Things that go hand-in-hand with Thanksgiving… Family. Football games. Black Friday. Spices. But how do you know that your spices are really still good? From cinnamon to basil and everything in between, how long do spices last?
Well, in short, spices never truly go bad. It is highly unlikely that you’ll get an illness from a spice unless it’s contaminated somehow. That said, spices do lose their flavor and potency over time, which means that even if you won’t get sick from too-old cinnamon, you may not taste it to it’s full potential if it’s been sitting there for too long.
If you listen to a lot of cookbooks on your shelf, you may hear suggestions to toss your spices after about a year, with some even going as far as to say 6 months. But if you ask the spice manufacturers, you may get some really blurry guidelines, as well. There’s no good way to say “This is definitively how long a spice lasts.” The biggest tell-tale sign is your own senses.
If a spice has a good aroma, it’s good. If it has a good color, it’s good. If it has good flavor, it’s good. Go test it out– compare a spice you just bought side-by-side with it’s older counterpart, and you’re going to sense a difference.
That said, there are some general ideas of how long a spice will last.
Seasoning Blends, depending on the ingredients inside, will last 1-2 years. Herbs last 1-3 years depending on storage and type. A crushed or ground spice (like cinnamon or cumin) will last 2-3 years with their whole counterparts (like cinnamon sticks or whole cloves) will last 4 or more years. Poppyseeds and sesame seeds will last 2 years, but all other seeds will last 4 years. Extracts will last 4 years with the exception being real vanilla (not imitation), which will last forever. Really. In other things that last forever, salt will not go bad on you.
But, all of the above? Just guidelines. There is no set timeline of when spices will lose their potency. As I mentioned, the risk of spoiling is low.
To tell if a spice is still okay, first, observe it’s color. Is it still vibrant? If not, then it’s probably time to toss it. From there, you can crush a bit in your hand or rub the spice to warm it, then smell. How’s the aroma? If it’s weak, toss it and replace it.
If you’re in a pinch, and your spice isn’t up to it’s normal potency, then use a touch more than what you’d typically use– that will help bring out the flavor a little bit more.
But how do you keep spices from going bad quickly to begin with? There are a few ways you can keep your spices fresher for longer, cutting down on those replacement times.
First, you want to make sure your spices are stored in a cool, dark, dry place. That means you shouldn’t keep your spices near your dishwasher or your oven and cooktop.
“Okay,” some of you will be thinking. “Sounds like common sense.” But how many of us have gone and shaken our container directly over a pot of boiling… something? Your best bet is to measure your spice or pour it into your hand before putting it into your recipe, to prevent steam, moisture, heat, from getting trapped in the container.
When you set a spice aside, make sure it’s sealed tightly, and if you go to measure, never use a damp spoon. Make sure your spoon is completely dry so you don’t get the spice wet.
Finally, ensure all of your spices are in a sealed, airtight container. It should be completely closed to prevent anything getting in that shouldn’t.
Still wanting to go the extra mile to make those spices last? When possible, buy your spices whole and grind, crush, or grate them yourself just before using them. They’ll last the longest.
Mostly, just use your sense and remember that if it smells bad (or doesn’t smell at all), it’s probably not great anymore. If it smells fragrant, like it’s meant to, you’ll know to keep it. Spices can last a long time and pack a punch if stored correctly. Worst case scenario? Keep a paper taped inside the door of your spice cabinet with a list of your spices and their purchase date– then you’ll never have to ask “how long do spices last?” again!
Looking for more details about kitchen safety? Try this post on kitchen safety with kids.
