Spice It Up: How to Choose Herbs, Spices, and Teas Without Getting Duped
A Practical Guide to Buying Herbs, Spices & Teas That Actually Work
You walk into the spice aisle with good intentions: “I just need cinnamon.” Fifteen minutes later, you’re sniffing jars of “pumpkin pie spice” that smells like sadness and wood chips.
Sounds familiar?
Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of herbs, spices, and teas — where oregano might actually be crushed weeds, and peppermint tea? Mostly “natural flavoring” and dust.
Let’s break down how to choose high-quality herbs, spices, and teas, so your cooking actually tastes like food and not faded memories, and your body gets healed, not hexed.
🌶️ Whole Spices: The VIP Backstage Pass of Flavor
Whole spices are like a VIP backstage pass to your food’s full potential — bold flavor, real benefits, and no watered-down nonsense. They bring the raw, unfiltered magic straight to your plate and your body.
Why whole spices are the real deal:
Longer shelf life — up to 4 years when stored right
Better flavor — essential oils are preserved until you grind them
No mystery ingredients — what you see is what you get
Examples:
✅ Bay leaves
✅ Black peppercorns
✅ Cinnamon sticks
✅ Cloves, cardamom pods, caraway seeds
Pro tip: Grab a small spice grinder or a mortar and pestle. You don’t need to be a wizard — just grind what you need, and boom: full flavor unlocked.
👎 Ground Spices: The Expired Mixtape of the Pantry
We all have that old jar of ground nutmeg from a college apartment. Time to let it go.
The problem with pre-ground spices:
They lose potency in 6–12 months
They’re often bulked up with fillers or anti-caking agents
You don’t always know what you're actually getting
If you must buy ground, make sure it:
Comes from a reputable brand
Has no added ingredients
Smells strong when you open it
No scent = no flavor = no point.
🌿 Dried Herbs: Not All Green Stuff is Created Equal
Dried herbs are nature’s little life coaches — they can take us from “ugh” to “heck yeah”… but only if they haven’t kicked the bucket themselves.
Look for:
Whole-leaf herbs (not fine powder)
A fresh, strong aroma when crushed
Brands that label the harvest date or origin
Avoid:
Herbs that look like green sawdust
“Italian seasoning” with added salt or sugar
Anything that smells like old paper
If it doesn’t smell like much, it won’t taste like much either. It’s not magic — it’s chemistry.
❄️ Frozen Herbs & Spices: Why Buying Frozen Is the Real Deal
If you want herbs and spices that taste fresh, vibrant, and full of life, frozen is where it’s at.
Why buy frozen herbs and spices instead of freezing at home?
Frozen herbs are usually harvested and flash-frozen at peak freshness, locking in flavor and nutrients
Commercial freezing methods are more hygienic and efficient than home freezing
No freezer burn, no soggy mess — just ready-to-use freshness
Perfect for herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley, and spices that lose punch quickly when dried
Pro tip: Keep a stash of frozen herbs in your freezer — it’s like having a fresh garden on demand!
🧂 Pre-Made Seasoning Blends: The Sneaky Saboteurs
Sure, pre-blended seasonings sound convenient — until you flip the label and realize you’ve bought 90% salt and 10% disappointment.
What’s lurking in those mystery blends?
MSG, sugar, maltodextrin (aka sneaky poison)
Fillers like “natural flavors” (translation: more sneaky poison)
Cheap herbs puffed up with additives that preserve profits, not your health
Better idea:
Make your own blends using high-quality spices. That way, you control the:
Salt
Spice level
Actual ingredients
Your taste buds (and blood pressure) will thank you.
🍵 Herbal Teas: Steep with Caution
Herbal teas should be a healing, soul-soothing experience — not an overpriced mug of dusty hay and “flavoring.”
Choose:
Loose-leaf or whole-ingredient teas — you should see actual leaves, flowers, or chunks of root
Organic or clean-label brands
Single-ingredient teas (e.g., chamomile, peppermint, ginger root)
Avoid:
“Detox” teas with sketchy laxatives
Teas with “flavor” instead of actual herbs
Bags that smell like cardboard and taste like disappointment
Rule of thumb: If you can't identify what’s in the bag, it probably shouldn't be in your cup.
🛒 Where to Buy the Good Stuff
Quality spices and herbs don’t have to break the bank — you just need to shop smarter.
Best places:
Ethnic grocery stores
Natural food co-ops or spice-specific stores
Reputable online shops
Avoid: Discount chains, dollar stores, or anything with a cartoon chef on the label.
🧴 Storage Tips: Because Flavor Hates Light and Air
Store in airtight glass jars
Keep them in a cool, dark cupboard (NOT above the stove)
Write the date you bought them on the jar
Freeze whole spices if you're not using them often
Final Stirring Thoughts
Spices, herbs, and teas are the quiet powerhouses of your kitchen and natural medicine cabinet. When you choose whole over ground, clean over cheap, and fresh over convenient, your meals taste bolder, your tea soothes deeper, and your spice drawer becomes a source of joy instead of mystery.
Choose wisely, store smart, and remember:
If it smells like cardboard, it probably tastes like it too.
Now go forth, herb hero — your curry, your soup, and your sleepy time tea await. 🍵🌿✨🫚
Want more?
Hit Reply to this email or drop a comment below and tell me:
What’s your favorite spice or herb?
Do you grind your own spices or go pre-ground?
Any kitchen spice wins or disasters you want to share?
I read every message and would love to hear from you!
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Natural Remedy Series | genuineprospect | Dr Lidiya Angelova | Substack
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Another informative article, thank you dr. Angelova. I mostly like cinnamon in grounded form but from reputable source with correct smell and taste and bayleaves. In wintertime my mom and I put little grounded cinnamon in green tea as I heard it helps to protect against flu, so far it worked it's magic. Bayleaves we put mostly in dishes which are known to cause bloating. Oh yes and black cumin seeds and cumin seeds I put into dishes especially at wintertime also. Sucess story was cinnamon rolls well it's hard to fail with cinnamon 🙂.