How long are spices good for if it,s never been opened?

Question

This one is a couple years old. Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi !!!
Here you go...From the website below...

Spices & Herbs will keep for a long time if they are stored in airtight containers, away from heat, moisture and light. For optimum flavor, we recommend properly stored whole spices be used within four years and ground spices within three years. The green leafy herbs will last from one to three years, depending on the herb.

Members of the red pepper family (capsicums), such as paprika and chili powder, should be refrigerated to help retain color and guard against infestation. This is important especially during the summer months and in particularly hot climates.

GENERAL SHELF LIFE GUIDELINES

SPICES:

Ground Spices 1 - 3 years.
Whole Spices 4 years.

HERBS: Green Leafy 1 - 3 years.

SEEDS: 3 - 4 years.

EXTRACTS: 4 years.

SEASONING BLENDS: 1 - 2 years.

FOIL PRODUCTS: 12 - 24 months.

*Products containing ingredients such as chicken fat, butter, cheese, lemon, wine, and seeds such as poppy, and sesame may have a shorter shelf life.

Never store your spices near a heat or humidity source, such as on top of the stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, or microwave, or near the sink or a heating vent. You also want to avoid light sources, and the best way to do this is to put the spices inside a cupboard or a drawer. If an open spice rack is being used, be sure to place it out of direct sunlight. While it is all right to store some spices in the refrigerator, extreme temperatures (in either direction) are not advisable. Vanilla beans and extract, however, should NEVER be refrigerated.

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Answer 2

Spices don't technically go bad as far as being unusable. They don't rot, ferment or sustain harmful microbes. What happens is the taste and aroma degrade, rendering them impotent. Heat, light and time will degrade spices. Some spices degrade quickly after being ground.

As long as they are stored in an airtight container (opened or unopened) in dry places away from sunlight and heat most spices last 2 years.

Check aroma; if faded, replace.

Whole cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon sticks maintain quality beyond two year period.

You also don't benefit from the medicinal chemicals spices contain when they are degraded.

Answer 3

A lot depends on the spice and if it is in a glass jar or a metal container. Most of the spice companies have a section on their websit to answer questions such as this.

Answer 4

it depends on how the spice is stored and what spices you are talking about, but if you're looking for a general answer: an unopened jar of spices should last you anywhere from 6 months to 1 year.

Answer 5

I find after 1 year, it looses it potency and aroma, I discard them and buy fresh......