Herbs and spices

[Smowball]

Ive just gone through my jars(of which there is a lot!) and 4 are past their sell by date. How long is the shelf life and will these definitely be unusble?

[pastafreak]

They won't go 'off'...but they will lose their flavour and and intensity.
If they have little 'perfume'-throw them out.

[rowanwitch]

Herbs and spices are one of the only things where the shelf life is usually too long but best way is to open them and smell them if they are even slightly musty smelling then dump and replace. I only buy very small quantities as they lose their flavour so quickly

[grasscarp]

They wont be unusable, just less powerful than new. I just got back from Grenada, with fresh nutmegs, cinnamon sticks and cloves. This made me review my herbs/spice cupboard and last week I threw away 20 of what I had. Just smelling them you could tell they were no longer contributing much by using them.

[EcclesCake]

Both will lose their intensity over time but whole spices fair better than their ground down versions.

If they were in a cupboard they will have survived better than being in a spice rack in the light.

[rowanwitch]

oooh send us a nutmeg I want to make custard tARTS NOW....

[Smowball]

I have no sense of smell - this may be a problem lol

[rowanwitch]

Ok herbs are green apart from sage if they are grey they are over age

[flump1]

Hi Smowball, take them to the Mad Over Fifty Club on Saturday night, they sound ideal donations for the weekly waffle.

[Smowball]

lol

[tenrec]

When I cleared my stepmother's kitchen out after she died, I found nutmegs that were bought pre decimal. I haven't used them all yet, but they are still strong smelling, yummy.

[tiggerblue10]

I've got herbs in my cupboard that have exceeded their sell-by date by around 3 years. I still use them :o)

[Answerprancer]

Roll the whole lot up and smoke them and see if it alters your consciousness !
..actually, dont.

[Smowball]

lol