I’ve been using the same jar of nutmeg to makegingerbread cookiesfor decades.
), read on.
How Long Do Spices Last?
When in doubt, look for the best before date on the back or bottom of the spice jar.
How Can I Tell if My Spices Have Gone Bad?
Or has it dulled in color, with little scent and next to no taste?
If you cant remember when you bought your spices, its likely time to throw them out.
Here are a few other, slightly more scientific ways to verify whether your spices have lost their potency.
Can You Use Expired Spices?
What About Salt and Pepper?
The Difference Between Whole Vs.
Ground Spices
Spices come from dried bark, roots, berries, seeds, or twigs of plants.
Why go to the extra trouble?
Keeping spices whole locks in their flavor.
Once theyre ground, they begin to slowly oxidize, losing potent flavor and aroma.
If youre after the most intense flavors for yourbaked ribsorchili con carnethen grinding them fresh at home is key.
The same is true of herb and spice mixes.
Whole herb and spice mixes are harder to find, but they will keep longer than ground mixes.
