Spice Education 101: Freshness

Above is a photo of the same spice – one is fresh, one is over 3 years old. Can you tell which is which? Spices don’t spoil the same way yogurt or spinach may, but they will lose intensity, vibrancy and flavor over time. Below are a few tips and tricks from our Production Manager, Sam, who clued us in on some key factors to consider. 

Whole Spices vs. Ground:

When a spice, like coriander, remains whole, everything is contained. This means your shelf life will be longer due to its natural protection. When a spice is ground, the oils are expressed, exposing them to air, and reducing the intensity of flavor. This reduces shelf life and causes the freshness to fade incrementally. However, there are a couple outliers like cinnamon. Cinnamon will hold its freshness longer because of its higher oil content AND the fact that it started as a bark, not a seed or a berry. 

Kitchen Field Guide for Freshness:

Peppercorns tend to last longer because their ester (aka flavor oil) is so sharp and intense, it takes a lot to diminish it. 

• Black peppers last the longest.
• Pink peppers are the most volatile (hint – because they aren’t true peppercorns!) 

It is best to store whole peppercorns in a grinder/pepper mill and avoid buying pre-ground pepper.

Herbs & Flowers:

Dried herbs and flowers (think rose bud, tarragon, thyme, etc) have a short shelf life. The flavor of these delicate plant-parts can quickly fade. 

It is best to keep your herbs in a cool, dark, and dry environment. You may want to re-think the location of your spice rack! A pantry or spice drawer/cabinet is best. Try to avoid exposure to heat and light which can dramatically reduce the shelf life. 

What to Look (and Taste) For:

Is your spice more pale than you remember? Is the brightness in the aroma gone/faded? Does t taste bland? Once a spice has lost its flavor, it’s gone for good. Purge it and celebrate the fresher flavors you have on hand. 

Our Freshness Guarantee!

When you purchase a Curio product, you are guaranteed freshness, vibrancy and quality. We start with our direct-sourcing, ensuring fresh, whole spices and short supply chains. Then we grind them down and mix in small batches to ensure we express the flavors as close to when you will receive and use them. For some products like cardamom, we even go as far as refrigerating after grinding to help reduce evaporation of oils!