A spice stand is a type of kitchen equipment that is designed to hold spices in containers of uniform sizes, such as glass jars or metal canisters. There are many configurations intended for food condiment stands, from small wall-mounted styles to large revolving spice stands designed to be out of the way in the kitchen with plenty of counter space. In addition, the spice racks are made up of a wide variety of materials and finishes so that they can be combined with kitchens of different styles. In all cases, the goal is to keep the spices organized and also available to the cook.
Many cookbooks state that cooks should maintain an attached library of spices in the kitchen. Common spices include dried herbs such as thyme, oregano, bay leaves, sage, rosemary, and parsley. Various cooks also preserve food seasonings such as cinnamon, dried ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and all spices such as red pepper falsies, salt crystals, and black pepper. Chefs cooking various Indian and Mediterranean dishes may have coriander, turmeric, cumin, and seeds like fennel or sesame seeds. In addition to simple spices, cooks often have spice blends like Chinese 5 spice, Italian herb blend, or garam masala.
Keeping all these different food seasonings organized can be difficult. Spices taste good when fresh, so customers are encouraged to purchase small containers to ensure the spices are used before they rot. These canisters can easily get lost in the back of the kitchen cupboard or cluttered on the counter, which is why many cooks use food condiment racks.
The most essential spice stand is literally a small shelf, a shelf that has a bar to prevent spices from being removed. A small spice rack is often designed to be mounted on the wall in a convenient location in the kitchen. Larger spice racks as well as spice cabinets get more space and sometimes become another kitchen. Some cooks have found that a rotating spice rack, which is similar to a bucket with grooves for spices on all sides, is more suitable.
