Sometimes it's easy to know when it's time to replace that dusty carton of ground nutmeg or cinnamon. Um, the fact that it's dusty is one clue. Another is a price tag on the bottom that reads "19 cents" (ah, the good old days).
We're exaggerating, but everyone empathizes. We all have spice skeletons in our pantries. Still, it bears repeating that ground spices and herbs lose their potency in time. It's not that you can't use them when they're a couple of years old (though anything that predates the 21st century should be replaced).
What better time to freshen your collection than the beginning of the holiday season?
McCormick has created spicecheckchallenge.com, a Web site that lets you check the freshness (or lack thereof) of its products. Users just type in the code on a container to determine how old it is.
Here are a few other tips:
•Color and aroma are good indicators of freshness. "If the color has faded, chances are the flavor has faded as well." Ditto for aroma.
•Many containers now have "use by" dates, but when you open a jar and expose it to air, it doesn't hurt to write that date somewhere on the label, too.
•Store containers in a cool, dark, moisture-free place (in other words, away from ovens or dishwashers).
Chicago Tribune
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