In article >,
Dave Smith > wrote:

> timbrel wrote:
> >
> > Maybe this is silly, but in re-arranging my pantry I find dried
> > chipotles, other dried chiles, and sun-dried tomatoes. They are old I
> > know, but they look--please don't laugh--lifeless. The dried
> > mushrooms, that may or may not be as old, still look good. Is there an
> > expiration date? I hate to through them out if they can still be used,
> > I'm sure I paid a fortune for them at some specialty store. Any ideas
> > would be appreciated.
>
> I have a plastic container of dried chile flakes, about equivalent to a 14
> oz can. It was half as much for that big jar as it was for one of those
> tiny spice jar size bottles, so it seemed like a good deal. I use a pinch
> of chillies on a dish about once a week. I t is about half empty now, and
> I have had it for at least 15 years. Those chilli flakes are still hot.

I'm using some that came from Egyptian tombs...... just kidding.
Actually I've used some at about five year and they were still amazingly
good!