Question about buying spices in bulk

I was making chili last month and ran out of cumin. At the store, a small jar was almost $6. The guy at the bulk food section said I could get the same amount for about 75 cents if I used my own container. I felt so silly for always grabbing the fancy jars. Has anyone else found good bulk spots for basics like rice or beans?

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3 Comments

finley8206mo ago

Wait, have you actually checked the price per ounce? Sometimes those bulk bins look cheap but they're not always a better deal... I got burned last year buying cinnamon that way. The unit price was higher than the jar on the shelf once I did the math. It really depends on the store and the spice. I still use bulk for stuff I need a ton of, like rice, but I'm way more careful now.

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nina_knight996mo ago

Yeah @finley820, that cinnamon trap is real. I did the same thing with cardamom pods last fall. Felt so smart filling my little bag, then the receipt showed I paid like twelve bucks for two ounces. Now I just use my phone calculator right there in the aisle.

1

riley_price5mo ago

Wait, do you just stand there doing math in the spice aisle for everyone to see?

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