Handy Organizing Tips for Spices

I love cooking! Yep, nearly as much as I love EATING. :) So, I like to try new herbs and spices and extracts as often as possible. And you know what that means - a cluttery mess of a spice cabinet to deal with. That and the frustration of not being able to find the certain spice I want when I need it.

So - I want to share with you a handy dandy tip for organizing spices. In fact, more than just one tip! You use the one that works best for you and let me know how it goes.

1. Alphabetize - If this is your style (it's honestly not mine) you can alphabetize your spices and herbs and other goodies, making it very easy to find just what you're looking for exactly when you're looking for it. I've heard this is a lovely way to go about this particular task, but it makes me feel funny - LOL - honestly it does. But if it works for you, then I think it's the most logical choice.





2. Group similar items together - THIS is my choice. I'm working on my spice cabinet/baking cupboard and am going to use storage containers to put similar items together. For instance: baking soda, salt, baking powder, corn starch could all go in one container. Or, different flours could be sorted together, or different types of sugar such as brown, white and icing sugar. If you do a lot of baking, create one big storage box with all the essentials you use the MOST often - including measuring cups, measuring spoons, etc. It'll save you a lot of time when it's time to make your faaaaaabulous cookies.

3. The clear baggies method - I LOVE this one. I just buy the envelopes of spices, and once I open them I put them in a clear baggie and keep them standing up in the spice cupboard. You can get a little box and keep them all standing like that - it's easy peasy, slobbos! If you want to take it a step further you can store them in separate boxes: let's say one for baking spices, one for herbs, one for packets of seasonings or gravy mixes, etc. Then you just grab the box you need and voila, you have the ingredients at hand.