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If you love using mason jars around the home then you should consider mason jar spice organization to add to your style. After all, mason jars come in all shapes and sizes, so it makes sense to store your favorite spices in attractive jars.
Mason Jar Spice Organization – Buy in Bulk to Save Money
Using mason jars for spices is also a great way to save money by buying in bulk. You can purchase spices online or local stores that offer a bulk food section.
You may think that you need to purchase a large quantity to purchase your spices in bulk but you shouldn’t have to. In fact, many local places that offer spices in bulk will allow you to buy as little or as much as you need.
I happen to live near a few Amish bulk food stores, so I often buy my spices as well as other bulk foods for dry food storage.
I like to buy small quantities of specific spices to make my own homemade spice blends. Not only is this another great way to save money, but I can also control the ingredients I want to use. And as a bonus, these homemade spice blends make great gifts around the holidays!
Benefits of Mason Jar Spice Storage
Mason jars are the perfect solution for storing your dried herbs and spices. Because they are glass, you don’t have to worry about BPA or the glass jars absorbing the smell like plastic tends to do.
These Ball 4-ounce spice jars come in a package of eight and are the perfect size to hold your favorite spices. They come with screw-on lids and labels or you may opt for sift and pour lids and attractive chalkboard labels.
Another nice option is using these glass spice jars with flip-top lids that are air-tight. Not only are they stylish, but the air-tight silicone gaskets offer maximum freshness. This set comes in a pack of 24 along with chalkboard labels and a collapsible funnel for easy filling.
Best Spice Racks for Mason Jar Spice Organization
There are a wide variety of spice racks that will work for organizing your spices. If you plan to store your spices in a cabinet and prefer not to stack them, try using something practical like an elevated spice rack. The elevated shelves allow you to easily see which spices are in the back.
Storing your spices in a cabinet, pantry, or spice drawer is best (see freshness tips below), but if you are lacking space or just prefer your spices left out then they will look nice displayed on the wall or counter.
If you would like to display your spices on the counter, then you could opt for a mini mason jar spice rack that will fit in with your kitchen decor. One popular choice is the Swommoly Spice Rack Organizer. This organizer comes with 24 empty jars, blank and preprinted labels, as well as a funnel to make filling your spice jars a breeze.
Hanging spice racks are not only space savers, they are an attractive way to display your spices and fit in with any decor. I love this 4-Tier Black Country Rustic Chicken Wire Rack, which would look great in a farmhouse-style kitchen.
Tip: If purchasing your jars and spice rack separately, be sure to check measurements to make sure that the jars will fit into the spice rack of your choosing. You should be able to easily find these measurements in the product descriptions.
Keep in mind that the spice jars shown above aren’t traditional mason jars because they aren’t meant for canning. However, they are convenient, made of glass, and will look great in your kitchen. If you are more of a purist and want to use actual canning jars to hold your spices then you can opt for these 4-ounce wide-mouth mason jars that are typically used for canning jams, jellies, and preserves.
These jars are wider than typical spice jars but they still look nice and will stack neatly in your pantry or on your countertop. Each jar will hold 1/2 cup.
Mason Jar Spice Organization – Storing Spices for Maximum Freshness
A lot of people don’t consider the fact that spices do go bad over time. They may be dried, but after a while, they will start to degrade. You will notice they don’t have as much of a smell or taste, and the appearance may be off. Whole spices tend to last longer (around one to two years) while ground spices will typically last six months to a year.
Prepackaged spices generally have an expiration date to go by. When buying your spices in bulk, try not to purchase more than you will use up within a year or so. Always make sure you keep your spice lids closed tightly and if possible, store them in a dark, dry place such as a pantry or spice drawer.
You can usually tell when your spices are starting to go bad when they start losing their flavor, aroma, and vibrant color.
If you do choose to display your spices on the counter or in a spice rack then it’s best to store them away from the stove. This may seem inconvenient while cooking, but if you get into the habit of gathering the spices you need before you start your food prep then you will end up saving a lot of time.