Fastest way to check for old spices in your pantry 👇
Look for the tin.
Is there a McCormick spice tin in your pantry?
McCormick stopped packaging spices in tins over 25 years ago!
Still have it? Toss it!!
But the big question is: Do old spices go rancid?
Old spices don’t become unsafe to consume or “go bad” the way expired milk does (ever take a swig of that? EWWWW!)
They do lose their flavor and potency over time. You can still use them, but they won’t taste as vibrant or strong as fresher spices.
Air, heat, and light are enemies.
The preferred way to store spices is in glass or ceramic containers in a cool, dry, and dark environment away from the stove. I know, it feels like the spices should be right next to the stove for easy usability, but it isn’t going to help their shelf life or their taste.
For that same reason, avoid shaking the herbs/spice container directly over a steaming pan. That steam will enter the container and cause issues.
Various articles online tout spice/dried herb shelf life at up to 4 years. I recommend cutting that time in half; go with 2 years, tops, for the most nutritious and the best flavor. Whole spices (like clove, cumin seed) can last a little longer.
My biggest tip for buying herbs and spices is to buy smaller quantities at a spice shop where you can trust the freshness and the sourcing. Spices in a grocery store are typically already one to two years old (!), plus most blends contain fillers, starches, sugar, and anti-caking agents, and you’re basically paying mostly for the container they come in.
I got rid of all my mismatched bottles and tins (yup, I still had one tin hiding wayyy in the back); I now store herbs and spices in these cute glass containers, and I couldn’t be happier.
Tell me what’s happening in your spice cupboard?
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