What's your spice storage solution 6162

This is one of the first questions I'm going to ask when I get to the Pearly Gates: How do the packers of spices match the size of their cellophane-ziplock-packages that they sell to fit the standard jars. It is something that must have happened over the centuries with weights and measures and the spice trade.

The various spices that I buy will generally come in various sizes according to price or usage. Jars I have on hand are 1-2 pint, pint, (perhaps 1-1-2 pt. if they are available) quarts and 1-2 gallons. Some of the smaller jars come in different shapes. I have found that the small jars with small lids are not worth bothering with because I don't want to bother with 2 sizes of lids. These plastic lids are fantastic. I got so tired of the rusting lids and dropping the two-piece sets of lids on the floor when opening. Back to my point, when they package spices, they all seem to fit one of these jars. You get so you can eyeball your jar to use. But I certainly use my share of the big as well as the small. I use the big jars for dried fruits, nuts, coffee after opening a bag, etc., using quarts for things like dried milk from packages, misos. In other words, most things I buy in packages, I open, label and put in my refrigerator. I use quart jars to put tea in after I've opened a box, not necessarily to put in the frig. but for freshness. I do the same with sugars, salts, put them in a big 1-2 gal. jars, peppers. I'd start with some 1-2 pt.- or- pt. and quarts and see where you are and go from there. It's just one of those things that makes my life a little easier. When I come home from a shopping spree, my items just sit on the table until I feel like spending some time putting them in jars. I do have a 4 big doors for spices on a open-door cabinet close in the kitchen where I keep spices that I use a lot, and do keep a few in my most-used frig for easy accessibilty. But I prefer to keep the bulk in the refrigerator.

I just ordered today from Penzy's an 8 oz. bag of dried bell green peppers for this winter for soups and it will probably go in a quart jar if I'm lucky, an 8 oz bag of Vietnamese Cinnamon, an 8 oz. bag of Ceylon Cinnamon, 8 oz. bag of China Cinnamon & 4 oz. of Garam Masala. When I get them, they will all get repackaged. (I can't wait for my cinnamon - I've been out of the good kind -- have you read all the good things about cinnamon for health - even Dr. Rosenfeld was talking about it this weekend on TV.)

My refrigerator was one darned mess before I bought the extra one. Any one that loves to cook is very lucky to be able to have a second refrigerator.

I'll bet you'll be happy to get into your home. I know you are looking forward to it. Dee Dee