How to Make Your Own Spice Blends

Grind and mix your own spices.

When you create your own spice blends, you control the ingredients, including salt, which is often one of the main ingredients in store-bought spice mixes. Look for fresh, whole spices that you can buy in bulk and grind yourself. That way your spices will be even fresher and more flavorful.

Things You'll Need

• Spice or coffee grinder
• Assorted spices, such as paprika, curry powder, ginger and chili powder
• Salt
• Fresh ground pepper
• Cajun blend:
• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (more or less to taste)
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Instructions

1. Combine the desired spices in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Use a mortar and pestle to pulverize the whole spices. You can also use a coffee grinder and achieve the same ends.

2. Store in a jar in a cool place. Be sure to label each jar so you don't forget what's in it.

3. Experiment with exotic spices and flavors. Soon, you'll be creating your own custom spice blends that you can add to or change whenever the mood strikes.

Tips & Warnings

• If you find you use a lot of one particular spice blend, double the recipe so it will last longer.

• In an airtight container, most spice blends will keep up to three months.

• Package in a decorative jar, add a printed label and give your custom blends as gifts.

• Don't grind spices and coffee in the same machine. The flavors are difficult to get out of the grinder and will mix and taint each other.