FAQ

How many jars do I need?

Most home cooks land on 24 jars for a well-stocked rack, but it depends on how often you cook and how many spices you reach for regularly. If you're just getting started or testing the system, our 12-jar set or sample bundle is a great way to dip in. Many customers start small and add more over time — the system is designed to grow with you.

Which size jar should I buy?

SMALL JARS: If you have access to loose/bulk spices at a natural food store, we recommend using small jars and refilling often. Your spices will always be fresh and will improve the quality of your cooking. If you do not have a bulk spice section at your grocery store, you can buy jars pre-filled or buy small refills from us! Small jars hold a shy 1/4 cup volume of spice. They are 2" tall x 1.75" wide, with a mouth opening of 1.25" across.

LARGE JARS: If you cook a lot, go with our larger jars! Large jars are similar to a typical grocery store container, and are a good option if you'll be transferring from standard spice containers. Large jars hold a heaping 1/2 cup. They are 2.5" x 2.5" with a mouth opening of 1.82" across.

Many people use a combination of small and large jars. A good rule of thumb is if a recipe usually calls for 1/2 tsp or less, you may want a small jar. Spices should be used up in 6-12 months. The vision of Gneiss Spice is to create a system where spices are easy to use, stay fresh and flavorful, and you are organized to know what you have. No more duplicates!

Are spices certified organic?

Yes! 99% of our offerings are certified organic. Not only that, they are ethically and sustainably harvested. And, most importantly, they are super fresh and the best quality you can buy.

There are a few spices that we have not been able to source with an organic certification (like my favorite, Turkish urfa biber!). If a spice is not organic, it is noted on the specific product pages. And a few others are grown organically, but do not have a certification. Each product page will list the details.

What are the dimensions of the jars?

Small jars measure 2" tall by 1.75" wide and hold a shy 1/4 cup volume. Jar mouth opening is 1.25" wide.

Large jars measure 2.5" x 2.5" and hold a heaping 1/2 cup volume. Jar mouth opening is 1.75" wide.

We recommend small jars for most spices, especially ones you use infrequently or in small amounts like cardamom, cayenne, cloves or nutmeg. However, if you plan to transfer standard grocery store bottles, purchase the larger jars.

Check out our helpful FAQ video where we compare the two jar sizes.

How fresh are the spices?

We source from trusted organic suppliers and blend in small batches to keep flavor at its peak.