Oh my goodness! What a terrible thing to say and what a terrible thing to write an article about especially by one of the most frugal person on this planet!
But it is true and necessary if you want your food to be flavored at its best. You work hard to create a delicious, healthy and flavorful meal so do not spoil it with outdated herbs and spices whether they are those you have grown and dried or those you have spent your hard earned cash for at your local super market.
Herbs and spices do not grow rancid like a whole grain product can or even as most of our oils can. However, they can just lose their flavor as their essential oils fade away after one year and don't think "doubling" up on the amount you add to your cooking will over compensate for that fact!
Keeping your herbs away from heat, light, air and moisture will help them to last longer and retain their flavor longer and that means not storing them near your dishwasher, microwave, oven, stove or kitchen sink since all of them give off heat, moisture and humidity. Don't store them in plastic bags or on a nice rack where the sun comes in from one of your kitchen windows. Good glass containers with a tight rubber seal is best and store them in a dark space. For those who can afford the fancy small tins that connect to a magnetic strip inside your cupboard door then this is the way to go.
The frugal me, uses the glass containers that I have recycled such as small mustard jars, other glass herb containers and though I no longer have access to them, baby food jars are great. Just make sure you really wash and DRY all your recycled jars well.
If you want to store your herbs on your counter or anywhere there is light then use small ceramic, earthen ware or dark glass jars.
For those who have access to the small baby food jars then a great place to keep them in on their sides in rows inside one of your kitchen drawers. Make sure your jars are labeled. Should you not be a grower of herbs, but a buyer of them and just do the same thing with the jars you buy or empty them into the baby food jars should you wish the jar sizes to be consistent.
To save on herbs and spices "partner" up with a friend or relative that likes the same herb or spice you do and share the cost of the purchase and "halve" the contents. It saves you money, makes for less waste and unless you are an industrial cooker you will probably only use a half of the herb or spice during a years time.
If you want to be a great cooker who knows how to use herbs and spices remember to "junk" all your herbs and spices after one year and you will be glad you did.
"Tread the Earth Lightly" and in the meantime May your day be filled with Peace, Light and Love,
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