How to store seasonings and spices: useful tips

Do not like to cook? Then you go out. The rest - welcome. After all, you are the regulars of culinary sites. And it is your collection of magic supplements that grows every day. And at a certain point the question arises: how to store seasonings and spices? We’ll talk about this today.

General recommendations

Many articles on the Internet provide beautiful photos of storage options upon request. No doubt, spectacular design decisions and charming jars are pleasing to the eye. But no one ever asked seasoning what they wanted. It is clear that there is no answer. But after all, a change in appearance, smell, taste, the appearance of mold is also a kind of answer.

Those who actually know how to use spices have long developed some important rules for themselves.

Ground condiments expire much faster. Professionals prefer to buy whole spices, and store them only in this form. Grind or crush just before adding to the dish. Of course, unless the recipe suggests otherwise. For during storage magic aromas disappear from the grinded seasonings much more actively.

Absolutely all spices are afraid of the light. This is the question of beautiful photos from the Internet. Bright lockers, original shelves, stylish roof rails and ... the absolute availability of sunlight to jars and boxes. Even dark glass containers do not save the situation.

In principle, there is a way out of any situation. For example, replace transparent containers:

• wooden
• dark plastic
• opaque glass
• thick cardboard

Only before placing spices and seasonings for storage, make sure that the jar does not let in light. Then only beauty will remain, the smell and taste will be gone.

Not a single seasoning likes a sharp temperature drop. For example, some hostesses manage to store them in the refrigerator, in sealed jars. And for some reason, it is always at the door. Each time you open, warm air from the room enters. Condensation forms inside the jar. So aromatic additives disappear.

The only type of spices that are not afraid of such differences is capsicum. All other seasonings should not be dragged into the refrigerator. An ideal place for them would be a separate cabinet or drawer.

Of course, in most kitchens there is no way to allocate a separate compartment for spices due to the small space. But remember, before everyone had a wall-mounted first-aid kit? It can be very interesting to decorate or beat to the interior of the kitchen. Why not keep your stocks in it? It takes up little space, hangs on a wall, does not bother anyone. The temperature inside is suitable. Not a bad decision.

Humidity. A terrible scourge of any seasoning. It is especially harmful for those cooks who like to store spices in jars with holes. Moisture penetrates through them and allows mold spores to begin to work in your reserves. Or even just turning a loose fragrant into a smelly clumpy lump.

Remember! All spices should be stored in airtight jars with ground lids. Especially if these are very significant reserves. After all, it is insanely sorry to throw away the precious additive later.

Tip. From jars with holes, do not pour seasonings directly into the pan or into your plate. Steam rising from food will do its insidious business. Take a tablespoon, pour the spice there, and only then - in the food. So you will be sure that moisture has not penetrated into the container. Yes, and dosing is easier.

Useful Tips

Look in the kitchen to the average hostess. What can you see there? That's right, a packet of seasoning bags. Everything is printed out, the smells mix, the tastes change.It is clear that our ladies are not all the great cooks who will shake over a cinnamon stick or vanilla pod. But why not do it easier?

• We go to the store.
• We buy a stack of small bags with a zip fastener.
• We are returning home.
• Pour into bags all printed seasonings separately.
• We remove in a common bag.

Alternatively, you can put these bags in a beautiful box or plastic container. Convenient, always available and odors do not mix.

By the way, we strongly recommend that you keep such an organizer on the table next to the stove or on the windowsill above the battery. Even non-ground seasonings under the influence of heat begin to give their taste and aroma. Straight into the air. As a result, after a while, you may be very surprised. The additive was poured into the dish, but there was practically no effect. This is the result of your negligence.

Place the bag box in a cupboard or shelf. In a word, to any place, away from heat.

Tip. Be sure to sign each bag! Desirable permanent marker. Then you do not have to guess what is inside. And you won’t have to open the clasp again in search of a clue.

Some sources recommend storing seasonings in cloth bags. This option is acceptable if you intend to use herbs and roots in the near future. Otherwise, your reserves will face a sad fate: weathering, absorption of moisture from the air and loss of taste and aroma qualities. It will be really a pity if valuable stocks go bad.

How often, when walking around a market or a bazaar, does your nose feel a wonderful aroma of spices? And now, the legs themselves, not obeying the owner, carry you to the treasured tray with seasonings. Eyes run up, hands reach for the wallet ... stop! Are you really going to buy this? And even eat it?

Before the deal, think about how many days the sun's rays affected seasonings. How many winds threw gusts of dust into the containers. How many rains passed and the air around was humid.

Now, decide whether to add such spices to your dishes or not.

How to store seasonings and spices? Very carefully. Otherwise, all your values ​​will lose their taste and aroma. Of course, as in antiquity, empires will not collapse and the war for pepper will not begin. But without due attention, your personal cooking collapse is guaranteed.

Video: storage of spices, seasonings and bulk products