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Hi All, I have noticed that a lot of recipes ask for pepper or other spices that can be ground. Is a spice grinder worth purchasing, or do the store bought flake spices work just as well? Thanks in advance.
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Walt Travers
TVWBB Fan
Steve --
I'm not too sure that I can honestly compare the merits of "botten" flakes vs grind your own, but here's an idea on spice grinders.
Before we bought our bean grinding coffee pot, we used a coffee grinder from the dept store. Once we no longer needed it, I claimed the prize and use it for grinding spices. It works great! Small enough to hold, while grinding, so you can shake it up and down to keep the spices going through the blades. Works much better than using a mortar and pestle -- which I tried a few times.
Seems like the price on the coffee grinder was about $15 - 20.
I'm not too sure that I can honestly compare the merits of "botten" flakes vs grind your own, but here's an idea on spice grinders.
Before we bought our bean grinding coffee pot, we used a coffee grinder from the dept store. Once we no longer needed it, I claimed the prize and use it for grinding spices. It works great! Small enough to hold, while grinding, so you can shake it up and down to keep the spices going through the blades. Works much better than using a mortar and pestle -- which I tried a few times.
Seems like the price on the coffee grinder was about $15 - 20.
Steve,
From the standpoint of convenience, you can't beat spices that are already ground, and they'll taste pretty good, too. But the general concensus is that grinding your own whole spices provides better flavor. Whole spices can also be stored longer with better flavor retention before use.
Regardless of whether you decide to go pre-ground or grind-your-own, if you're buying decent quantities you might want to check out www.penzeys.com . Their stuff seems to be much fresher and more flavor-intense that the spices you find in the grocery store.
As Walt says, a little electic coffee grinder is the way to go. Use a dedicated grinder...don't use one for both coffee and spices.
Regards,
Chris
From the standpoint of convenience, you can't beat spices that are already ground, and they'll taste pretty good, too. But the general concensus is that grinding your own whole spices provides better flavor. Whole spices can also be stored longer with better flavor retention before use.
Regardless of whether you decide to go pre-ground or grind-your-own, if you're buying decent quantities you might want to check out www.penzeys.com . Their stuff seems to be much fresher and more flavor-intense that the spices you find in the grocery store.
As Walt says, a little electic coffee grinder is the way to go. Use a dedicated grinder...don't use one for both coffee and spices.
Regards,
Chris
Pat Barnes
TVWBB Pro
I second the spice grinders! My son,who is a chef in Austin,gave me 2 Krups for XMas several years ago and said they were a
"must-have". I got a black one for coffee beans and a white one for spices and peppers.
I grow my own Cayenne peppers which I dry in a dehydrater and grind. I also use it for mixing already ground spice blends that show up in recipes. Once you get one you will really like it. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
"must-have". I got a black one for coffee beans and a white one for spices and peppers.
I grow my own Cayenne peppers which I dry in a dehydrater and grind. I also use it for mixing already ground spice blends that show up in recipes. Once you get one you will really like it. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
Kevin Taylor
TVWBB All-Star
Hi Steve...
I started using a burr-grind coffee grinder for my spices several months ago. It cost around $35-40..so a bit more expensive than the other type. I had used the regular coffee grinder for years and it works great.
With the burr-grinder, I like the fact I can grind them to a specific size. It can be ground very fine or very coarse. I like my dried peppers and dried garlic in very fine powder form, whereas my black pepper I like coarse ground.
Overall, very happy with mine!
Whatever you get, I think the whole spices that we fresh grind are indeed much more flavorful than what is bought at a store.
I started using a burr-grind coffee grinder for my spices several months ago. It cost around $35-40..so a bit more expensive than the other type. I had used the regular coffee grinder for years and it works great.
With the burr-grinder, I like the fact I can grind them to a specific size. It can be ground very fine or very coarse. I like my dried peppers and dried garlic in very fine powder form, whereas my black pepper I like coarse ground.
Overall, very happy with mine!
Whatever you get, I think the whole spices that we fresh grind are indeed much more flavorful than what is bought at a store.
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Steve-
I'll throw in my $.02 here as well. Just like Pat, I've got two Krups, the black one for coffee, the white for spices. When I first started Q-ing, I used the black one for both, but I think having a dedicated one for spices is the way to go. One other reason for grinding your own is that I haave seen recipes that call for heating the whole spice in a fry pan before grinding. Hard to do if the spices are already ground.
Good luck!
Ken
I'll throw in my $.02 here as well. Just like Pat, I've got two Krups, the black one for coffee, the white for spices. When I first started Q-ing, I used the black one for both, but I think having a dedicated one for spices is the way to go. One other reason for grinding your own is that I haave seen recipes that call for heating the whole spice in a fry pan before grinding. Hard to do if the spices are already ground.
Good luck!
Ken
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Thanks for the advice everyone, looks like I will go be going shopping for a spice grinder (I think I will wait untill after the holiday ruxh is over though!). /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
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