One of the best ways to keep your herbs and spices fresh is to store them away from your stove. Herbs and spices that you don’t use every day, such as cumin, chili powder, or sage, you probably have safely stored away in your pantry or spice cabinet. However, it is always handy to have spices like paprika, parsley, salt and pepper nearby on the counter so you can access these quickly. This is not ideal for fresh spices.
So how do you keep your spices from turning into colorful but tasteless sawdust? Here are a few good tips:
Keeping Spices Fresh
Make sure to store your spices away from the heat. Don’t set them on the counter next to the stove or in a spice rack over your stove. Too much exposure to heat will ruin your spices. Store your spices at room temperature, in a cabinet or other area away from heat. Also, make sure your spices are stored in a sealed container. You can double the usable life of your spices this way.
Keeping Dried Herbs Fresh
The best thing you can do to keep your dried herbs fresh is to keep them out of the light. If they are in a spice rack, use an opaque container. The best way to store your herbs is in a cool, dark location. Keep you herbs in an airtight container.
Other Freshness Tips
Make sure to use dry measuring spoons. If you dip a wet spoon into your container, you will reduce the shelf life of your herbs or spices because the moisture adds humidity to the container.
Whole spices generally last twice as long a ground spices. Use a mortar and pestle to grind your spices just before use.
Keeping your spices and herbs in the refrigerator is not recommended. You refrigerator does contain some humidity which can alter the flavor and reduce the shelf life.
