Contrary to popular belief, spices do have a shelf life. While they don’t spoil in the conventional way that could pose a health threat, they do get stale. This means they lose their flavor and can’t contribute to your dish the way they should. But most of us are too lazy to keep our spice racks up to date and we buy some spices, leave them on a rack, and completely forget about them until we need them. So how do you know if the spices are stale? Here’s are two ways to check if the spices are okay to still use.
Rub Them Between Your Fingers
The best way to check if your spices are stale is to take a small amount of them and rub them between your fingers. The friction will warm up the spices and cause them to release their fragrance if it has kept their quality. If they are stale, you won’t smell a thing.
Check Out the Color and Texture
Another good indicator is the color. If the spices still have a vibrant color to them and no texture problems, there is a good chance that they still pack flavor. If the color is bland and the spices have started to clump up, move on.
