Advice needed regarding out of date herbs and spices

maman

I'd definitely not throw them out. As they can lose the flavour over time, just taste the dish and add more as necessary.

I bought one of these to go behind a cupboard door and they're fantastic.



I have noticed I have loads of the oregano, basil, thyme type herbs. Lately, instead of buying a fresh pot of Mixed Herbs I've been mixing my own to use them up.

Kala2

I buy most of my herbs lose from a local shop, and those that only get used occasionally hang around for a long while, but since they don't have a sell by date on them I still use them, and they are fine

piecemeal

Whole spices will last for years and years. I buy things I use a lot of (cumin, coriander) as seeds i.e. whole and grind them in the coffee grinder attachment on my liquidiser. I would not throw the herbs and spices away but check for weevils (Yuk!) and just use more. Supermarket brands are just as good as the posh ones and ethnic shops and posh cookshops often sell in bigger amounts.

oneeyed

There should be no problems with your herbs and spices, especially the unopened ones.Just get inventive with your cooking and use them as soon as possible, or try the other persons idea of using them as pot pourri etc.
The only person who really knows what they need is you, find your regular recipes and get what they ask for plus a few extra that you fancy.My ideas would be:-garlic, chilli flakes, oregano, dry mustard, wholegrain mustard,light and dark soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce.I know the last few are not herbs but I use them so much in cooking I look on them as such.
Look in your local market or local health shop who often sell herbs etc, in small quantities in paper bags, which you can decant into your jars when you get home.

kboss2010

I still have ginger, bay leaves and dried chilli from when I started uni 7 years ago! As long as it's not wet, smells funny or full of weevils they'll be fine. Just weaker flavour. My mixed herbs don't last long enough to be stored lol!

Flat_Eric

Very informative thread. Thanks all