When to Replace Spices?
October 15th, 2012 | 
Author: I’m curious – do you routinely go through your spices to check for freshness?
How old are they beore you toss them?
Or do you just use them until they are gone and not worry about age?
My spices are in a drawer as far away from the stove as I can get them. Where do you store yours?
Posted in * Recipe Requests
Becky, I think I keep my spices forever! There was a guest speaker somewhere along the line from McCormick (I think) that told about spices getting old and losing their ‘punch’. That little paperback cookbook they handed out is still here and probably has advice on this. If you want, I can check to see what it says. Can’t say that I’ve ever had bad luck with any of the old spices that I’ve used. Maybe my tastebuds are just not discriminating enough. Mine are stored in a drawer away from heat also plus some overflow in the bottom of the mudroom cupboard in a storage bin with some other items. Last time we moved a friend offered to pack my spices jokingly….boy was she surprised and still mentions that to me! Let’s just say it took her awhile…. We foodies do NOT like to run out of things when the cooking whim hits day or night!
The ones I use often get replaced regularly but the ones I use for Christmas baking and cooking like cardamom, whole cloves and fresh ginger I freeze.
My entire spice rack needs replacing, sorry to say. Since the death of my hubby, I’m not cooking as much — plus the kids are now in homes of their own, so I’m just using salt and seasoned pepper and very little else. Oh, my cinnamon is a fresh bottle.
I don’t usually toss mine unless they don’t have much oomph when I cook with them.
There are some we really use a lot and others that seem to be more seasonal.
Cinnamon is one of our favorites too.
I hadn’t thought about freezing them.
Funny story – I cleaned out a cabinet for my Mom and she had some spices that were almost 20 years old! I did toss those.
Yep Becky, I tossed those rusty tins when cleaning out Mom’s too! Fear my children may end up doing the same thing when that time comes! Must do better I guess! Freezing is a good idea! Thanks ABBE!