Outdated spices are not dangerous, but they do not lose their flavor.
Seasonings made from herbs are the first to go out of the spice cabinet. Mari Moilanen
Outdated spice bags are a familiar sight in many kitchens and they are easily carried from one change to another. Are spices safe to use even though the best before date has passed long ago?
– Yes, they are perfectly safe to use. Outdated spices can’t cause anything like food poisoning, unless so much moisture has gotten into them that mold would grow there, says Marttaliito’s leading expert Marjo Rantapusa.
– Nothing else is spoiled in them except the taste. The flavor of the spice starts to mellow as time passes. And of course, when the point of the seasoning is to season, and the flavor no longer comes, it no longer serves the purpose.
However, there are differences in spices when it comes to their shelf life. Not all spice jars should be kept in the cupboard for a year. How quickly the spice gets old and loses its flavor depends on the spice and how it has been stored.
This will expire first
The first to go out of the spice cabinet are various spices made from herbs, as well as spices containing a lot of fat, such as cumin, seeds and nutmeg.
The shelf life of herbs and delicate spices is usually 3 years. A more aromatic spice, such as cardamom, stays good for 2 years.
– When spices are chopped and ground, it always contributes to spoilage. If you know you will use a spice, such as black pepper, less often, you should buy it whole and grind whenever necessary, he advises.
Of course, sugar and salt, for example, never get old.
Many people keep spices in the spice cabinet above the range hood, although it is not an ideal environment for spices.
– The steam and heat that arise during food preparation are not good for spices, so the cabinet above the stove is not the best place to store them. I would only leave frequently used spices there, such as salt and pepper.