Buy in bulk, but not too much.
On the bottom shelf of our refrigerator door was a quarter-used J U M B O Heinz ketchup bottle. This ketchup bottle has become a permanent fixture in the fridge for as long as I can remember and expires in a month - thank god. This time I opened the fridge, I thought to myself, “buying in bulk is good except when it isn’t.” I’m using a stock photo of a mini ketchup to save you from the real life crusty, sweaty abomination. Don’t get me wrong, I like ketchup and I am a big fan of buying in bulk for the right ingredients. But I do have a few parameters so that ingredients in the house do not overstay their welcome.
Some of the main reasons for buying in bulk are the cost savings, reduction in packaging, and reducing the chance of running out of something essential. In my household, we love bulk for grains like quinoa, brown rice, all purpose flour, and frequently used spices like red pepper flakes, granulated onion, and whole peppercorns. We have designated an entire wrap-around shelf of our pantry for dry goods in OXO Canisters, in which most are bought in bulk since they are decanted anyway. However, more is rarely better for the majority of ingredients even in a household that likes to cook. When determining if bulk is better for an ingredient, the two most important factors I consider are (1) storage space and (2) expiration date.
(1) Storage Space - Ingredients purchased in bulk often require a large pantry canister or a sizable spot in the refrigerator/freezer. While this alone should not be a deterrent if the ingredient is frequently used, briefly considering “where will this tub of mayonnaise go” while still at the store can help filter if the required storage space is worth it. Bulk food is the first to become the clutter in your pantry making it harder to see what you have, beginning the cycle of over-buying in general.
(2) Expiration - It can be comforting to feel “stocked up”. This pattern (understandably) came out in a big way for many people with all the uncertainty in 2020. I think many of us find solace in planning ahead and being prepared. The subconscious anxiety from the fear of being without can condition us to fall into the trap of purchasing more dried beans or canned soup “just to have on hand” because of their long shelf life. But the time will pass. And even shelf-stable foods expire or pass their fresh date quicker than anticipated. If you cannot finish something in a couple months or reasonably ahead of the expiration date, get a smaller size for maximum freshness and space saving.
Our family likes ketchup but we don’t cook french fries or burgers at home enough to use 64oz of ketchup. For our family, a medium ketchup is just fine. A normal sized ketchup would save me from being unreasonably annoyed every time I see it taking up half a shelf, but I am aware that this is a personal problem and “annoyance” should not be the third factors to consider.
Emma Chamberlain had the opposite reaction and confessed she has developed an emotional connection to her ketchup that’s been with her since she moved to LA. You’ve been warned about the dangers of buying a bigger size than you need.
