Page 22 - Allrecipes (January 2020)

Spice Secrets MIXER SPICE

SECRETS

Ever had a snickerdoodle that blew you away, or an eggnog
with a hint of something delicious you couldn’t quite

place? Often, the difference between a good recipe and a
memorable one is a good-quality cinnamon, freshly grated
nutmeg, or another full-flavored spice. By Tanner Owens

WHAT MAKES A What should I look for
WHAT MAKES A
QUALITY SPICE?
QUALITY SPICE? when buying spices?

Volatile oils (or essential oils) give Because freshness matters, it’s smart
spices their flavor. And even though to choose airtight packages and to
spices don’t really “go bad,” they lose shop at a high-volume grocer or spice
flavor as those oils evaporate over store, where spices don’t linger on the
time. Oil content is different for each shelf. Some brands include a “best
spice; percentages may even differ for by” date right on the label. Some
the same spice from different regions. list country of origin, too, so you can
How quickly a spice fades depends on tell if it’s a spicy-sweet Vietnamese
how it is processed and how much it is cinnamon or a mild, citrusy Ceylon
exposed to heat, light, or air. cinnamon from Sri Lanka.

ANYTHING TO WATCH OUT FOR?

Check the ingredients list for preservatives, additives, or artificial colors, which can
dilute the flavor and make a spice appear fresher than it is. And watch for caking,

which can indicate a broken seal or moisture damage.

I
SHOULD
WHAT’S THE S H O U L D I
How long BEST WAY TO BU WHOLE E
WHOL
BUY Y
do spices keep? OR GROUND?
STORE SPICES?
It depends on the spice and Whole spices like nutmeg last longer
how it’s stored, but whole Put them in airtight glass or amber than ground. Because they are intact,
spices can last up to four jars to help keep flavor in and they have less surface exposed to
years, while ground spices air. Of course, you have to grind or
freshness-stealing air out. Jot the
and herbs degrade grate them yourself. So they’re a little
in one to three years. opened-on date on the jars to help like coffee beans: If you’re using a
you gauge their age later. And tuck lot quickly, you might want to buy
the already ground product. If you’re
them in a cool, dry, dark drawer or
using a little occasionally, you might
cabinet away from the stove. opt for whole and grind as needed.

To tell if your spices are still potent, give ’em a sniff PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

and a taste. Good spices will be full of aroma and flavor,
while old spices will smell and taste dull.

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M A Y W E S U G G E S T

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