Spices are an integral part of a meal. Not only do spices add amazing flavor, they also have health benefits. Good, high quality spices don’t run cheap so it’s important to take good care of them. Storing them out of direct sunlight, heat and moisture is a good start.
Those over the stove spice racks? Not the best idea. It’s better to pick a cabinet just outside the main cooking area, but one that is still convenient to access.
One way to protect your spices is something so simple that it’s often overlooked.
When you add spices to your dish during cooking, don’t add spices directly over the pot of steaming food.
Why?
Well, the steam will travel up into the spice jar where it wreaks havoc. The moisture can cause spices to clump together and it degrades your precious spices. It can even set up a favorable environment for mold.
An easy fix? Mix up your spices before hand in a ramekin or small bowl and then add them directly from that.
Need to adjust spices towards the end of cooking? No problem- just add more to the ramekin or bowl and into the pot it goes.
I’ve often said that appropriate knowledge and use of spices (including salt) is what separates mediocre cooks from amazing cooks, so take good care of your spices and you’ll have delicious (and healthy) dishes that your family will rave over.
I am currently on a cardamom kick. Love that flavor. I am about to try it in my coffee.
I love cardamom too. I used to visit with a friend of mine who would make us Indian tea, and it had cardamom pods and orange blossom water. SO good 🙂 Let me know how it is in coffee- cool idea! 🙂
I am currently on a cardamom kick. Love that flavor. I am about to try it in my coffee.
I love cardamom too. I used to visit with a friend of mine who would make us Indian tea, and it had cardamom pods and orange blossom water. SO good 🙂 Let me know how it is in coffee- cool idea! 🙂
I have all my dry pantry items, including spices in a pantry far away from light heat air and moisture. I’ve known for years never to store the herbs and spices right next to or above the stove top. It will break down the flavor and the oils from the spices rather quickly, so you lose all that flavor you spent your money on.
I have tried to tell other people this same thing. Some listen and have good sense and already knew this. Others continue the way they’ve always done, because they think I don’t know anything. But, I’m not the one who came up with this one. Someone else told me, because I had been doing what my mother did. I followed the advice of the person in the know. It’s very good advice.
Do this for all tea, too, whether it is in a box and in teabags or whether the tea is loose leaf tea. If you can find cobalt blue glass to store tea in, you will find that it is a very helpful suggestion. Naturally, it will work well for your spices, too.
Coffee is different. Keep it in the refrigerator or the freezer. The oils in coffee can go rancid quickly, so you will be happier with your coffee if you keep it in the freezer.
Hi! Thanks for your comment. You are right- tea is best stored in the same manner and coffee is best kept in the freezer- even better if it’s not ground first.
I have all my dry pantry items, including spices in a pantry far away from light heat air and moisture. I’ve known for years never to store the herbs and spices right next to or above the stove top. It will break down the flavor and the oils from the spices rather quickly, so you lose all that flavor you spent your money on.
I have tried to tell other people this same thing. Some listen and have good sense and already knew this. Others continue the way they’ve always done, because they think I don’t know anything. But, I’m not the one who came up with this one. Someone else told me, because I had been doing what my mother did. I followed the advice of the person in the know. It’s very good advice.
Do this for all tea, too, whether it is in a box and in teabags or whether the tea is loose leaf tea. If you can find cobalt blue glass to store tea in, you will find that it is a very helpful suggestion. Naturally, it will work well for your spices, too.
Coffee is different. Keep it in the refrigerator or the freezer. The oils in coffee can go rancid quickly, so you will be happier with your coffee if you keep it in the freezer.
Hi! Thanks for your comment. You are right- tea is best stored in the same manner and coffee is best kept in the freezer- even better if it’s not ground first.
Hi AMy,
I guess I’ve been doing it incorrectly for years lol! I’ll stop right now and take you good advice!
Hi AMy,
I guess I’ve been doing it incorrectly for years lol! I’ll stop right now and take you good advice!