Grind spices fresh (like coriander) for the best flavour
Buy certain spices whole and grind them right before cooking to get noticeably better flavour than pre-ground.
For spices like coriander (and similarly pepper/cardamom), purchase them whole and grind only what you need. Pre-ground versions can taste flat compared to freshly ground. You can grind with a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder.
The short version
- Whole spices keep flavour longer than pre-ground.
- Grind only what you need, when you need it.
- Mortar & pestle or coffee grinder both work.
What you need
- mortar and pestleoptionalHand-grinding option
- coffee grinderoptionalConvenient option for grinding spices
What goes wrong
Relying on pre-ground spices for maximum flavour
Buy whole spices and grind just before using.
Why it works
Whole spices retain volatile aromatics longer; grinding right before use releases those aromatics into your food.
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