Storing spices

[The Animal Farm]

I was always taught to keep spices in a cool dry spot, so they are in a cabinet well away from the stove. Some of them, specifically the powder ones, are getting cakey. Is moisture still getting to them or is it time for me to toss them?

[Chinmama]

When mine start doing that, I just whack the container against the counter to loosen it up. It's never occurred to me that I may be killing us with spices. :teehee:

[Riven]

I keep mine in the cabinet right near the stove ( so they're in reach ) and don't have that problem... I guess the question I'd ask is, how old are they? A good way to help deter "clumps" is to put some rice in the container.

[justDeb]

When mine start doing that, I just whack the container against the counter to loosen it up. It's never occurred to me that I may be killing us with spices. :teehee:
me too....... :teehee:

[HedgeMom]

These spices are like old, aren't they?

Spices lose their flavor after 3 months to a year. 3 months for like ginger, nutmeg, etc. 6 months to a year for Oregano, etc.

[tiatrack]

When mine start doing that, I just whack the container against the counter to loosen it up. It's never occurred to me that I may be killing us with spices. :teehee:

Me 3 :teehee: Spices are so expensive that I hate buying them again every 3-6 months. We've finally switched to using mostly mixes that work on just about anything (mix of garlic, onion, salt, pepper, oregano, red pepper...things like that). I do have separate jars of cinnamon and chili powder, since I use them a lot in cooking.

[Twilight24]

Spices lose their flavor after 3 months to a year. 3 months for like ginger, nutmeg, etc. 6 months to a year for Oregano, etc.


Wait.... they lose their flavor? CRAP, so that means the spices that have been sitting up in my cabinet for like years are probably ready to be replaced?:S Shoot, wish someone told me sooner...haha.

[The Animal Farm]

That's the part that puzzled me, a few of them are nearing six months, which explains the nutmeg but the others aren't. I go through chili powder like there's no tomorrow but it's clumpy.

These spices are like old, aren't they?

Spices lose their flavor after 3 months to a year. 3 months for like ginger, nutmeg, etc. 6 months to a year for Oregano, etc.

[Cimredopyh]

came across this

"How do i keep spices from clumping?

Assuming that you mean clumping in the bottle, the best thing to do is keep them in a dry place, tightly capped. It is also a good idea not to shake them from the jar directly into a steaming pot--this will introduce moisture."

Don't know how true it is but it sounds quite logical

[Kiki's Mom]

I always heard that red spices should be kept in the freezer.