The pantry is having it's moment and I'm so here for it!
A favourite part of my kitchen is my Pantry it's where my OCD lives and breathes! Apparently my pantry is a Bantry = not quite a pantry but a bar and pantry combined, with all the pantry staples and spices labelled and on display (see photo).
It seems I'm not the only organised pantry lover with the latest report from Houzz finding that 40% of homeowners are adding a walk-in pantry with 12% adding a butler’s pantry. The beverage stations are also on the rise but I'll cover that separately. Being an avid pantry organiser over the years I've crawled the internet looking for storage solutions, jars and labels and it's easy to lose yourself and lot's of money but the truth is; having a nice pantry display doesn't have to cost hundreds if you have access to some basic materials and some creativity.
Here are my common three pantry habits I swear by:
1. Keep the most used everyday ingredients on display
Food hidden at the back of a cupboard is easily forgotten; half packets of cereal, broken pasta and out of date rice. By keeping your food in glass jars (plastic might seem cheap but breaks down after repeated washes and age which can up as micro-plastics in your food) it keeps food fresher longer, keeps weavils and bugs out and reduces food wastage.
Printed labels, like the ones on my spice jars in the picture look so good and I'm obsessed with them but they have to be hand-washed without getting the label wet. I keep these nice ones for the spices and use my Dymo label maker for the pantry jars so I can replace when needed. Before that I used to cut out the name out of the packet and sticky-tape it to the front of the jar on place it in the jar.
2. Choose Glass Jars over Plastic
Glass is a highly sustainable product that will last for years in it's current state. All you need do is change the labels. Plastic might seem like a more budget-friendly option but it cracks and breaks down after repeated washes and age which can up as micro-plastics in your food. There are many places to buy in-expensive glass jars, you can go to your Nan's and ask her, I'm sure she has a cupboard full or you can recycle the food jars from your shopping. A look down your supermarket aisle can also provide some great options: the Maille mustard jars make excellent pots for cactus or vases for flower cuttings, Tomato Passata or spaghetti sauce jars are great for rice and pasta, jam jars and the cucumber/gherkin jars come in large sizes perfect for pantry display,
3. Organise your spices
Never underestimate the satisfaction of looking at your well-organised, clearly displayed spice rack in the kitchen. Not to mention the time it saves in the middle of cooking; mine is behind the stove and it's made a huge difference to the amount of mess I make trying to find the right spice at the right time. There are plenty of jars out there to choose from (we have some to purchase too) or start saving jars instead of putting them in the bin or recycling.
I purchased my labels online and bought the entire list so I can keep the same look as I grow the spice rack. The spice rack was handmade by my husband (yes we take orders)
Farmhouse pantry style isn’t about achieving a wall of perfect jars it’s about keeping food well, wasting less and making everyday cooking easier. It's about making you smile when you look at it.
This weekend, start with one shelf. Clear it, check what you own and reorganise before buying a single storage product.
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