— Jackie Sarlitt

I love this question because I love spices. And, uh, tell you something. Um, you know, when you go to a place where spices are produced, um, and India, you know, is one example, uh, you will learn that spices are a seasonal food. And, you know, if you live, um, you know, in such a region or within, um, you know, access, uh, you can be anywhere, I suppose, but let's say you have access to, uh, spices in their, um, sort of seasonal rotation, then you know how the flavor is wonderful. Uh, you get these subtle notes, um, and more complex notes. Um, floral notes and fruity notes tend to expire quickest. Those tend to be the most volatile, it seems, uh, you know, within these com, these, uh, um, aroma compounds. Um, and, um, there's a big difference. And, uh, so, you know, the first thing I say is that spices are seasonal. So if you can move through your inventory on an annual basis and refresh them from a, a, a, a, a source that has high turnover of their inventory, so you can get the freshest product that you can get your hands on, uh, that's the best situation, okay? Uh, I mean, otherwise, eh, you know, try to use 'em up within a couple three years. Uh, you know, spices, um, like a lot of dry foods, they will slowly degrade or decline over time. And, uh, you know, spices, um, um, at least in my experience, don't go rancid. You know, like things like, uh, nuts and seeds will, but they will gradually, you know, transform and dull in flavor as, as things shift and as, as things, um, those volatile compounds dissipate. And so the flavor fades, right? So, uh, they're certainly edible, you know, five, six, sometimes 10 years from now, but they're just not as good. Okay? Um, so, you know, keep that in mind. Try to use 'em up as quick as you can. And this is where I say add spices to everything morning, noon, and night, uh, for two reasons. One, because it makes your food taste good. And number two, because spices are good for you, uh, they can, they contain so many phenolic, uh, compounds and, and these phytonutrients, uh, that are really good for us. And don't wait to read about the beneficial effects of spices because, uh, in the, uh, western scientific community anyway, uh, the knowledge isn't there yet. You'll be waiting years and probably decades before folks do, uh, enough research on all the benefits of all the spices to fully or maybe better understand what we have going, uh, instead just enjoy spices, uh, knowing that your food will tastes better and you will benefit from, uh, all of that plant-based goodness. Okay? Um, enjoy.