Do spices expire?

[BTB]

There aren't expiration dates stamped on the bottles, but I confess I'm to cooking what a brown thumb is to gardening. Do all spices keep indefinitely?

[PeanutButter]

They don't go bad to the extent that they would make you ill, but they lose a lot of their flavor.

I have always heard a rough estimate of replacing spices every six months, but I'll confess that I don't always do that.

[Asha]

i hope not bc i have had the same pepper for about 7 years now!! i had no idea that oils went bad and for several months i couldn't figure out why all my brownies tasted foul. finally, it dawned on me that it must be the oil.

[Jazz]

Yeah, spices definitely become less potent (although not bad). For fresher spices, buy from the fill-yourself containers (rather than the pre-filled glass jars), which are typically newer to the store, and also, buying a smaller amount means you'll buy newer stuff when you need it. To extend life, keep your spices the freezer (or, at least not in a cupborad over the stove: heat = bad).

Yes, oil can go rancid (bad!) -- keeping in the dark is a must, and in a cool area (not over the stove) can help.

[Rose]

Yes you should replace them every 6-12 months.

[espresso]

Funny story!

When I first started dating DH, I went to his Mom's house for dinner and she served bake potatos with spice chives (as opposed to fresh)

After awhile, she goes, "hmm, I wonder if we should replace the bottle"....looks at the expiration date...1981!!!!! The chives are as old I was!! She is still embarrased to this day about it. Cracks me up!

[Katy]

where can you find bulk spices?

[Missy2U]

Katy, my regular grocery store carries them - over by the produce section.

Also, you can get them online through Penzey's.

[Asha]

katy - most nicer grocery stores carry them.

[endymion411]

where can you find bulk spices?


our local whole foods has them. i buy online from penzey's

[ee_chick]

If you want to go the Penzeys route, Katy, they opened one in Torrance a few months ago. It's a fun place to browse (and spend too much money). :)

[PG-rated]

One thing to be careful of if you often keep spices for a long time is meal moths. They love certain spices - my mom had several infestations in her paprika. You'll see what looks like cobwebs in the bottle/box/jar, or sometimes you may even see the moths when you open the cupboard. The only real way to get rid of them is to throw everything in the cupboard away, disinfect and start over.

[Asha]

They love certain spices - my mom had several infestations in her paprika.

yes, i got bugs in my oregano once. yuck!!

[mgrace]

where can you find bulk spices?
Whole Foods. Some co-ops do, too.

[Amuse Bouche]

Whole Foods is a decent place for bulk spices, but I just ordered a bunch from Penzeys.com. The best cinnamon I have ever had.

[chefker]

Minced & dehydrated herbs (such as garlic or onions), can go rancid if it gets even a tiny amount of humidity in it.

Best way to avoid that is to make sure you tighten your lids, of course. :)

[lawyerlee]

I buy bulk spices at my co-op. It's a great option, but especially if you don't think you'll need much of something. :)

[Janey]

I *heart* Penzey's. :D I wish they'd open one here. Closest one to me is in Portland... I'm sending my mom there with a list, when she goes down at the end of the month.

(pssst... their Garden Salad Seasoning on a baked yukon gold with some pump spray butter & a little black pepper is to die for.)

[J&K2003]

Whole Foods is a decent place for bulk spices, but I just ordered a bunch from Penzeys.com. The best cinnamon I have ever had.

Amuse Bouche-- I see they have several types of cinnamon- which do you order?

[Photobug]

In season, farmer's markets are the best places to get fresh spices. Can't wait for June!!!

[Rose]

In season, farmer's markets are the best places to get fresh spices. Can't wait for June!!!

I had no idea they sold them. Do most FM's sell them?

[Katy]

In the summer, I usually buy my fresh spices at the FMs. I never noticed bulk *dried* spices at the regular grocery store. I'll definately check that out.

I know I could use a spice cabinet overhaul...maybe a trip to Penzey's in Torrance is a good idea. Amuse, up for a roadtrip?

[Rose]

Never mind, I didn't read fresh. I thought I read dried spices at the FM.

[KarenS]

I usually buy my fresh spices at the FMs.Technically, there's no such thing as fresh spices. :) Spice by definition is the dried and/or ground product of fresh herbs and plants. So if you're buying fresh, then you're buying herbs.

I HIGHLY recommend Penzey's for spices. (http://www.penzeys.com) I order from them every 6 months or so to replace old spices. Their prices are very reasonable and the quality of their spices is really amazing. I always buy the Vietnamese cinnamon (the most potent kind they sell). I can completely redo my spice cabinet every six months for around $30 and know that I have the freshest possible spices on hand.

I really love love love Penzey's - I was so sad when Atlanta didn't win their new store location contest! :)

Karen

[Asha]

so now that we are on the topic of spices, i am going to indulge myself in a hijack. i started adding cinnamon to my coffee or tea bc i heard cinnaomon is good for you. though, i have noticed the days that i do this, i don't feel so hot. a few hours later i start to get really tired, dizzy, and hot. at first, i thought it was a coincidence, but now i think it must be the cinnamon. does anyone know if cinnamon could be causing these crazy symptoms?

[KarenS]

Unless you're allergic to cinnamon, then it's highly unlikely that it could be causing your symptoms. But as far as adding it to coffee or tea becuase it's good for you - the small amount that you add to coffee or tea really isn't going to make that much of a difference one way or another. Unless you're adding massive tablespoons. :)

Karen

[Rose]

But as far as adding it to coffee or tea becuase it's good for you - the small amount that you add to coffee or tea really isn't going to make that much of a difference one way or another.

Actually, you only need a 1/4 -1/2 a teaspoon of cinnamon a day to reap the benefits of it.

[Hula1974]

Yes 6 months and you should ditch them because they will have lost a lot of flavor.

However, curry powder only has a shelf life of 2 months.

[katmg]

Actually, you only need a 1/4 -1/2 a teaspoon of cinnamon a day to reap the benefits of it.

In highly unscientific news, my mom lowered her triglycerides by 25% over 2 months of putting 1/2 t. in her coffee or oatmeal every morning. She also lowered her overall cholesterol. Pretty good stuff, that cinnamon!

As far as keeping spices fresh, bugs have gotten into my ginger, chicken bullion and shrimp boil...Nastiness.

[Asha]

yes, i heard on the radio that adding cinnamon to your diet can lower your blood sugar.

[Rose]

It's also good for digestion. I just read it's good for anemia so maybe I will give it a try.

[KarenS]

my mom lowered her triglycerides by 25% over 2 months of putting 1/2 t. in her coffee or oatmeal every morning.Yes, but oatmeal lowers triglycerides too. Was she eating oatmeal before? Or did she start eating both at once?

I do believe in the benefit of herbs and spices, but I'm skeptical of many of the claims that I read in the mass media about them. I've been growing and using fresh herbs since 1992. I used to teach herbal cooking and herbal cosmetics classes when I lived in WA State. So I'm not anti-herb or anti-holistic medicine .. I'm just not one to say that because it's an herb or becuase it's natural it's "better' or "safer" or anything like that.

I have a hard time seeing how cinnamon could be "good for anemia" since anemia means you lack iron in your blood. Taking 1/2 t. of cinnamon per day is not going to put iron in your blood and fix anemia. As to lowering blood sugar, a couple of studies did show that it lowered blood sugar in *some* groups, but not in all. The Mayo Clinic says it "may" have benefit, but not enough studies have been doen to prove it.

I don't think there's anything wrong with adding a bit of cinnamon to your coffee or tea or whatever (I love cinnamon and would eat it in bulk if I could!) and it could have some benefit which is great. But I wouldn't rely on it long term myself, until more studies have been done.

Karen

[katmg]

Yes, but oatmeal lowers triglycerides too. Was she eating oatmeal before? Or did she start eating both at once?

She was eating oatmeal before. She's pretty convinced that it was the cinnamon, as she didn't alter any of her other food choices, lifestyle habits, etc. Like I said, it is by no means a scientific study, but an interesting note on the current hype about cinnamon.

[KarenS]

She was eating oatmeal before. She's pretty convinced that it was the cinnamon, as she didn't alter any of her other food choices, lifestyle habits, etc. Like I said, it is by no means a scientific study, but an interesting note on the current hype about cinnamon.That is interesting. Hm. Definitely seems to be a plus vote for eating more cinnamon. :)

Karen

[Rose]

Definitely seems to be a plus vote for eating more cinnamon

And it tastes a lot better than brussel sprouts. :) Although not quite the same benefits. - I don't mean they are both spices just they are both good for you.

I'll have to ask my Dad. He is an Herbalist, and though he is retired, he had a big business and so I grew up around a more natural lifestyle. I remember we sold cinnamon bark, I guess I should asked what it was for. :)

[katmg]

The question I had was that the 'cinnamon' that we typically have is not true cinnamon but rather cassia, which is similar but a different tree? Anyway, is it true cinnamon that has the benefits or cassia??