I also enjoyed doing it that way initially until I discovered the flavor improvement with the other method that someone suggested online.
Perhaps next time you could make a side batch and compare the two?
Should have used AI to up scale it
ducks
Hey cool I do this too from time to time!
Word of advice that helped me a lot…. Heat the oil and bring it down in temperature then pour it over the dried spices vs. heating spices and oil together. I found it reduced bitterness and astringency quite a bit.