Kathy FitzHenry, founder of
Juliet Mae Fine Spices & Herbs, says it’s OK to buy certain spices in the supermarket, while others should be purchased from dealers or independent merchants. Supermarket spices often sit around for a long time, so consider shelf life when buying. Safer bets are nutmeg, clove, allspice, cardamom, and black and white pepper. For spices like coriander, paprika, cumin, and cinnamon, go to a spice merchant with high turnover and a consistent supply, or else you’ll end up with stale spices.