Storing Spices

It is important to store spices properly. This will help keep them organized and ensure that they are fresh when you need them. This is a guide about storing spices.

Solutions: Storing Spices

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Store Spices Upside Down

Store spice jars upside down so air cannot get into the bottles. Spices last so much longer when stored this way. This also works for any jarred or bottled food whether stored in your cupboard or fridge. If there is a chance that the jar/bottle may leak, store in a plastic bag. Do NOT store anything with watery juice this way, such as pickles. The jars really leak!

By Jo from Riverside, RI

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Storing and Using Spices

Always store spices in a cool, dry, dark place. The rule of thumb for how long spices stay fresh is: 3 to 4 years for whole spices and seeds, 2 to 3 years for ground spices, 1 to 3 years for leafy herbs, and 1 to 2 years for seasoning blends. If there is no expiration date on your spice container then date it with a sharpie pen on the bottom of the bottle as soon as you purchase it. If the spice is close to expiration and the color, smell (when crushed between your fingers), and/or taste has faded you can always try to revive it by heating it in a dry pan on the stove.

If you're in a pinch and the spice is old but still has a bit of vigor left, just use more than the recipe calls for but do taste testing as you go so you don't overdo it. If worse comes to worse and the spice is not salvageable for cooking, don't just throw it out! Depending on the spice, you can always use it for crafts or mix it with fresh potpourri to add bulk to the potpourri or mix it in with mulch for the garden. I am sure you can come up with other recycling ideas too.

By Deeli from Richland, WA

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Managing The Spice Cabinet

My spice cabinet was a mess. Cans, bottles, jars in every size and shape imaginable. I had no idea which spices I had, they were hard to find, and they really didn't "fit" anywhere I put them.

I went to the local discount chain, and purchased 3 spice racks, all the same. They hold 16 spices (all filled, no choice of spices), swivel, and cost $19 each. I emptied all the duplicate spices (more on that later), and filled the now-empty jars with spices from my cupboards.

Then:

Label the lids with a label maker or something you printed on the computer so they look nice.
I alphabetized my spices in their racks so they are easily located.
The spices are at my finger-tips, on my cooking counter. I find them easily simply by swiveling the appropriate rack. (Remember they are alphabetized, so easy to find)

Now, about the extra spices:

According to my internet research, freezing spices is the best way to store them. The amounts on the available in the rack, now, are generous enough to be useable, but not so much they lose their potency too quickly. Store the remaining spices in either labeled, sealable small freezer bags - or better yet, vacuum-sealed bags you make yourself in just the right size (this is what I did.) Then organize them in a plastic shoe box in the freezer so they can be pulled out for re-fills as needed, won't get lost in the freezer, and still will remain fresh for a very long time.

Now my spices are getting used, I have more room in my cupboard, my counter looks nice, using them is convenient, I am a more efficient cook, and cooking just got easier. And a silly bonus: I even look a little like a "pro" in the kitchen.

By grumman2

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Prevent Onion Powder From Caking

I always had trouble with onion powder (and other powders) caking soon after the container was opened. To measure an amount, I would have to gouge out a lump and rub it through a sieve.

Using Leftover Spices

I got all these different leftover spices which were taking a lot of space in my tiny kitchen. So I just picked one larger spice container and dumped all other spices in it and mixed it well. It makes a great seasoning for pork chops.

By Julietta

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Keep Cooking Spices In Freezer

Keep cooking spices fresh by keeping them in the freezer. To organize them, I use the top shelf of the door. I arrange them in alphabetical order so I don't have to search through all of them to find a particular one. For example, if I'm looking for basil, I know it will be at the left end of shelf, whereas thyme will be near the right end of the shelf.

By Laura from Elberta, AL

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Questions

Here are questions related to Storing Spices.

Keeping Spices Dry

Is there any solution to keeping cooking spices from becoming damp? Is it just this time of the year - with all the humidity - or does this mean that the spice is "old" and needs to be thrown out?

Toni from USA

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Most Recent Answer

By KahuKenny02/21/2009

You can buy these amazing little canisters called Dry Spice (www.dryspice.com) that you just drop into your spice jars and it removes all the moisture. I had many spices that were all stuck together, I had to break them up with a knife. After I put these canisters in them they turned into powder again. Amazing! It also keeps the flavor & smell very fresh.

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