By Megan Fisher, General Manager, Co-op Owner
Yes! Dried herbs, spices and blends all start to lose their full flavor potential with time. A well-equipped kitchen has a variety of seasonings including go-to favorites and every day workhorses (lookin’ at you garlic and onion powders!). When we use our herbs and spices quickly (and therefore replace them with new) lost flavor isn’t likely to be an issue. But that jar of bay leaves you got from your grandma ten years ago or those cinnamon sticks you got in a white elephant gift exchange three years ago might be less flavorful than fresh. The intensity of your spices is affected by oxidation as well as impacted by improper storage. Keeping spices whole prolongs their peak flavor more than already ground spices. Using airtight storage containers is ideal. Spices also prefer low light like inside a cabinet.
Not to say old spices can’t be used! You can easily use older spices in different homemade blends, simmer a blend of cinnamon or cloves on the stove top for a quick and easy air freshener, or bring together a few different aromatics for a custom potpourri. Older cayenne helps deter pests like deer and rabbits from your garden beds and you can always compost old spices!
Replacing your herbs and spices is easy at the Co-op when you use the bulk section of the store! You can bring in any clean jar, bottle, or bag to fill, or use one of ours. Then simply fill the container with as much or as little of any of our herbs, spices, and teas as you want, because it’s all purchased by weight! Trying out a new spice is super easy when you can just buy a teaspoon for that specific recipe!
I just filled some of my personal spice jars that were getting low with a selection of eight different herbs and spices (from dried parsley to beloved garlic powder and onion granules) and it was under $8! These jars of spices at the Co-op turn over quickly – making our selection fresh and vibrant – perfect to refresh your spice cabinet!
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