Submitted by splotchypeony t3_11614dr in washingtondc
Back in Texas the HEB had bulk spices and it was waay cheaper than buying a bottle. 1/2 or 1/4 of the price and you didn't need to get an unusable amount.
Wondering if any stores around here have spices in bulk so I don't have to spend an arm and a leg?
Edit: I'm in the Maryland suburbs if that helps
Edit 2: "in bulk" as in buying by weight, so you measure how much you want (thx u/EmmaWK)
Gtk thanks!
This is the answer.
Not bulk, but Badia spices are a fraction of the price of the main spice aisle. Find in Giant and such with the international foods.
I have pretty much fully transitioned to Badia. Just more economical regardless of the format.
Been long time since I’ve bought them from a bulk section, but honestly I should reconsider.
Thanks I may fall back on that.
Glut Food Co-op up in Mt. Rainier does this. It’s a little store so they might not have everything you want. They also do tea though.
Sounds like a neat place
It is a cool little shop. Nice down to earth kind of place that does a lot of bulk rice and stuff.
Yeah I wish more grocery stores sold in bulk. Lots cheaper and more environmentally friendly imo.
Definitely!
Also, now that I think of it the Takoma park- silver spring co op does bulk items as well.
Highly recommend the Takoma Park Silver Spring Food Co-op. They have an excellent bulk section that includes many spices!
That looks really cool ngl
You want MOM's organic market. 50+ spices, all bulk. I've never needed something they didn't have. 4 or 5 different types of salt, same for pepper & curry powder. 5 locations in MD so there's probably one close to you.
They even let you put the spices directly into your own jar, so long as you let them weigh the jar first.
Is MOMS organic and Yes Organic different?
Yes, they are competitors
Gotcha, thanks
Penzey's. Rockville Pike. The best.
Also falls church. Excellent quality and prices.
Do they do bulk like where you measure the amount you want?
No - Yes Organic stores do that. Penzey's sells in pre-measured jars and zip-top bags, and the price drops considerably as the amount goes up (and the bags are significantly cheaper, because you aren't paying for a jar). But the quality and selection at Penzey's is waaaay better than anything else around.
Oh, maybe not quite what I was looking for, but if I'll keep it in the back of my head if I want something niche. Texas was nice because you could get just a little bit of a spice you might not use much - I think I paid like 50 cents for white pepper that lasted me a year
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They have cheap spices but not spices in bulk, unless your H Mart is different...
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I think there are lots of people in this thread who may be unaware that buying bulk means buying by weight... so the bulk means that the store is buying in bulk, and you can buy as little as you want. https://homeinthefingerlakes.com/bulk-shopping-25-essential-spices-pantry/
I can understand the confusion coming from the use of the word "bulk"!
Oh that explains some of the responses thanks. I'll add an edit.
Thank you for asking the question, I've been wondering this myself. Too bad none of the responses so far are close to me.
Yeah I'm surprised none of the chains have it (that I've been to so far). HEB's in Texas were bigger than the ones here, so my guess is that bulk spices aren't mainstream enough to be profitable for smaller grocery stores (if that makes sense).
It's definitely more environmentally friendly, so it's ironic they don't sell them like that at Whole Foods.
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That's the Korean grocery yeah? I've never been but I've heard about it.
I also miss HEB.
😥
Mom's Organic Market. There are a bunch in MD.
Yeah someone else mentioned it thanks!
Mom's does and has spots in Alexandria, Ballston, and Ivy City.
Hit the nearest Indian store. Unfortunately most of them are in suburbs and not metro accessible. There is Dana Bazaar near White Flint metro station. Once you get off, it’s a 13 minute walk. Bonus- across from Mom’s Organic.
There’s a Patel Brothers in Adelphi that’s good too.
That's OK I have a car. Are they fun to go to? I know nothing about Indian cuisine.
Well, then prepare for a sensory overload.
Mom’s Organic Market has bulk spices as well as other bulk food and household items (e.g., beeswax and other goods for making your own personal care items). https://momsorganicmarket.com
Yeah a couple other folks mentioned it thanks!
If you’re willing to travel a bit, I’ve heard Trace Zero Waste in Vienna also has bulk spices. Unsure about the variety available. You can bring your own jars to fill.
That miiight be a bit far for me, but if I head down that way I'll check it out thx!
Back when Whole Foods was Fresh Fields they were a great source. Oh well.
Yeah I was surprised they didn't seem to have them.
The original out of Texas did when they opened their first store on P Street, but they’ve been bought and sold at least twice since then and they’ve greatly changed. I miss being able to go to the fish counter and buy heads and tails and trimmings - basically what they’d discard when they filet fish- for very cheap to use as a soup base.
Sprouts
Sprouts Farmers Market? I couldn't find any in the immediate DC area
Only Herndon, VA and Ellicott City, MD, but organic and sooooo fresh and aromatic.
YES natural markets. Several locations. Whole Foods, too , maybe . In the past, they used to at P St. NW, but I'm not sure if they still do.
Smile Herb College Park, MD
Thanks! Are they cheaper than grocers, or is it about the same?
What I have experienced is that they may have certain herbs that other stores do not.
Their site has a functional search option that displays price and size for a respective item.
Gotcha. Yeah I'm more looking to save $$ on spices since I never go through a whole bottle anyways. But if I need something niche I'll check it out.
Mason & Greens in Old Town or Barracks Row!
Not familiar with Old Town - what part of the DMV is that?
Sorry, that's Old Town Alexandria!
Oh thanks!
Check for a restaurant depot
They let you measure out how much you want?
They don't have everything, but Costco. They have maybe 20-30 different varieties is large containers. Like 12-28oz containers that are about the same price as the tiny ones on grocery stores.
OP is saying they can't finish using spices
I don't have a membership :(
Mega Mart Super Latino Market.
1101 University Blvd E, Takoma Park, MD 20912
Tons of spices for cheap + excellent produce.
Are the spices in bulk?
sorry, i forgot about the bulk ask. they sell all spices in a ton of measurements (up to a kg) but i do not think i have seen self-serve bulk.
Ah rip. Thx tho.
202markb t1_j94hi3f wrote
Yes Organic has spice bins. You won’t find rare stuff like Sichuan peppercorns or really expensive stuff like saffron or nutmeg but for the basics it’s good. I get bay leaves, white peppercorns, and hibiscus flowers there.