Grinding Spices in a Vitamix Blender: 5 Simple Steps

Do you want to know how grinding spices in a Vitamix blender can benefit your cooking? Grinding spices in a Vitamix is much faster than grinding them in a mortar and pestle.

This post will explore how you can use your Vitamix blender for grinding spices, the benefits of grinding spices with a Vitamix blender, and offer some tips on what types of blades work best for grinding different types of spice.

Using a Vitamix to grind spices is an easy and convenient way to save time grinding and add fresh flavor to your dishes. Find out why people have been switching from their old spice grinders to using their Vitamix for creating authentic spices.

Can you Grind Spices in A Vitamix Blender?

The short answer is yes, you can grind spices in a Vitamix blender. It is a very easy and convenient way to save time grinding spices.

Vitamix blenders are not just for making smoothies, milkshakes, and soups. A Vitamix blender can also be used for cooking by grinding your own fresh spices instead of buying ground or pre-packaged ones from the store.

You may be asking yourself what type of blades work best for grinding spices, so we will get to that in a bit.

What are the Benefits of Grinding Spices with Vitamix Blender?

Grinding your own fresh spices provides you with many benefits over store-bought ones. Some of these include:

You can control how fine or coarse your grind is depending on the blend setting. This allows you to create specific flavors and textures by choosing different settings when blending ingredients together. You also have more versatility since there are multiple speed options compared to traditional spice grinders which only offer one speed option.
When using ground spices from jars, they may not be as flavorful because their flavor has already dissipated after extensive exposure to air and sitting on a shelf.
When using pre-packaged ground spices, you have no idea how long they have been processed for or if there were any chemicals used during the grinding process.

What Types of Blades are Best When Grinding Spices?

A dry blade is best when grinding softer ingredients like fresh herbs, garlic cloves, onion flakes/slices (with skin removed), ginger slices/pieces (skinless), or small items like cardamom pods.

A wet blade works well with blending larger spices into smaller pieces in order to create more surface area. This allows for more flavors to be released. Some examples of spices that work well with a wet blade are cloves, cinnamon sticks/quills, or whole nutmeg seeds.

The Vitamix Dry Grains container is a container that is specifically designed for dry grinding. It is the perfect tool for grinding whole spices such as cumin seeds, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, and peppercorns.

Tips for Grinding Spices in a Vitamix

You want to use whole spices instead of pre-ground powders whenever possible because they tend to be more flavorful and fresh than those found in jars at the store.

You may find it beneficial to grind your own ginger or garlic cloves if you plan on making an Indian curry dish right away since ground versions provide better flavor quickly rather than grinding them and then storing them.

If you are using a Vitamix blender with a dry blade, make sure that your ingredients are not too wet as this will create some issues when blending them together.

You may want to let moisture evaporate from your spices first before grinding or run them through an oven/dehydrator process which can help reduce excess water content.

Grinding Spices in a Vitamix Blender: Step by Step Guide

Add your whole spices to the Vitamix blender.

Make sure that there is nothing wet or moist in the ingredients you are wanting to grind as this may create issues with blade rotation and may result in overheating.

You can use the Dry Grains container if using a dry blade for grinding, but make sure it has been properly placed on top of the base unit first before powering up the machine.

Start at variable speed setting number one which provides low power usage followed by gradually increasing speeds until desired consistency is achieved. This process should take approximately 30 seconds depending on the amount being ground and the flavors you desire. Different varieties release their flavor profiles differently when blending together like cardamom pods compared to cumin seeds.

Switch to high speed for 30 – 45 seconds in order to produce finer grinds, being careful not to overheat your spices.

What is the Best Way To Store Ground Spices?

Ground spices will last longer when stored in air-tight jars or tubs. This will help prevent them from releasing their flavors too quickly and ensures they stay fresh for longer.

Make sure that there is plenty of room left around jars/containers as ground spices can harden and clump up over time depending on humidity levels where you live (if it’s damp).

You may want to consider purchasing a separate container dedicated only to storing ground spices. This allows them to be kept away from fresh herbs which can absorb those flavors over time and not allow them to release their own unique aromas.

How Long Will Ground Spices Remain Fresh?

Ground spices can last for up to six months in an air-tight jar or container. However, ground versions tend to lose their freshness and flavor quickly when compared to whole forms of the same ingredients which can last up to 1-2 years.

Light and humidity levels can affect how long ground spices stay fresh as they are more susceptible to mold growth when exposed to moisture or humidity. Ground spices will last longer if kept away from exposure to light/air at room temperature.

If there is humidity present the spices can quickly become clumpy if not sealed tightly after use. This can quickly happen if not kept in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight/heat/air.

A lack of airflow will reduce shelf life over time so make sure you are checking on your jars/containers every few weeks by opening them and giving them a sniff. If you can’t smell the spices, chances are they’re no longer fresh and should be replaced.

You can also look at the color of your ground spices to see if they have faded or lost their vibrancy as this is a good indication that their flavors will not be optimal anymore.

What Should you do if your Ground Spices Lose Their Flavor?

If you find yourself with jars/containers of old spice mixes which don’t provide enough flavor anymore, consider adding new ingredients into them instead. This creates an entirely new blend while still allowing you to use up what’s already in storage rather than wasting it!

You can do this by adding one tablespoon of each ingredient per every three tablespoons of older ones that had diminished over time until the desired flavor is achieved again.

Are There Any Other Ways To Grind Spices?

A mortar and pestle can be used to grind up smaller amounts of spices or herbs. If using a mortar and pestle, add ingredients in small batches into the bowl. Using this option won’t give an even grind when compared to a Vitamix blender with a dry blade option.

A spice grinder can also be used in place of a Vitamix blender or mortar and pestle. These come in a variety of sizes and can be used for spices, nuts, or even coffee beans.

A food processor is another option that works well for larger batches if you plan on making curry dishes often. Blending times may take longer than using other options though depending on the size/quantity being ground up at once.

Grinding Spices in a Vitamix – Final Thoughts

Grinding spices in a Vitamix is an easy and convenient way to save time grinding and add fresh flavor to your dishes. Many people have been switching from their old spice grinders to using their Vitamix blender for creating authentic spices, and it’s easy to see why.

The benefits of grinding spices with a Vitamix blender are endless, so it’s no wonder that people would prefer the ease of use over traditional methods. If you’re looking for ways to make cooking more enjoyable, look into how you can use your own Vitamix blender to grind spices.

It’ll be easier than ever before – just think about all those times when you’ve wished there was another hand or two free. With this one simple kitchen appliance, you can throw away your mortar and pestle and make authentic ground spices quickly.