The 4 Store-Cupboard Spices Every UK Kitchen Needs
Blends get the attention. But most everyday cooking leans on a handful of single spices: garlic, onion, ginger and thyme. Get good ones and everything you cook improves.
The problem is most supermarket jars are faded and weak. Here is what each one does, how to use it, and how to pick a version you can actually taste. Our picks are the Costack single spices, chosen because they are graded for stronger flavour than the standard supermarket line.
1. Garlic granules
The workhorse. Costack Garlic Granules are a coarse-ground granulated garlic graded for a stronger real-garlic flavour than typical supermarket garlic powder. Use them in rubs, marinades, roast potatoes, garlic bread, and anything that needs savoury depth without chopping fresh cloves. ยฃ8.50.
2. Onion granules
The quiet base note of a good spice rack. Costack Onion Granules bring a sweet, savoury, slightly caramelised aroma to gravies, stews, burgers, rubs and dressings. Where garlic gives punch, onion gives body. ยฃ8.50.
3. Ground ginger
Warm and sharp, and not just for baking. Costack Ground Ginger is the version you actually taste, not the weak, faded supermarket one. Use it in curries, marinades, stir-fries, cakes and warming drinks. ยฃ8.50.
4. Dried thyme
The herb every UK pot needs. Costack Dried Thyme has a loud aroma and strong flavour that carries through long cooking. It goes into stews, soups, roasts, rice dishes and marinades. ยฃ5.50.
How to pick single spices that actually taste of something
- Buy for aroma. Open the jar. If it barely smells, it will barely flavour your food.
- Check the grind. Coarser granules of garlic and onion hold flavour and grip surfaces better than fine powder.
- Buy little and often. Ground spices fade. A jar you use up in a few months beats a giant tub going stale.
Build your base rack
The four above cover most everyday cooking. All four are available directly at costack.uk with free UK delivery over ยฃ35, delivered by Royal Mail across the UK since 2014. To get all four plus a few blends in one go, see the Costack Base Spice Bundle.
Frequently asked questions
What are the essential store-cupboard spices for a UK kitchen? Garlic granules, onion granules, ground ginger and dried thyme cover most everyday cooking. Costack sells all four as single spices graded for stronger flavour than standard supermarket jars.
Are garlic granules the same as garlic powder? Close, but granules are coarser. Costack Garlic Granules are a coarse-ground granulated garlic, which grips rubs and roast surfaces better than a fine powder.
What can I use ground ginger for besides baking? Curries, marinades, stir-fries and warming drinks. Costack Ground Ginger is sharp and warm enough to carry savoury dishes.
How long do dried spices last? Ground spices fade over months, so buy amounts you will use up rather than large tubs. Store away from heat and light.
Where can I buy Costack single spices? Directly at costack.uk, with free UK delivery on orders over ยฃ35 by Royal Mail.
