HOW TO KEEP AND PRESERVE SPICESMany of us think it looks good to store all our spices in little glass jars in a stand out in your kitchen for everyone to see or we keep our ginger and garlic in the vegetable bowl on the counter. We are actually storing our spices incorrectly and will only aid them in loosing their flavor and freshness.
How to keep fresh spices:
Spices such as garlic, ginger, galangal and lemongrass should all be stored in a cool damp place i.e. in a fridge. The can last up to 2-3 weeks if stored correctly.
Lime and curry leaves should also be stored in the fridge. If you would like to keep the fresh spices for longer but realize you will not use all of them I time you can also bash them to a paste, store in a airtight container and freeze them for up to 6 months.
How to keep dried and ground spices:
Both ground and whole spices should be kept in a dark, cool area in airtight containers. So at the back of a cupboard or pantry is perfect not in broad sunlight because is strips the spices of its flavor.
Most dried and whole spices will keep for at least 5 months but ground spices tend to loose their flavor, aroma and color
Mustard seeds and ready made mustard sealed can last up to 1 year and if you open the mustard just place in the fridge and will still keep for up to a year.
Vanilla pods can be stored in a cool dry area fro up to 2 years.
Any little jars you have kept and cleaned are good for spices as long as they are airtight and you store them filled with spices in a cupboard there are no need to go out and buy fancy jars or bottles.
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