"Best before" dates on herbs and spices

Nix143

You lot may all disagree with me but I've used out of date herbs and spices and they just DONT taste as good.

And I kinda think if you're going to the effort to make something from scratch then it's a bit of a false economy to use something you know isn't up to scratch.

I make my own garam masala and as other OP says spices retain their potency SO much more if they are only ground when you need them.

cazziebo

You lot all make me feel so good!

Most of my spices went out of date in 2003 at the latest - and I just throw in an extra dollop.. Of course now I'm an OS MSE then I'm cooking far more from scratch so will be replacing more frequently from now on - Promise!

How do you make Garam Masala,Nix?

Cazzie
xx

Ted_Hutchinson

cazziebo wrote:

How do you make Garam Masala,Nix?

Mamta's Kitchen Garam Masala

This £13 spice grinder is similar to the one I use. Mine doubles for Spices and Linseed so it gets used several times a week. Amazon sometimes do a Krups one for around the same price but they haven't a cheap one at the moment though you could order one if you are prepared to wait.

janb5

There is a lovely line I read somewhere about not leaving your dried herbs for your grandchildren! In other words chuck it out!

glitter58

Hi I just received my first delivery of spices for my curry marathon( doing curry queen's receipes).

Now I dont know a lot about spices but do know that if I just bought them from a proper supplier they should have the longest date possible "shouldn't they".
These are the dates.

Garlic powder refil= sept 2006
Chilli powder refill= sept 2007
Fennel seeds sept 2007
Fenugreek seeds- sept 08
Rice flour= nov 2007
Curry leaves dec 08
Cardomon pods=aug 2008
Do these seem alright apart from the garlic powder which is 4 months out of date.
Sorry if this is in the wrong place.
Feel free to move if neccessary.
Thanks in advance.

stilernin

Spices, herbs etc are only fresh products that are being preserved, so to enjoy at their best they will have a relatively short shelf life.

Should be kept in a cool dark place. Bin these fancy spice racks that are designed to live on show!!

Having said all of that............. I have just looked at the fennel seeds that I bought a month ago and the date on it is Sept 09.

You can draw your own conclusions.

squeaky

Most "experts" and chefs generally say that pre-ground spices tend to lose some of their flavour within six months or so - and some are even more picky than that.

While these are great just to try out and see if you like them, and / or are likely to use them fairly frequently - if you have a spice you use regularly the usual advice is to try and buy your next lost as whole spices and then grind your own as and when needed beacuase whole spices keep better.

Best sources for these are places like Indian or Chinese shops if you have any locally.

Swan_2

I get all my spices from an Asian grocer (squeaky's right, they're definitely the best source) & decant them into Asda or Tesco smallest size value 'tupperware'-type containers, then write what they are & the date I opened them on the side

it's amazing how often you think you've only had something a couple of months & it actually turns out to be a couple of years!

ground coriander in particular needs replacing often or it ends up tasting like sawdust

glitter58

Hi thanks everyone your input is really appreciated.
The online store I bought them from is an indian spice shop and I am going to email them tomorrow morning and complain about the out of date garlic for a start.
I must have mug written on my forhead because I ordered my first meat hamper (orgainic as well so not cheap).
when it arrived the meat was awful you know the green and brown look to meat when it is about to go off .
I was furious but didn't even email them as it was christmas and felt like I would upset everyone if I moaned.
Plus my husband nearly had a fit when he saw how much it had cost so I stayed sthum as it were he he.
Oh well you live and learn I suppose.
G

catlou

This is one of those things you don't really know who to ask for advice.........but I thought this would probably be a good place to start!!

I try not to be wasteful with food in general but sometimes I'm unsure with use by dates on things like jars of dried herbs, spices, or like worcester sauce or a pot of Marigold stock powder. I don't want to use them and then worry if they are ok - but equally don't want to chuck things that are perfectly fine?

My mum is from the "generation who never had sell by dates!!" So not the best person to ask!

How long do people think this these type of things would be ok after the best before date? Do spices ever go off? Not much of a chef I'm a bit clueless- so unable to tell by looking at them!

Any feedback appreciated!