shelf life of various items?

Question

my mother is going to visit a friend who lives in a fairly remote part of spain and has been asked to bring over various food items she misses or has trouble finding.she wants curry pastes and cardamom pods but wondering how much to take because of shelf life?can you freeze curry paste? we,re thinking once she,s opened jar she would have to use within a certain amount of time.and the cardamom pods my mother was going to buy huge bag but now wondering if they go off fairly quickly?

Answer 1

Curry pastes can last up to a year if you refrigerate them after opening. You'll need to take care in its handling such as always using a DRY clean spoon. Never use the same spoon to scoop different ingredients, etc. The idea is to minimise transfer of mould spores, bacteria, etc. Needless to say, your hands should be dry and clean!

You could also try curry powders instead of pastes. Being dry, these keep longer, are easier to handle, and do not require refrigeration. However, you do need to keep the lids tightly closed and stored in a cool, dry place. The practice of clean, dry spoons also apply.

Alternatively, you could slowly tip the powder out of the container as you measure the portions. This has the advantage of zero contact with implements like spoons, etc.

Ask the shop assistant for more info. - usually the mom & pop ethnic grocers would be happy to give advice. There are special curry powders & pastes for lamb curry, fish curry, chicken curry, etc...

Powders are also lighter as they lack water (unlike pastes). Therefore, your mother could bring more over to Spain - given the luggage restrictions.

Dry spices should be treated like the powders.

Good luck!

Answer 2

The curry pastes I use, usually come pre-ackaged, jar or canned. Un-opened it can sit for up to 2 years. usually marked on the package/container. Once opened, it should be sealed tightly, refrigerated and that can last up to a year...

Althouth I am not familiar with cardamom pods, I am assuming it has the same shelf life as a nutmeg - or most whole spices - up to 3 years. Ground spices, up to 2 years, but let your nose be the judge.

Depends on the how long it was been sitting on the store shelf too...but the trick is to keep in a dark & cool place away from heat.