On Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:43:21 -0800, Oregonian Haruspex
> wrote:

> On 2014-02-14 04:45:32 +0000, T said:
>
> >
> > Some spice do go bad over time though. Me, I go through garlic powder,
> > paprika, cumin, red pepper flake, cayenne, onion powder, oregano,
> > tarragon, and thyme pretty quickly so they don't have a chance to go
> > bad.
>
> Of course spices go bad (really get weak, I don't think I've ever seen
> a rotten or moldy spice), but I think there are steps one can take to
> ensure they don't go bad before their time. I use resealable jars (you
> can get even very tiny Mason jars for canning) to reduce exposure to
> the air, and I keep my spices in a dark, cool spot. I also buy most of
> my spices in bulk either at ethnic or health food stores, which can
> save one a considerable sum of money over time.

I don't know what the definition of "going bad quickly" is, but I keep
my herbs and spices in the refrigerator (which is a cool, dark space)
and mine have high volume flavor for multiple years.

One thing I've learned over the time is there's a reason why you pay
more for certain brands. Take thyme, for instance: bulk thyme and the
$5 for a huge container of thyme at Costco - has more stems and is
just a shadow of thyme flavor compared to high end brands.

--
I take life with a grain of salt, a slice of lemon and a shot of tequila