Okay, I'm done buying those little glass jars from the supermarket. I needed cardamom last week and the jar was half empty and cost more than the chicken I was cooking. I'm in Flatbush but I'll travel if it's worth it.

Where are you all buying spices by the ounce? I don't need a pound of anything, just enough to refill jars. Is Sahadi's still decent or is it all tourist markup now? Any spots that don't give you side-eye for asking for a tiny bag?

Sahadi's is okay if you're already doing Atlantic, but the line gets long. I go to the Middle Eastern spots on Atlantic for sumac and za'atar. The bodega by me has those little packets of cumin and black pepper for next to nothing, but no cardamom as far as I know. Let me know what you find.

That jar markup is mostly glass, shipping, and someone arranging spices on a shelf. I keep a list of what I buy where, and it's changed the most for whole spices.

For whole cardamom, Patel Brothers in Jackson Heights is hard to beat. Yes, the bags look big, but you don't have to buy the jumbo one—there are smaller bags near the front, and you can decant into old jars when you get home. For smaller quantities of specialty things like amchur or fenugreek leaves, Kalustyan's is more expensive but useful because you can get just a few spoonfuls. Sahadi's on Atlantic is fine, but I wouldn't call it cheap for basics unless you stick to their pre-packed bags.

My real advice: buy whole spices, store them in the freezer, and grind small amounts as needed. Whole cumin, cardamom pods, black peppercorns, cinnamon sticks—these hold their flavor for months longer than pre-ground. I keep a sharpie in the kitchen and write the date on the bag. It's saved me from using stale coriander more than once.

If you're already in Flatbush, check the Caribbean markets for allspice, thyme, and bay leaves. For cardamom specifically, a Jackson Heights run is worth it if you combine it with a produce stop. Just go early on Saturday or on a weekday afternoon, because the 7 gets rough after 11.

One caveat: at any open-bin spot, smell before you scoop. High turnover beats a famous name. A busy South Asian grocer with dusty-looking aisles is often fresher than a fancy shop that hasn't sold cardamom in a month.

Harlem side, I hit the little Latin markets for cumin, oregano, bay leaves. Cardamom, not really. The trick is buy whole and grind it in a cheap blade grinder. I got a bag of cinnamon sticks that's lasted me a ridiculous amount of time. Don't sleep on dollar stores for cayenne and garlic powder, but check the label for salt and anti-caking junk.

Y'all are way more organized than me. I just ask my mother-in-law to bring spices from the Bronx and then never run out. But the Indian spot near Starling Ave has everything if you need it. I don't cook enough to be the expert here. My only real opinion: don't buy spices at Whole Foods unless you like paying fancy jar prices for stuff that tastes like dust.

I'll defend small-batch online ordering for a few things, but only if you can plan ahead and split with someone. Whole spices ship okay; pre-ground spices lose punch in a drawer no matter where you bought them.

For in-person small-batch, I actually skip the big names most of the time. The East Village has a couple small Indian grocers on 1st Ave that are fine for cardamom and cumin seed, and they're less crowded than the famous spots. That said, Kalustyan's is worth it for specialty items like dried limes or a specific chile blend, but I wouldn't do all my weekly cooking shopping there.

The bigger question is what you actually cook. If you mostly cook South Asian food, go to Jackson Heights and stock up once a season. If you're doing Middle Eastern or Mediterranean, Sahadi's and the Atlantic strip are still useful, especially early in the day. If it's Mexican or Caribbean, stay in the outer boroughs and skip Manhattan markup.

I keep a small box in my freezer with a few blends I make myself. Whole seeds, toasted and ground in small batches, taste better than anything in a jar. My rules: whole over ground, freezer over cabinet, date the bag, and don't buy a big bag of anything green like dill or parsley unless you'll actually use it—dried herbs in large quantities are a trap.

I'll say it: I buy the cheap Badia bags at Fine Fare. Not for cardamom, but for basics. My cabinets are full and I don't care. They cost pocket change. Haters can keep their glass jar tower.

Appreciate the recs. I didn't know Patel Brothers did smaller bags, I thought it was all giant sacks. Might do a Jackson Heights run next weekend and hit the produce while I'm there. Also stealing the date-the-bag Sharpie move.

Just came back from Sahadi's because I was in the neighborhood. No line at 11 on a Tuesday. Got sumac, cardamom pods, and dried mint for less than I used to pay for one supermarket jar. You do have to know what you want before they hand you a number, though. Also the little Lebanese spot two blocks down had loose tea way cheaper.

Good to hear. One thing people forget: if you're buying cardamom pods, crack them fresh instead of using pre-ground. Ground cardamom from an open bin loses its edge fast. And if you're doing Jackson Heights, go early on Saturday or a weekday afternoon. The 7 train gets too crowded for me after 11.