How fresh are your spices?

[cristylp]

I know a lot of us have spices in the cabinets that are way too old to be using.

If you use McCormicks and have any like this, replace them! Fifteen years is just way too old for spices. Their website has more good info on how long spices will actually stay fresh.

www.mccormick.com/freshflavor

[scott123]

Re: How fresh are your spices?

I really don't buy into the recommendations regarding how long to store spices. I think a large part of old spice phobia is driven by spice companies. I have found that there are certain spices that age well and others that don't. I have a 15+ year old tin of powdered allspice that still packs an incredible punch. Same thing for my nutmeg. Powdered mustard is pretty much immortal. Cinnamon seems to maintain it's intensity for quite some time as well. My oregano is 5 years old and still fit as a fiddle

Old parsley doesn't thrill me. If I'm making a recipe where the spice is a primary ingredient (such as chili), I'm going to look for the freshest possible source for it. Speaking of chili, dried peppers (including paprika) don't age that well. Nor does cumin. Fortunately I use chilis and cumin all the time and have a quick turnover.

Storage makes a huge difference. Even with the spices that don't age quite so well, as long as I keep them in air tight glass containers, they're good for at least a couple of years. These "toss your spices after 6 months" type of admonitions are a bit much, imo.

[Heidi3]

Re: How fresh are your spices?

Cristy thank you!!!

I use a massive amt of herbs and spices in my cooking ..for the most part buy whole spices in bulk in stores where they move quickly ...and grind them myself I find that that is the most flavorful, longer lasting, economical way ..herbs I grow my own and dry them myself or freeze them if I want them fresh later...

I agree with Scott most spices can stay fresh in cool dark places for a long long time ..especially if they are whole..however Scott baby I love you but ... I can not even imagine 5 year old oregano!!!!

I will tell you my best tester is my nose ..I want to smell the herb or spice popping out of the container when I take the lid off ...I should not have to look for the aroma it should find me! if it does not get my attention it goes into the trash...

I find things like allspice berries and saffron keep for years ...but herbs dont ...although oregano is better dried and a bit older I am still thinking 5 years is really too long my dear man!!!

and who on earth uses dried parsley? it has no flavor dried imho...not compared to the fresh stuff that is cheap and always available!!!

cinnamon should always be bought in sticks..not only for the price but the taste of fresh ground cinnamon is beyond comparison to the preground stuff ...same with nutmeg it should always be bought whole and grated....even cloves....mace however stays pungent and fresh preground for a long time

whole to me is better on all accounts ..and fresh is better ....
15 years for powdered allspice???

I do have some antique containers I display that have spices in them ..but no aroma at all ...

[cristylp]

Re: How fresh are your spices?

and who on earth uses dried parsley? it has no flavor dried imho...not compared to the fresh stuff that is cheap and always available! ...

I agree with you on every single thing... especially the parsley. I never did figure that one out! I admit I have it in my cabinet 'cause I used to think it really did something. Now I just use it for a little extra green color when I don't have the real stuff!

I never toss them after six months either, Scott. Some of them would only get used once or twice if I did that.

[not2late]

Re: How fresh are your spices?

Spices that I can find in whole seed form I buy. The pre-ground stuff just doesn't have the flavor, even when the bottle is new, that compares to freshly ground/grated.

For herbs, I try to buy the dry herbs that are as intact as possible, because I think the longer it's been sitting ground or crushed the lesss flavor it has. But like Heidi, I try to use fresh herbs and dry my own. That doesn't go without saying that dried herbs have their uses....

[Heidi3]

Re: How fresh are your spices?

I have to say ...even with all the herbs that are so much better fresh...I much prefer dried oregano to fresh ..it is growing all over my yard and I have been known to nuke it dry in a pinch because fresh it just does not have the kick or flavor...

basil I like both ways ...differing for differing purposes...

I just love herbs and spices I can not imagine life with out spice

[cristylp]

Re: How fresh are your spices?

basil I like both ways ...differing for differing purposes...

I absolutely love to stack a thick slice of tomato, a slice of fresh mozzarella and a basil leaf on top. Yummmmmy!

[Heidi3]

Re: How fresh are your spices?

I absolutely love to stack a thick slice of tomato, a slice of fresh mozzarella and a basil leaf on top. Yummmmmy!

Absofreakinglootly

or broil a tomato with dried basil on top

[not2late]

Re: How fresh are your spices?

I saw this recipe on a tv cooking show:
http://www.ciaoitalia.com/rc_recipe_...p?recipeid=919

I tried it. It works.

[Miss Phode]

Re: How fresh are your spices?

I saw this recipe on a tv cooking show:
http://www.ciaoitalia.com/rc_recipe_...p?recipeid=919

I tried it. It works.

I'm drooling. I want one of these now.

As far as herbs and spices go, I really like Litehouse for herbs because they are freezedried and taste fresher than other dried herbs. Of course, I prefer fresh if I can find them, but the freezedried herbs are so easy.

Spices, Most of them I buy from Whole Foods, mostly because they have a better flavor. I love their Cinnamon. And their Cayenne pepper is hot hot hot which I love. None of my spices have been in my cabinet for ages. Most of them are relatively new. I don't buy spices in bulk because I feel like the longer they sit in the cupboard, the less desirable they are.

Hubby thought he was sweet and bought me a spice rack, one of the ones that are already filled with spices. I dumped all the spices out down the drain because they were stale and nasty. blech. I refilled the bottles with my own spices, but I still have a cabinet full besides what's in the rack.

[cristylp]

Re: How fresh are your spices?

I saw this recipe on a tv cooking show:
http://www.ciaoitalia.com/rc_recipe_...p?recipeid=919

I tried it. It works.

Fried green tomatoes are one of my favorite things and this sounds great!

[not2late]

Re: How fresh are your spices?

Since I grow my own tomatoes and have them in excess right now, I've tried this recipe with ripe tomatoes, greenish tomatoes (half green, half ripe) and greeny tomatoes (green that's about to begin ripening). By far the half greens or the greens that are beginning to show signs of ripening are the best: they don't have too much juice and the tartness of the tomato balances the richness of the cheese.

Also, I've tried it with fresh moz, aged moz, a combo of fresh moz and parmesan, and aged moz with alittle gorgonzola. I don't think you can go wrong with any cheese combo for this!

Alittle bacon probably won't hurt either....

[Heidi3]

Re: How fresh are your spices?

ok this sounds like a "ME" dish for sure I had not thought about this but will until I make one and try it ...yummmmmmm I love veggies as "bread!"