Spices and Herbs Helpful Information

 I decided today that instead of checking spice dates I'd post some here for a quick reference.  

Hope it helps you and me both

Can you tell I've been cleaning out my spice racks?  I try to do this at least yearly. Over the last few years I've collected a few different spice brands such as Simply Organic.  I can't believe this Dolly Lady has mismatched jars & brands on my McCormick Spice Racks. If you look closely you'll see my label maker comes in handy too!  (now I may just have to put that cream of tartar up in the cabinets, might not be able to stand that lol)

SPICE AFTER BEST BY DATES - HELPERS

Dried  Ground and Powdered Spices

The Following Are For After Best By Dates

Allspice - 2-3 years

Bay Leaf dried - 2-3 years past the best by date

Basil - 1-3 years past best by date

Black Pepper - Whole Peppercorns - 4-5 years  Ground Black Pepper - 2-3 years

Cardamom Whole Pods - 2 -3 years   Cardamom Ground - 1-2 years

Cayenne - 2-3 years  (Although it doesn't truly expire it does lose its potency and flavor)

Celery Salt - 1-3 years

Chili Powder - 1-2 years

Chives - Unopened 2-3 years    Opened - 6 months to 1 year for potency

Cilantro - 2-3 years 

Cinnamon - Ground 6-12 months - Cinnamon Sticks-2-3 years

Cloves - Ground 2-3 years

Coriander - Ground 6 months 

Coriander Seeds - Whole Up to 4 years 

Cream of Tartar - 2-3 years (Some sources say if kept dry can be kept up to 30 years!) ???

Cumin - Ground 2-3 years for potency 

Cumin Seeds - 3-4 years

Dill Weed - Dried 1-3 years 

Garlic Powder - 2-3 years

Garlic Granulated - Indefinitely - but the taste will start to deteriorate after 1 year

Garlic Salt - Indefinitely - but for best flavor - Unopened 3-4 years - Opened 6 months

Ginger Powdered - 2-3 years

Italian Herb Seasoning - 1-3 years

Mace Ground -  Opened 6-12 months - Unopened - 3-4 years

Marjoram Dried - 1-3 years

Mustard Dry Powdered - 2-3 years

Mustard Seeds - 1-2 years

Nutmeg Ground - 2 - 3 years (Safer longer but the flavor will fade)

Nutmeg Whole - Up to 4 years after best by date

Onion Minced - 2-3 years

Onion Powder - 3-4 years (Commercially packaged does not spoil but will lose potency over time)

Onion Salt - 1-2 years for optimum flavor but remains safe for a few years beyond that

Oregano Ground - 1-3 years 

Paprika - 1-2 years but up to 4 years, actually it doesn't expire but may lose flavor and potency after that

Parsley Flakes -  Dried 1-3 years

Poultry Seasoning - 1-3 years

Pumpkin Pie Spice - 2-3 years

Red Pepper Flakes - 1-2 years

Rosemary Dried - 1-4 years

Saffron - 1-3 years

Sage Dried - 1-3 years

Sesame Seeds - Up to a year total time

Star Anise - 1-2 years

Taco Seasoning - Unopened 2-3 years - Opened - 6 months for best flavor

Tarragon - Although it doesn't expire - Use within 1 year for best potency

Thyme - 1-3 years 

Tumeric Powder - 1-2 years for best flavor lasts longer with diminished potency & flavor

Wasabi Powder - Up to 2 years

White Pepper Ground - 3-4 years but loses potency after a few months

This is a work in progress

More may be added to the list as time goes on

Websites of Interest:

Spice Jungle Names of Spices & Seasonings List