To get the most out of your spices and keep track of everything you've got, it's time to spice things up and clean up the mess. Follow these tips on organizing spices in your kitchen and how best to store spices and herbs for maximum freshness. Once you've done all this, it will make a big impact the next time you turn up the heat in the kitchen.
How to Store Spices and Herbs
Most of us have a collection of dried spices in our homes like cinnamon, paprika, cayenne, nutmeg, turmeric, and dried herbs like oregano, basil, sage, cilantro, sitting in containers in the kitchen. And we've usually got bunches of fresh herbs we've recently bought from the market or in a meal kit. It's important to take stock of all those spices and herbs so you know what you've got and when it's time to toss out the old stuff.
Dried spices and herbs don't necessarily spoil, but they do lose their flavor over time. To keep the flavor going as long as possible, store dried spices and herbs in a cool, dry place out of direct light. We make the mistake of storing our spices and herbs over the stove. That's not good since all that heat will make them turn bland more quickly. Keep the containers closed when not in use.
Fresh herbs need to be stored properly too. You can keep them in the fridge in a jar filled with some water.
How to Organize Spices in Your Kitchen
Keeping your pantry organized will help you enjoy your time cooking more and save you tons of time looking for ingredients. One of the best ways to organize your spices and herbs is by making sure that you can see everything you've got, and not just the stuff you use all the time. After all, it's a waste when a spice disappears into a corner and you forget you even bought it, then you buy the same spice all over again.
Begin by clearing containers with an airtight seal. This will help keep your entire collection fresh, tidy, and visible. Select containers that range in shapes and size to give you flexibility in deciding where to store the containers – in a cabinet, in a drawer, on a turntable, or anywhere you have room. The tight seal helps spices maintain their flavor by keeping out air and moisture, and using labels helps you easily identify each item and write down the date when you bought it.