It’s about that time of year when you start feeling an overwhelming need to clean everything. It’s time for spring cleaning! Don’t stress Soom is here to help! This list is a great starting point for restocking your pantry with the things you’ll need to prepare fresh, healthy meals for the new season!

1. Dried Herbs & Spices 

Did you know dried spices expire? Our friends at Burlap & Barrel say that quality spices last about 2 years from their original harvest date. Whole spices stay fresher longer than ground spices, which tend to lose flavor relatively quickly. So, go through your spices and replace the ones that have been lurking in the back of your pantry. Sage, thyme, and rosemary are some of our favorites to keep fully stocked.

 2. Nutritional Yeast

No, it's not the yeast for baking bread! Nutritional yeast is a type of culinary yeast that adds a "cheesy", umami flavor to all sorts of dishes. And yes! As the name suggests, it's full of beneficial vitamins, proteins and other nutrients. A vegan staple, great for adding in soups, salads, pastas, basically everything! 

3. Cooking Oils

Just like spices, oils can go bad, especially the ones made from delicate seeds like flax. (Try to keep your more volatile oils in the fridge to extend their shelf life and prevent them from going rancid.) Each oil has its own benefits, ideal for different cooking methods and temperatures. Olive oil, coconut oil, and a neutral-tasting oil like sunflower are great staples. 

4. Vinegar

A good acid can bring so much to a dish! It adds brightness and flavor. And did you know that vinegar is a great rising agent for cakes and muffins when combined with baking soda? Apple cider vinegar and red wine vinegar are perfect for dressings. A good balsamic adds flavor to salads and proteins. We also really love keeping ume plum vinegar on hand for a quick pickle.

5. Whole Grains

Whole grains are always a must in your pantry. This is a great time to make sure the grains are bug-free (ick!) and stored in glass or stainless steel containers to keep them fresh. With spring upon us, try some lighter grains like quinoa, millet, or fonio. Our friends at Yolele make some incredible seasoned fonio flavors for quick and easy meals. 

6. Dried Beans

Beans are life! They are so incredibly versatile and can be the centerpiece of a meal or play second fiddle to your favorite protein. We are big fans of sister-founded Primary Beans. They have a great assortment of unique varieties that will keep your meals exciting! Just like with whole grains, we like storing our beans in glass or stainless steel to keep them fresh. 

7. Pasta

Pasta is so versatile. You can use it for heavier winter meals or lighten it up for spring with lots of fresh veggies and dressings. Experiment with pasta made from brown rice, lentils,chickpeas, or cassava for extra nutrition. 

8. Snacks

We don’t always have time to cook, so keeping a healthy snack on hand for those grab-and-go moments is essential. Look for options with simple ingredients. You can find RIND dried fruit snacks and Tahini Bites in our pantry at all times! 

9. Baking Mixes

Although we love cooking from scratch, we also keep high-quality baking mixes on hand for those moments when we’re craving a quick treat. Otto’s Naturals offers allergen-friendly baking mixes and flours that are great for satisfying our sweet tooth. 

10. Flavored Water

Staying hydrated is important every day of the year, but it’s even more important as the weather warms up. Flavored waters add excitement to your hydration journey. Look for options without added sugar. We love the innovative flavors from Sanzo Sparkling Water and Waterdrop.  

11. Soom Tahini

No pantry staple list would be complete without Premium or OrganicTahini!  Soom pairs perfectly with everything on our staples list (have you tried dipping Tahini Bites in Chocolate Tahini yet?) The versatility and plant-powered nutrition tahini offers make it a must-have in your kitchen all year long!