Spices are the heart and soul of Indian cuisine, adding a burst of flavour, colour, and aroma to dishes. Beyond their culinary magic, spices have found applications in medicine, cosmetics, and more, thanks to their incredible properties. However, if you're like most households in India, you've probably encountered the all-too-common issue of your spice collection turning bland, odourless, and stale.
As a result, many people find themselves frequently purchasing fresh spices because using a three-month-old, flavourless, and lacklustre Garam Masala in their dishes just doesn't cut it. Moreover, larger spice jars present even more challenges, often leading to clumpy and deteriorated spices. It's high time we view our spices as perishable treasures.
That Garam Masala jar that's been sitting in your spice cabinet for months? Chances are, it's discoloured, clumpy, and utterly devoid of flavour. Adding more of these aged and lacklustre ingredients won't enhance your culinary creations. Embracing this perspective, Phulo Phalo has consistently packaged their spices, herbs, and blends in small, airtight glass jars, ensuring the preservation of fresh flavours for an extended period.
In this blog post, we'll explore why smaller spice jars are the key to fresher spices and provide you with five essential tips for preserving the essence of your spices.
The Perishable Nature of Spices:
First and foremost, it's crucial to recognize that spices are perishable ingredients. Unlike fine wines that age gracefully, spices do quite the opposite. That jar of Garam Masala that's been sitting in your cabinet for a decade? It's likely discoloured, clumpy, and tastes like nothing. Adding more of such old and weak spices won't revive your dishes. The solution? Start thinking of your spices as perishable and handle them with care.
The Case for Smaller Spice Jars:
Larger spice jars might seem like a good idea for those who love to cook, but they come with their own set of problems. Spices in bigger containers tend to clump together, losing their freshness more quickly. To combat this, consider using smaller glass jars with airtight lids. These smaller containers help maintain the fresh flavour of your spices for a longer duration.
Five Tips for Spice Storage:
-
Sealed Containers:
Spices should always be stored in sealed containers. Exposure to air can cause spices to lose their flavour rapidly. Whether you opt for glass jars or metal tins, make sure they are tightly closed. -
Shield from Sunlight:
Direct sunlight can be a spice's worst enemy. While displaying a beautiful array of handmade spice jars on a shelf may be appealing, it accelerates the loss of flavour. To preserve your spices, store them in a drawer or cabinet away from the sun's rays. -
Keep Away from Heat:
Spices should be kept away from heat sources. While the shelf above your stove might seem convenient, heat can quickly diminish their flavor. Also, avoid storing spices near your dishwasher, as it emits less obvious but potentially damaging heat. -
Guard Against Moisture:
Moisture is another threat to spices' shelf life. Placing spices near the stove can not only harm their flavour but also pose a fire hazard. Never store spices in the freezer, and ensure that measuring spoons are completely dry before dipping them into spice or herb containers. -
Monitor Spice Age:
Unlike fine wines, spices have no universally accepted shelf life. However, most experts agree that whole spices last longer than ground ones, with an optimal flavour window of one to two years. To ensure the freshest flavour, consider purchasing whole spices and grinding them just before use. Always trust your senses – if a spice no longer looks, smells, or tastes right, it's time to bid it farewell.
Spices are the culinary gems that make Indian dishes come alive. To fully savour their magic, treat spices as perishable ingredients and store them with care. Opt for smaller spice jars to maintain freshness and follow the five essential storage tips to preserve the essence of your spices. By doing so, you'll ensure that every dish you prepare is bursting with vibrant flavours and fragrances, making your culinary creations truly unforgettable. So, embark on your next spice-shopping adventure with confidence, knowing that your spices will remain as fresh as the day you bought them.
Happy cooking!