Spices in the Indian kitchen play a crucial role in making food delicious. Whether whole or ground, spices have the magical ability to transform the taste of every dish. However, it's important to store these spices properly to maintain their quality. Improper storage can lead to spoiled or tasteless spices. Here are some tips on how to store spices to increase their shelf life:
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Airtight Containers
The first step to storing spices is to keep them in airtight containers. Spices tend to attract moisture, so it's essential to keep them away from air. Use jars or containers with airtight lids to ensure that air does not enter.
To keep spices fresh and flavorful for a long time, store them away from hot stoves, ovens, and sunlight. Heat exposure can cause spices to lose their flavour. Install a separate rack for spices, keeping them away from direct sunlight and hot appliances.
To keep spices fresh and tasty for longer, label the containers with the date. This will help you track their freshness and avoid confusion between spices with similar textures and colours.
During the monsoon season, salt and spices can become moist, turn lumpy, and lose their quality. Keep stored spices away from damp places, such as near the sink. You can also try storing spices with moisture-absorbent packets.
Whole spices have a longer shelf life than ground spices. If you have limited space, no airtight containers, or live in a humid environment, consider buying whole spices and grinding them as needed.