Which brand of spices do you think is best?

[olderandnonthewiser]

I’m looking for smallish quantities of decent quality spices, such as cumin, garam masala, ras el hanout. Supermarket own brands are a bit bland, and online seem to be in too large a quantity(I wouldn’t use it all quickly enough).

Small packets rather than jars would be a bonus

I've found Rajah OK, with the packets about the right size for us. Bodrum is OK too.

I've found the packaging on Natco to be poor quality - brittle and prone to tearing, which is not what you want with turmeric...

I buy Tesco own, as I like the square bottles!

I worked for Schwartz many years ago, & stick with them as far as possible.

Hygiene standards were very high - especially for herbs & spices that were not subject to high heat in the cooking process.

I normally buy Bart but only because I like the packaging.

@oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends that’s really interesting. I had assumed their quality would be poorer as they’re such a mass producer.. obviously wrongly

I like east end

I'm a Bart user- was previously supermarket own (any) occasionally Schwartz if on offer but was surprised with how fresh and full of flavour everything is. Can be pricey so buy when on offer.

I like Sainsburys jars as my measuring teaspoon fits in nicely but I top up with spices from a world foods shop. I keep the packets in sealed, numbered boxes and have a book with what's in each box.

As a big producer, they can call the shots & get good quality raw materials.

The little chaps have to make what they can out of what's left over.

I like Sainsbury’s jars as they look cute. I refill with various methods.

Tesco packaging is rubbish as not air right. M&S or Sainsbury’s are good. Or Schwartz or Bart but more pricey.

I think Schwartz spices are terrible quality. Bart are much fresher and taste of something while Schwartz are just bland. Unfortunately Bart are ££££.

Given the much lower cost I just buy the Indian brands from the world food aisle. The packet I’ve just opened has a bbd of JUL 26 so good for nearly two years. Even if you can’t use it all it works out at a much lower cost and far better flavour than the Schwartz spices.

I go for Rajah or Natco brands. The packs range in size from small to huge.

We use Steenberg’s organic. Very high quality spices and the little glass jars look great too. https://steenbergs.co.uk/herbs-spices/organic-herbs-dried

Oh these look great!

I'm very lucky because there is a fantastic wholefoods shop in Aberystwyth that has a spice room where they can be bought by weight 🫶

As PP have mentioned Rajah, Natco, also KTC if you don’t have a local independent store, check out the world food aisle in your supermarket. I never buy Schwartz, overpriced and poor quality.

Also very lucky to have lots of independent stores on the doorstep and can get just about everything and anything, from durian fruit to lions mane mushroom, and I’m not even in a big city! very blessed

Another vote for Natco and Rajah

We use TRS, after going on an authentic Indian cooking course