How Long Do Spices Last In Long Term Storage?

I buy my spices in bulk to save money and for long term storage. A 1 lb bag of bulk purchased cinnamon for example, is equivalent to 6½ typical spice jars sold at the supermarket. A pound of bulk cinnamon costs $6.50 or about the cost of two of the small jars so you get 4 free jars this way.

When I repack my bulk purchased spices I do so in small Mylar bags in the amount of a typical spice jar, about 2½ oz, along with an oxygen absorber in each bag. I am counting on 10+ years of life from storing them this way. When the Mylar bag is opened, the total contents can be transferred in one original spice jar. Do I expect them to be at full potency when stored long term? No, but they will have enough strength to provide me with the flavor enhancements desired in our meals prepared from long term stored foods.

I base my storage time and method on actual use in my kitchen. We also have a number of spices that have been in the original can (those are really old) and the original supermarket jars for over 10 years. They still work. Occasionally a little more is needed in the recipe to get to the original taste level but again that’s OK.

Many TV Chef’s tell you to purge your pantry of spices every 6 months but that’s not necessary and it’s expensive. The spice companies like McCormick, do not agree with these Chef’s. They tell you to keep and use the spices as long as they have flavor because spices do not spoil but they do lose some of their potency over time.

A 5-10 year old spice may require more of spice than what’s called for in the recipe to equal the original taste the recipe was meant to deliver. This is perfectly fine when dealing with old spices. Use your own taste to determine if you need more even double the amount called for to get the taste you’re looking for. If double or triple the spice is needed to get the taste you’re looking for then it may be time to discard them.

To keep your spice potency high, keep away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. These elements contribute to the loss of color, flavor and aroma of spices and herbs. Avoid storing over the stove, dishwasher, sink or near a window.

Spices need not be stored in the freezer. Freezing does not extend the shelf life of regularly used dried spices and herbs. If stored in the freezer and repeatedly removed for use, condensation will form in the bottles and accelerate loss of flavor and aroma.

Here’s one of many online bulk spice retailers. I use this company and have had no issues with the products or service:
http://www.bulkfoods.com/spices.asp