Tip of the Day: Keep your herbs and spices tasting fresh

by Max Shrem, Posted Aug 9th 2008 @ 11:58AM

I often buy more spices and herbs than I know what to do with. So, it's not surprising that after several months they begin to lose their best flavors. Fortunately, there are techniques to preserve their unique taste.

The key to keeping your herbs and spices tasting fresh for longer periods of time is proper storage. The rules for storing them are similar to those for olive oil. They should be placed somewhere cool and dry. Heat, humidity, and light accelerate the deterioration of flavor. So, even though it may seem convenient to place your spice rack near your stove, moving it away from that area will help the spices and herbs retain their freshness.

How about refrigeration?
This is not a good idea, because of the humidity in the refrigerator. However, for larger quantities of spices, you can place them in tightly sealed containers and put them in the freezer. This is under the assumption that you are not going to use them for over 6 months.

Whole spices last longer.
While most spices last for about one year, whole spices can last for 3 to 5 years. So, I suggest that if possible, you keep your spices whole and grind them prior to using them.

Filed Under: Tip of the Day, Ingredients, How To
Tags: herb, herbs, spices, storage, storing