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Original poster

How out of date would you use herbs and spices?

49 replies

MaggieFS · 04/11/2023 08:27

Having a cupboard clear out. Various opened and unfinished herbs and spices jars. I'm wondering at what point you would deem them too far out of date to use? I've found:

Celery Salt 2017
Ginger 2017
Parsley 2015
Nutmeg 2009
Sage 2008
Turmeric 2007
Cumin 2007

And an undated split pouch of coriander which is going in the bin regardless because the stuff is pure evil and I can't believe I ever tried to cook with it.

OP posts:
PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 04/11/2023 08:29

All fine. They’re dried; they’re designed to last forever!

I would use them all 🤷🏻‍♀️

Grapefruitsquash · 04/11/2023 08:30

Herbs and spices lose their flavour quite quickly. They'd be safe but tasteless. They are all probably not usable but you can taste/smell them to check.

ErikaReadsTheDailyMail · 04/11/2023 08:30

I'm sure someone will be along in a minute to say that you can't use any of these a second out of date.

But to be honest I'd use any of the twenty-teens stuff and probably replace the Naughties-dated ones and treat yourself to new ones.

As far as I know they will lose their potency and flavour a bit, but not do ant harm.

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Mrsjayy · 04/11/2023 08:30

I've had dried herbs years the only one that I am iffy about is oregano it starts to smell like pencil sharpenings.

Manadou · 04/11/2023 08:31

I have half of a nutmeg that is at least 20 years old.

Talipesmum · 04/11/2023 08:32

I’d use them all but if the ginger is ground, it’s likely to have lost a lot of flavour and I might replace it. The nutmeg would also be fine if whole but I don’t think ground nutmeg lasts that long (it’s totally safe but not as flavoursome as it should be).

Firsttimemum623 · 04/11/2023 08:34

I've literally never looked at the date on any of my herbs & spices 😂 So you can probably guess that yeah I'd use all of them 👍

RampantIvy · 04/11/2023 08:34

Grapefruitsquash · 04/11/2023 08:30

Herbs and spices lose their flavour quite quickly. They'd be safe but tasteless. They are all probably not usable but you can taste/smell them to check.

This ^^

I use spices a lot more than the OP so mine aren't that old. I should think that they would have very little taste by now.

Original poster
MaggieFS · 04/11/2023 08:45

Firsttimemum623 · 04/11/2023 08:34

I've literally never looked at the date on any of my herbs & spices 😂 So you can probably guess that yeah I'd use all of them 👍

Well I don't think I have for a good ten years!

OP posts:
Damnloginpopup · 04/11/2023 08:46

I'd never use Old Spice. It's not the 1970's you know 😁

Original poster
MaggieFS · 04/11/2023 08:46

Grapefruitsquash · 04/11/2023 08:30

Herbs and spices lose their flavour quite quickly. They'd be safe but tasteless. They are all probably not usable but you can taste/smell them to check.

Hadn't thought of that - good point

OP posts:
Wwwnothingdotcom · 04/11/2023 08:47

It's not use by date but best before date

PinkRoses1245 · 04/11/2023 08:47

They will be fine forever but they will lose their taste after that long. I’d replace on that basis

PinkRoses1245 · 04/11/2023 08:48

Wwwnothingdotcom · 04/11/2023 08:47

It's not use by date but best before date

Neither of which are relevant to a herb or spice

Original poster
MaggieFS · 04/11/2023 08:50

ErikaReadsTheDailyMail · 04/11/2023 08:30

I'm sure someone will be along in a minute to say that you can't use any of these a second out of date.

But to be honest I'd use any of the twenty-teens stuff and probably replace the Naughties-dated ones and treat yourself to new ones.

As far as I know they will lose their potency and flavour a bit, but not do ant harm.

Yes, that's roughly where I'm thinking to make a cut off! I think the oldest ones were probably bought in the first exciting days of post student life and home ownership with visions of hosting fabulous dinner parties serving home cooked delights.

The reality is I'm now a middle aged, haggard mum. And I probably don't need them anyway.
Although sage comes from the garden now and I will aim to use Nutmeg more.

OP posts:
twilightcafe · 04/11/2023 08:52

Bin them - they'll taste like dust.

ErrolTheDragon · 04/11/2023 08:54

If they still smell and taste as they should, use them.
If they don't, there's no point using them.

Mine are all 2020 onward because during lockdown DH helpfully had a clear out of 'old' stuff and didn't realise quite a lot of my herb jars had been refilled over the last decade or two.🤦🏼‍♀️ though one or two like celery salt may have been genuinely old. I wouldn't mind (he replaced them) but not all the new jars fit my spice rack.

arethereanyleftatall · 04/11/2023 08:54

Depends.

They'll be fine but tasteless.

So...

If my dc has food tech and needs paprika - 1972 not a problem.

If I'm cooking a meal for friends, and I want to impress, I'd buy a new one even if it was just out.

Original poster
MaggieFS · 04/11/2023 09:00

Damnloginpopup · 04/11/2023 08:46

I'd never use Old Spice. It's not the 1970's you know 😁

😂

But the young 'uns at work tell me Old Spice is back in!

OP posts:
LadyEloise1 · 04/11/2023 09:05

Glad I'm not alone with out of date spices and herbs.
I do a cull every now and then. Smile

maw29 · 04/11/2023 09:06

I watched a programme on bbc1 about this years ago and the results were that the spices only lose some potency and are not dangerous to consume.

C8H10N4O2 · 04/11/2023 09:08

As PP say - its not a safety thing its a flavour thing. Sniff or taste them then compare to a fresher spice or herb - the difference is very marked.

Fifteen year old ground spices and herbs are unlikely to add much flavour to anything. Larger solid spices will last longer.

Original poster
MaggieFS · 04/11/2023 09:09

I'm feeling a bit sad saying ta-ta to the Turmeric and ciao to the Cumin.

There's a little part of the excitement of young adulthood going away with them into the food caddy!

OP posts:
Crabacus · 04/11/2023 09:09

I'd get rid of everything but the nutmeg just because they'll be flavourless by now.
Nutmeg is freshly grated so shouldn't be so much of an issue. And you clearly aren't using any of them much, so no loss!

BitofaStramash · 04/11/2023 09:09

They won't do any harm but you'd probably find that replacing them improves the flavour of your food.

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