If you’re not thinking about spices as perishable ingredients, it’s time to start. The flavors in your curry won’t last forever, and adding more spices won’t help if the flavors have already faded.

There are a few steps you can take to slow the decay of spices. You can extend their shelf life without sacrificing taste by taking precautions and storing them properly. Here are some tips to help you do so.

1) Keep Them Airtight

Spices are dry and light, which makes them prone to oxidation and odor absorption. Keeping them airtight will help prevent them from absorbing odors from other spices or dead insects that might have gotten into your cupboard.

Of course, you will have to shake the jar when you’re cooking because you’ll need to use a bit of the spices in your recipe. But while they’re not in use, keep them in airtight containers. You’ll want to keep them in a cool, dry place, away from humidity and light.

2) Keep Away From Direct Sunlight or Heat

More than just keeping your spices out of direct sunlight, it’s important to remember that heat can ruin their taste. When you add too much spice and your curry tastes like fire, it’s too late.

But you can avoid this by making sure your spices stay away from the stove. You want to avoid over-steeping them, too. If you find yourself adding more and more to your curry, it’s likely that your spices are already beginning to fade and you should throw them out.

3) Keep Away From Moisture

Humidity will, over time, make your spices more “clumpy” and less fragrant. It’s important to keep them away from moisture and humidity, so you can make your dishes taste the way you intended.

Water can also ruin your spices. Keeping them away from any water that might accumulate in your kitchen is important. This also means you don’t want to store olive oil, vinegar, or any workaround in your bowls or pots.

4) Label Your Jars

Labeling jars will help you keep your spices organized. This will also make it easier for you to remember which spices you have and which ones you need.

The best way to label is to make a list of what’s in the jar and then keep a small notebook beside it for quick reference.

5) Keep Track of Your Spices’ Age

If you have a lot of spices in your cupboard, there’s no way you’ll remember what’s already there. So it’s best to keep track of the age of your spices and toss the ones that are no longer good to use.

Also, it’s best to keep them in a well-ventilated area and away from sunlight to slow down the process.

Why Is Spice Storage Important?

Properly storing your spices will help you avoid wasting them and will help you avoid buying new ones more often than you need to.

Of course, you’ll also want to take out your spices and smell them before using them. If you notice a change in the smell, chances are it’s time to discard them and get new ones. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of how long your spices are supposed to last and when it’s time to discard them.

Conclusion

Keeping your spices in the right place will help you save money and avoid wasting ingredients. Keeping them away from light, heat, and moisture will help you maintain their freshness and use them as you need.

If you are curious about where to buy spices, Castle Foods has you covered. Spice up your kitchens (literally!) by stocking up on seasonings in your cupboard. Visit our online store today to see for yourself.