How long are spices good for (the ones in your kitchen cabinet)?

Answer 1

As far as I know they dont expire. Just keep them in a dry cool place.

If you notice a taste difference then maybe renew your spice but we have spices a year old and no difference what so ever. Spices dont grow mold or anything so normally a good while.

Answer 2

How long can bottled spices be kept; what is the shelf life?

The good news is, spices do not spoil. The bad news is, they lose their strength. What is interesting is that a lot of cookbook writers tell you to purge your pantry once an herb or spice is about 6 months old. But the spice companies — among them behemoth McCormick and specialty spicer Penzeys — are not so reckless. They tell you to keep and use the spices as long as they appear to have flavor — and they trust you to be able to tell!

Stored in an airtight container, in a cool, dry place, spices retain their potency longer than you'd think — as long as 4 years for whole spices, 2 to 3 years for ground spices, and 1 to 3 years for leafy herbs, depending on the herb. Whole peppercorns, nutmegs, and cinnamon sticks hold on to their flavor for ages. Particularly potent whole spices, such as cloves, cumin, and cardamom will also last for a long, long time.

Herbs lose their flavor faster than spices. Dried herbs that have no color and no or very little smell when crumbled in the palm of your hand are probably too old for practical use. Yet even if they don't look all that green anymore, but still have some oomph when crumbled in you hand, use them freely.

For ground spices, shake the jar, let it settle and give a sniff. If there's essentially no smell, it should be tossed out. If the spices have a bit of fragrance left but are not as potent as you remember or think they should be, just use more in the recipe. Then you'll run out sooner and have a reason to start fresh with a new batch.

Answer 3

The good news is, spices do not spoil. The bad news is, they lose their strength. What is interesting is that a lot of cookbook writers tell you to purge your pantry once an herb or spice is about 6 months old. But the spice companies — among them behemoth McCormick and specialty spicer Penzeys — are not so reckless. They tell you to keep and use the spices as long as they appear to have flavor — and they trust you to be able to tell!

Answer 4

This depends on the spice, and the container you keep it in.

I have a container of dried crushed chilis (the kind you sprinkle on pizza) that I've had in the cupboard for several YEARS, and it is still good. My dill-weed lasts 6mo to a year...but that's how long it takes for me to USE it, since I put a pinch in almost everything. Pepper? Until it's gone.

Generally, since spices tend to be dried and stored in sealed (resealable) containers of either glass or heavy grade plastic, they can keep for a *very* long time. Just remember to recap your spices after you use them to prevent moisture from entering the bottle and starting the rotting process.

Now, if you are talking about grown in the garden by yourself stuff...use it in your compost pile after a year or so. (Or, throw it out as soon as it starts spoiling.)

Answer 5

Depends on the spice...check out http://www.mccormick.com/content.cfm?ID=11985

Answer 6

Six months. Though I keep mine much longer than that. Seems like a waste to throw them out.

Answer 7

About 6 months and they start to lose some of their power.

Answer 8

Im Imaging that they are good enof for humm at least a couple years like 3

Answer 9

I never thought about that one...well if you cook every day, you should run out and replace them...not problems right?

Answer 10

Paprika, is the most unstable. Not sure how quick it does go off though.