Looking after your spices

Caring for your spices is important to ensure they remain fresh, flavorful, and potent. Here are some tips to help you take care of your spices:

1. Store in a cool, dark place:

   • Exposure to heat, light, and moisture will cause spices to lose their flavour and aroma. Store spices in a cool, dark place to maintain their quality.

2. Use airtight containers:

   • The pouch we supply our blends in is perfect. Air, moisture and light are not friends of spices. Tins, glass jars, plastic bags are all a big no if you want to keep your spice blends as fresh as possible for as long as possible.

3. Avoid direct sunlight:

   • Sunlight can cause spices to lose their colour and flavour. Store spices away from direct sunlight in a cupboard or pantry.

4. Keep away from heat sources:

   • Heat can also affect the quality of spices. Avoid storing them near the stove, oven, or other heat-emitting appliances.

5. Always decant to a ramakin:

   • It's better to decant to a ramakin the spices you are going to use and reseal the pouch. Moisture from cooking, especially if you add the spices over the stove is not great. You would be filling the pouch with steam. .

6. Get rid of the air:

   • Whole spices generally have a longer shelf life than ground ones. Consider grinding your spices as needed to retain their freshness and flavor. Invest in a good spice grinder or mortar and pestle for this purpose.

7. Label and date your spices:

   • Clearly label your spice pouch with the date of purchase. This helps you keep track of their freshness and ensures you use older spices first.

8. Keep the lids closed:

   • When not in use, make sure to tightly close the lids of your spice containers to prevent air from entering and affecting the quality of the spices.

9. Buy quality spices:

   • Purchase spices from reputable sources to ensure you are getting high-quality products. Fresh, high-quality spices will have a more robust flavor.

10. Monitor shelf life:

    • Spices do have a shelf life, and their potency decreases over time. Keep an eye on the expiration dates or recommended use-by dates, and replace any spices that have passed their prime.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your spices remain fresh, flavorful, and ready to enhance your culinary creations.