shudder* It does cost more per ounce to buy the flatpack, but sometimes bigger isn't better.

 

[WhateverYouWant]

without having to buy spices at the grocery store. *shudder*

Hey CG...

Maybe I'm missing something here but these guys seem kinda pricey to me, even when compared to the local grocery store (and my local grocery store is expensive). For instance, the spice I'm about to run out of is cumin powder:

The Spice House = $2.72/oz (2.2 oz jar)

Local Safeway = $2.30/oz (2.3 oz jar)

Herbco.com = $0.46/oz (4 oz ziploc foil bag)

 

[GotGarlic]

Hey CG...

Maybe I'm missing something here but these guys seem kinda pricey to me, even when compared to the local grocery store (and my local grocery store is expensive). For instance, the spice I'm about to run out of is cumin powder:

The Spice House = $2.72/oz (2.2 oz jar)

Local Safeway = $2.30/oz (2.3 oz jar)

Herbco.com = $0.46/oz (4 oz ziploc foil bag)

I haven't bought from the Spice House, but I buy my spices from Penzeys; they're sort of related. The difference in quality is amazing. It's well worth the extra expense because they're so flavorful, you can use less, and they fill the jars so full, you have to be careful opening them because they might spill [emoji38] Also, both companies have frequent discounts.

As with so many things, you get what you pay for.

 

[skilletlicker]

I noticed this thread when CG first posted but didn't really have anything to contribute.

The Spice House was a topic covered in Mark Bittman's newsletter today. I was impressed by the idea of "flatpacks" and free shipping on them even if you only buy one. Out of curiosity, I picked a spice I used to use often but haven't bought recently and compared it at The Spice House and Penzey's sites. The Spice House has annato seeds or achiote at ½ cup flatpack option for $4.49 with free shipping compared to Penzey's ½ cup jar for $6.29 plus $8.95 ground shipping charges to my neck of the woods.

Seems like a viable choice to me so I added The Spice House to my shopping bookmarks.

 

[Kayelle]

I noticed this thread when CG first posted but didn't really have anything to contribute.

The Spice House was a topic covered in Mark Bittman's newsletter today. I was impressed by the idea of "flatpacks" and free shipping on them even if you only buy one. Out of curiosity, I picked a spice I used to use often but haven't bought recently and compared it at The Spice House and Penzey's sites. The Spice House has annato seeds or achiote at ½ cup flatpack option for $4.49 with free shipping compared to Penzey's ½ cup jar for $6.29 plus $8.95 ground shipping charges to my neck of the woods.

Seems like a viable choice to me so I added The Spice House to my shopping bookmarks.

I've used the Spice House many times, but the "flatpacks" free shipping is new to me. GG has been talking about Za'atar lately, so I ordered some.
Thanks for the tip CG and SL.

 

[cookieee]

A little side note, I just found out that the owners of Spice House and Penzey's are brother and sister, very interesting.

I used to be a very good customer of Penzey's for years until they started the darn new shipping mess. Haven't checked lately.

 

[GotGarlic]

A little side note, I just found out that the owners of Spice House and Penzey's are brother and sister, very interesting.

I used to be a very good customer of Penzey's for years until they started the darn new shipping mess. Haven't checked lately.

New shipping mess? What do you mean? I order from Penzeys regularly (only when I have enough needs to get free shipping) and I haven't had any problems with it.

 

[cookieee]

New shipping mess? What do you mean? I order from Penzeys regularly (only when I have enough needs to get free shipping) and I haven't had any problems with it.

GG, this is just what I meant. I got to the point that I had quite a lot of spices and when I was getting low on 1 or 2, I didn't think I should have to pay that huge amount that they wanted for shipping. So I went to the grocery store. lol

 

[GotGarlic]

GG, this is just what I meant. I got to the point that I had quite a lot of spices and when I was getting low on 1 or 2, I didn't think I should have to pay that huge amount that they wanted for shipping. So I went to the grocery store. lol

There's nothing new about this. The superior quality of the product is most important to me, but YMMV, of course.

 

[cookieee]

What does YMMV mean?

 

[WhateverYouWant]

Your Mileage May Vary

 

[cookieee]

It's been a while so I checked their site. Yep, still charging more for shipping than most spices cost. lol

Order Value Regular Ground

$9.99 and under $8.95
$10.00 - $19.99 $8.95
$20.00 - $29.99 $8.95
$30.00 - $39.99 $4.95
$40.00 - $49.99 FREE

 

[Cooking Goddess]

cookieee, if you subscribe to either spice company's website, and/or follow them on Facebook, you will be able to find out when they have specials on shipping. Both offer free shipping with smaller orders (roughly $20) on fairly regular schedules. Both also offer freebies with minimum purchases. Both offer much higher quality products than grocery stores, not to mention many that aren't even offered in grocery stores.

I've ordered from both, but I usually buy from Spice House these days. Over time, when I've compared weight-and-price for the same item, the Spice House usually has the better $$ value. Now, with their Flat Pack option, I won't be comparing anymore. Like you, I don't want excessive inventory hanging around.

 

[cookieee]

Thanks SP & CG for your help and advice, greatly appreciated.

(and Julia Child lol)

 

[GotGarlic]

Current deals from Penzeys.

 

[powerplantop]

Just checked out the flat packs. Love this idea and they have a great selection.

 

[Kayelle]

Thought I'd mention another spice place I've had great luck with, and they have free shipping, plus free samples..My Spice Sage
https://www.myspicesage.com/

 

[strmanglr scott]

I buy from the restaurant supply store. The containers run about 16oz on average and the prices range from $9-$13 for any spice. I just got a 15 oz container of cumin, iirc it ran just under $12. Done paying $4-6 for those little tiny containers of spice.

 

[cookieee]

It is a hard choice to make sometimes. Buy in large amount, save money, but have most of it expire or buy in small amount, pay more and have faster turnover and fresher spices.

 

[GotGarlic]

It is a hard choice to make sometimes. Buy in large amount, save money, but have most of it expire or buy in small amount, pay more and have faster turnover and fresher spices.

Not for me. The flavor of Penzeys is so much better than any grocery store brand that I use them for practically everything I don't grow myself or herbs I never eat dried anyway (like cilantro and parsley). Stuff from the grocery store is simply not as good, no matter how fresh it is. And with Penzeys (and I'm sure the other online brands), you can choose a larger or smaller amount - there's not just one size like in the grocery store.

Spices don't really expire - they may lose flavor over time, but it generally takes much longer than most people think - closer to two years than one, and whole spices last even longer. Often it's good-tasting enough that you can just use a little more to get the same flavor.