Michigan State University Extension
Preserving Food Safely - 01600638
10/13/97

### SPICES, STORAGE

        Since  commercially ground spices lose their flavor and

    aroma
     quickly-within six months- many people like to  grind

    their
    own.  As long as spices are whole, you can safely keep

    them
     tightly  capped in a kitchen cupboard.  Spices release

    their
    oils  by  cracking  or  grinding  them,  you  multiply

    their
    surface area at  least  eightfold and  expose them  to

    oxygen.
     Then the spices belong in the freezer.  (That's why

    ground
    coffee belongs in the freezer, too).

        A coffee  mill can be used for  spice grinding.  If you

    blend
     your  own curry seasonings from whole spices, be sure

    to
    keep  the  leftover mixture and the partially used spices

    in
    the freezer.

       Green   peppercorns   are  highly   perishable  immature

    peppercorns.
     If they  are purchased packed  in  brine,  you

    should
    expect green   peppercorns  to spoil.   Either freeze

    them
    on a cookie sheet,  collect them in a jar and keep them

    in
    the freezer, or add them to butter and freeze them.

        One  category of spices belong  in  the refrigerator or

    the
    freezer for  reasons  of safety,  as  well as for flavor

    retention.
     Red spices, including red pepper, chili  powder,

    all
    the  paprikas and cayenne pepper  contain insect eggs in

    their
    tissues, even after they've been ground up.   When the

    temperature
    and the humidity are high, worms can grow.

##### Go To Top of File &&&&&& MSU Extension Home Page &&&&&& Main Page for this Data Base

###### This information is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. This information becomes public property upon publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise a commercial product or company. This file was generated from data base 01 on 03/09/98. Data base 01 was last revised on 10/13/97. For more information about this data base or its contents please contact wrublec@msue.msu.edu . Please read our disclaimer for important information about using our site.