Choosing spices is one thing; keeping them organized and fresh is another. With size, cost, and style in mind, Real Simple searched the market for a spice rack that would do the job and came up with a do-it-yourself version: the Lee Valley watchmaker's kit shown here ($7.40, www.leevalley.com). Each lightproof case holds 15 aluminum containers that are easy to dip into with a measuring spoon. Stock them with herbs and spices from your local grocery store, or try an on-line source.

Remember that buying herbs and spices in small quantities helps ensure freshness. (Store any overflow in a shoebox in the pantry or a closet, out of the way of your work space and counters.) Fitted with glass tops and labels, the individual containers in these kits tell you at a glance when you are running low on lemongrass or sesame seeds. And unlike those bulky spinning carousel racks and spice ziggurats that approach the upper atmosphere in some kitchens, the entire box of 15 containers is compact enough to stick in a drawer or on your cookbook shelf.

The Basics Box

The Basics Box contains the 15 most commonly used herbs, spices, and seasonings, which no kitchen should be without. It will suit both the beginning cook and the baker. Real Simple recommends whole peppercorns and nutmeg over ground versions. The flavors of freshly ground pepper and freshly grated nutmeg far outweigh the inconvenience of preparation.

1. Bay leaves
2. Black peppercorns
3. Cayenne pepper
4. Chill powder
5. Cinnamon, ground
6. Cloves, ground
7. Ginger, ground
8. Kosher salt
9. Nutmeg, whole
10. Oregano
11. Paprika, Hungarian
12. Red pepper flakes
13. Rosemary
14. Thyme
15. White peppercorns

The Intermediate Box

If Asian and Indian dishes are on the menu, you will want to add this second box of spices to your kitchen. Filled with piquant chillies and fragrant fennel, the Intermediate Box adds heat and verve to your stew pot.

1. Allspice, whole
2. Ancho chillies, ground
3. Cardamom, ground
4. Chinese five-spice powder
5. Cinnamon sticks
6. Coriander, ground
7. Cumin, ground
8. Curry powder
9. Fennel seeds
10. Green peppercorns
11. Lemongrass
12. Mustard powder
13. Poppy seeds
14. Sesame seeds
15. Vanilla bean

The Gourmet Box

For the serious cook, there are no substitutes for the right ingredients. The Gourmet Box holds 15 more-exotic offerings, including fleur de sel (French sea salt) and fenugreek seeds, as well as celery seed and brown mustard seeds for those inclined to do their own pickling.

1. Brown mustard seeds
2. Cardamom pods
3. Celery seed
4. Cloves, whole
5. Coriander, whole
6. Dried red bird chilies
7. Fenugreek seeds
8. Fleur de sel (or sel de mer)
9. Juniper berries
10. Saffron
11. Star anise
12. Szechuan peppercorns
13. Turmeric
14. Wasabi powder
15. White mustard seeds

Resources

The Spice Hunter
www.spicehunter.com
800-444-3061
Since 1980, Lucia Cleveland, founder of the Spice Hunter, has traveled the world in search of great seasonings. She imports vanilla beans from Madagascar, cinnamon from Vietnam, bay leaves from Turkey, and white peppercorns from Malaysia. Today Cleveland sells more than 150 spices, including a line of organic spices. Every jar of SH spice comes with a customized recipe.

Penzeys, Ltd.
www.penzeys.com
800-228-4276
Penzeys, a family-owned company based in Brookfield, Wisconsin, offers a huge variety of whole and ground spices in a range of quantities, so you can order a 1.2-ounce jar of Hungarian paprika or, if you have it every day on your oatmeal, a 16-ounce bag of cinnamon. The Penzeys website and catalog include descriptions of every spice, as well as recipe suggestions and tips.