Are you storing your herbs and spices the right way?
We pour love into our cooking—let’s give our flavour boosters the same attention! This quick guide will show you how to store your spices properly, preserve fresh herbs using four easy methods, and even grow your own herbs at home.
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Why Proper Storage Matters
Spices are the essence of our cooking. To keep their flavour, vibrancy, colour, and nutritional value at their best for as long as possible, proper storage is key.
Do Spices Expire?
While spices won’t exactly “expire” and make you ill, they do lose their oomph. Expect them to be at their peak for around 3-6 months. After that, their flavour, colour, and potency will start to fade.
Quick Tip: Rub a pinch between your fingers and smell it. If the scent is weak or dull, it’s probably time to replace it.
The Flavour Faders: What to Avoid
The main things that degrade your herbs and spices are:
Air: Exposure to air causes oxidation, diminishing flavour and aroma over time.
Light: Especially direct sunlight, which breaks down those precious flavour compounds.
Heat: Warm temperatures cause spices to lose their essential oils and aroma.
Moisture: Humidity leads to clumping, mould, and a general loss of flavour.
How to Store Whole and Ground Spices
- Use clear glass containers with a tight seal to keep air out and prevent flavour-robbing oxidation.
- Whether they’re housed in a spice rack or tucked away in a drawer, ensure these flavour keepers live in a cool, dark spot – heat and light are their biggest foes!
- If you have leftover spices in their original sealed packs, pop them inside an airtight container for extra protection.
- The golden rule? Cool, dark cupboards or drawers are the best home for all your spice jars and containers.
How to Store Fresh Herbs: Four Easy Methods
Fresh herbs bring so much vibrant flavour and nutrition to our dishes! Here are four ways to keep them fresh for longer:
- The Salad Spinner & Kitchen Paper Towel Method: (Tip: You can use a salad spinner to remove excess water before wrapping herbs in a kitchen paper towel.) After washing your herbs, spin them dry. Then, wrap them loosely in a kitchen paper towel, roll them up and place them in a zip-lock bag, leaving it slightly open for airflow.
- Hanging Herb Bundles:
- Place your herbs, stem-side up, in a brown paper bag, with the stems slightly sticking out.
- Fold the sides of the bag.
- Secure it with a paper clip so the bag can stand upright and leave it on your kitchen counter for two weeks to dry.
- Alternatively, hang your herbs upside down outside or near a sunny window for about two weeks to dry them.
- Freezing Method: Chop your herbs as you’d normally use them (this method is best for herbs you’ll use in cooked dishes, as the texture can change after freezing). Spread them on a baking sheet on a tray and freeze for a few hours or overnight. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip-lock bag.
- Herb Butter: Chop your herbs and mix them with softened butter and any spices you like. Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet, shape it as desired, and store it in the freezer.
Grow Your Own: The Beginner’s Herb Garden
Growing your own herbs is a cost-effective way to enhance your dishes with fresh, vibrant flavours!
- Try using plant seed trays or starter pots with good drainage to help your herbs sprout easily.
- Place your herbs near a sunny window.
- Keep the soil moist, but never wet. A good rule of thumb is to stick your finger into the soil every 2-3 days and water if it feels dry. Balance is key!
- Always use organic soil.
- All-in-One Package: Our kit includes 5 of the widely loved organic, non-GMO herb seeds—basil, parsley, rosemary, thyme, …
- Elegant Wooden Box: The product comes with a crafted wooden box that not only provides a stable growing environment for …
- Green Coconut Soil Discs: Our kit includes discs made from natural coconut coir, a sustainable material that promotes he…
Easy Herbs for Beginners:
If you’re new to growing herbs, these are a great place to start. They are perennial herbs, meaning they come back year after year!
- Mint (be aware that mint is a vigorous grower and likes to spread! Give it a wide and separate planter to keep it contained and happy.)
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Basil
So there you have it – my best tips for keeping your herbs and spices fresh and flavourful! I hope this guide has been helpful. Let me know in the comments which methods you’ve tried!
For a limited time, The Ultimate Herb & Spice Toolkit: Ebook + Recipes + Printables is just $2.99 for the first 100 buyers (regularly $4.99)! This bundle combines my ebook, “A Pinch of This, A Dash of That,” with essential bonus resources like spice pairing guides, delicious recipes, and customizable templates. It’s the perfect way to deepen your culinary skills and confidently season any meal. Discover the complete toolkit and grab this limited-time offer here!
Before you go, don’t forget to check out my article, The Ultimate Beginner Cooking Guide: Simple Tips to Get You Started
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FAQ’s
1. Should I store my spices above the stove for easy access?
It’s best to avoid storing spices above the stove. The heat and steam from cooking can degrade their flavour and aroma over time, and moisture can cause clumping. A cool, dark cupboard or drawer is a better location.
2. What kind of containers are best for storing dried herbs and spices?
Airtight containers made of clear glass are ideal as they prevent air and moisture from getting in, and allow you to easily see your spice levels. Make sure they have a tight-fitting lid.
3. How can I tell if my dried herbs have lost their flavour?
Besides the “rub and sniff” test mentioned earlier, also check the colour. If the herbs have significantly faded in colour compared to when you first bought them, they’ve likely lost much of their flavour.
Inspiration Credits
- Beginner’s guide to BUYING, STORING & ORGANIZING SPICES by Ethan Chlebowski
- Do Spices and Herbs Have an Expiration Date? by Dr. Eric Berg DC
- 3 Ways to Preserve Fresh Herbs For Cooking by Home & Garden for Mere Mortals
- HERB GARDENS BEGINNERS GUIDE || HOW TO || GARDEN BASICS by Little House On The Mountain
