PrintDried Herbs.
I go to Mexican markets often and I've noticed that their dried herbs cost much less than dried herbs at other super markets. I grew up with my dad using oregeno, dried basil, red pepper flakes and all of those wonderful things, but he too bought the kind from Mexican markets that come in a cellophane bag, rather than a plastic container. For example, a plastic shake bottle of dried oregeno cost nearly four bucks at Walmart, but the very same thing in the "ethnic" aisle cost fifty cents.
Does anyone know why they are so much cheaper? Are they of a lesser quaility?
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9 Comments:
One of my questions would be freshness - but who knows about turnover at MegaGrocer, either? I would remind you that Mexican oregano is not the same as Italian or Greek oregano. Similar but not identical. However, the biggest difference would be packaging and labor costs, I believe.
lemons at 9:56AM on 04/17/08
The rational behind the quick comida items is that they are priced right and in a plastic tagged pouch for easy visual confirmation. They are not top quality and they are priced to sell. Your McCormick or high priced herbs and spices in a jar have lots of advertising and package design and focus groups and cost more $. Me I spend even more than that and go to Penzeys.com and buy my herbs and spices.
JerzeeTomato at 10:31AM on 04/17/08
I wouldn't even bother with the grocery store stuff, let alone something wrapped in cellophane, like Jerzee said, Penzey's is the place. Though here in Ohio, Penzey's is the same price as most of what our groceries carry. (Aside from the 90 min. drive it takes me to get there.)
Better yet, use fresh.
bobcatsteph3 at 11:52AM on 04/17/08
I've never done side by side comparisons or ever used Penzey's, but I have bought those cellophane packets of Mexican oregano and cumin. Considering that Mexican oregano is not available everywhere, and that the packets are small and turnover high enough in the places that stock it, I never once thought it would be stale. And it's always been very fragrant, the 2 or 3 times I've bought it.
Likewise cumin. The turnover is just so high for these very common spices that there isn't much chance to go stale. I'd assume the cumin in my local Mexican grocer would be fresher than the McCormick's jar in Kroger near my mom's house. I'd expect the opposite for something like rosemary or dill.
I'm not especially impressed with McCormick anyway, and buy most of my stuff in bulk these days (using the old McCormick jars).
So I'm with the packaging and labor and marketing reasons for the markup.
renzata at 12:53PM on 04/17/08
Another vote for Penzeys here.
HunterAnglerGardenerCook at 4:42PM on 04/17/08
I actually own a website that sells a lot of dried spices and herbs and very reasonable prices....the reason that ours are cheaper is that it is semi bulk....1.5 lbs of dried herbs....the amount saved on packaging is passed on to you!
athenafoods at 5:51PM on 04/17/08
Whenever possible use fresh. They are so much flavorable and add more personality to a dish.
Catharine56 at 2:02AM on 04/18/08
I have bought items from Penzey, but felt fortunate to find World Spice located in Seattle. The service is fast and personal and their products are above reproach. They have a unique way of selling - no credit cards taken - place your order, they pack and ship, usually the next day, and send an invoice with the order. You then remit a check. Their response is personal and careful. The owner - I think - is Tony Hill. He wrote an excellent book on herbs and spices. I refer to it often.
OTOH, I prefer fresh herbs when I can find the ones locally that I do not grow. Fresh dill comes to mind....
suegsf at 4:18AM on 04/18/08
Prices are probably low because they can buy it in bulk and sell it cheaper, since people are buying it often - feeding the cycle. Exchange rates might affect price too.
Packaging and advertising in MANY things can be 80%, if not 90%, of the cost. The quality may be the same, better, or worse...and I'll bet most people wouldn't know the difference after the dish is prepared. :P
Cassaendra at 7:43AM on 04/18/08