Chef Michael Schulson And McCormick Remind Us To Check Our Spices
Don’t forget that even though most spices don’t come with a “use by” date, it’s still a great idea to move older spices out of your cupboard. That’s what Chef Michael Schulson and McCormick spice company urges us chefs to do.
“If you were wearing leg warmers when you last bought your cinnamon, it’s time to throw it out and buy a new bottle,” says Schulson. “Using spices that are too old means the flavor in your dishes could be compromised. I can’t believe what I find in people’s pantries — spices that are five, 10, even 15 years old! And, no one is more surprised than their owners, who just lost track of when they last bought spices.”
Spices should be kept following these guidelines:
Ground spices 2-3 years
Seasoning blends 1-2 years
Whole spices 3-4 years
Extracts 4 years
Herbs 1-3 years
To find out more about storing spices or to take part in the McCormick Spice Check Challenge please visit their website