A: Spices and dried herbs do not spoil, but eventually they do lose some of their flavor. Stored as recommended, you can usually count on seeds and whole spices (such as cumin and dill seeds, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks and peppercorns) staying fresh for three or four years.
Learn the Signs of Expired Spices
Do dried herbs go bad? If so, how can you tell?
The short answer is yes and no. Unlike other foods in your pantry or cupboard, dried spices and immune boosting herbs don’t “go bad” in an obvious way by rotting or turning moldy. However, over time, they can lose their potency. Maybe your cinnamon doesn’t have the same sharpness, or your sage is lacking that distinct herbaceous aroma.
If you’re determining whether or not to replace your herbs and spices, pay attention to the following signs:
- Sell-by date – The first thing to notice is the sell-by date on your herb’s container. While most herbs and spices can last far past this printed date, it’s an accurate representation of how long your seasoning will stay its strongest. This is a helpful starting benchmark. For example, if you’re dusting off your rosemary and it’s years past the sell-by date, you might be in the market for a new jar.
- Smell test – When it comes to herbs and spices, this is the only way you can truly determine their freshness. To test the potency, shake a small amount of the seasoning into your hand and rub it around thoroughly. If you take a whiff and the fresh herb or fresh spice still smells faint, take that as a sign that it’s time to replace it.
Step 2: Stay Organized
An organized spice cabinet is an efficient spice cabinet. When your collection stays neat and tidy, you’re more likely to use up your herbs and spices before they expire. It’s particularly important to introduce visual cues that will help you keep track of how long the seasoning has been around.
Consider the following for examples of such reminders:
- Rotate through your spice cabinet on a weekly or monthly basis, bringing rarely used spices to the front so you’re more likely to remember them.
- Arrange your seasoning chronologically, placing older spices at the front to remind yourself to use them.
- Label each herb and spice with a sticky note detailing the date it was opened to keep a closer watch on spices that have been open for a while.
Do Spices and Herbs Have an Expiration Date?
FAQ
How do you know if herbs are bad?
What is the shelf life for herbs?
Can you use spices 2 years out of date?
Can fresh herbs go out of date?
How long do herbs last?
Dried herbs like basil, rosemary, and sage are best between 1 and 3 years if you store them correctly. Ground and powdered herbs like cinnamon, paprika, and ginger last a little less long because they have more surface area to oxidize. Whole spices, on the other hand, last quite long.
Is it okay to eat herbs daily?
Herbs and spices are known to have medicinal properties, so, it is okay to take them daily, but in moderation, as an excessive intake can prove toxic and potentially dangerous side effects.
Are dried herbs dangerous after expiration date?
Like herbal supplements, spices and dried herbs don’t become dangerous after their “expiration date.” They simply become less potent and delicious! In Fresno, California a cache of pharmaceutical medicines was found that had been kept dark and dry for 50 years. They were within 90% potent.
Do herbal supplements have an expiration date?
All this means that your herbal supplements might not have an expiration date on them. But if they do have a sell or best-by date, it’s often still ok to consume them after this date passes. The expiration date for supplements usually reflects how long an herb or supplement will remain at 100% potency.