I had some that I had been using for almost 10 years! Like parsely or oregano. So I threw out most of them and replaced. How long do you keep spices? There is no exp. date to go by?
2007-09-08 10:09:44 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
I'm not a senior, but I had some spices a couple of years ago that I'd had since I got married 23 years before!!! lol. Since then, I've started cleaning out spices about every 6 months or so.
2007-09-08 10:17:30 · answer #1 · answered by iammom1 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No need to when you only use fresh herbs & buy spices in small quantities from the bulk aisle or International & Ethnic food section in small sealed plastic packages! I stopped buying commercial spices when I read the ingredients listed on their overpriced bottles! Generally, if they are stored properly, in a room that is not too hot, in an airtight container, & out of sunlight, they should be kept no longer than 3 years. Stored improperly, they should be disposed of yearly! I have some from the 1940's for decorations & although the ingredients inside smell like their names on the outside of the cans...I wouldn't use them because of the lead content that could be transferred to the ingredients over all those years!
2007-09-08 17:47:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I must use them pretty quickly because I am always replacing them.
I had a spice rack that came with spices, after awhile, I threw out the contents of the ones I really never used or didn't like, and just reused the bottles for other things.
2007-09-08 17:17:51 · answer #3 · answered by slk29406 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let's see I have been married 40 years....
Seriously I go through most of my spices very quickly. I threw out some sage a few years ago and never replaced it.
I think that this question applies to seniors because so few youngsters cook from "scratch".
If your spices are "old" you may need to use a bit more than the recipe calls for. Throw them out if they are buggy... bugs do love paprika. Buy smaller sizes of those you seldom use. Do not replace those you never use.
Thanks for the reminder.
2007-09-08 17:26:18 · answer #4 · answered by eek 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I moved one year ago. I had spices that were 15 years old!! Needless to say I never used them, they came in the turntable with other spices I did use.
Since I'm alone now and don't cook for myself I only keep salt, pepper and cinnamon for the grandchildren's french toast. Maybe someday....
2007-09-08 18:47:11 · answer #5 · answered by gabeymac♥ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a lot of spices expire in just a few months. I always smell mine before I use them. It is nice to use fresh ones. you can buy mini spice garden kits and grow your own right in your window sill and you can always have fresh., also it is a lot of fun.by the way I am not a senior and I dont believe seniors are the only people who use spices.
2007-09-08 17:25:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just this week I went through my spice cupboard and found duplicates of a few so moved them out to the pantry. If they are old I smell them and if they still smell like they are supposed to I continue to use them. Things like cream of tartar and dry mustard are hard to gage, so i buy new every year, usually around the holidays.
2007-09-08 18:34:34 · answer #7 · answered by gma 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a senior, but I've had a jar of cream of tartar that was so old...it wouldn't even come out of the jar.
I normally change all my spices in October, since that's the official start of baking season for me.
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2007-09-08 17:15:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I raise Basil, Sage, Oregano, Mint, and sometimes Parsley. I try to replace them every couple of years.
2007-09-08 17:24:33 · answer #9 · answered by RB 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I use my spices everyday to cook since I cannot use salt,so I substitute all kinds of spices. I did throw out things like cumin,allspice and ginger. I don't bake anymore and Chinese food is out.
2007-09-08 17:16:48 · answer #10 · answered by lonepinesusan 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋