Spices: Where to store, when to discard?

Spices are an indispensable ingredient to make dishes every day. However, to preserve the best taste, it is necessary to have knowledge and skills in this matter, such as temperature and how long to store.

Currently, shops or supermarkets have a lot of different spices to serve for everyday cooking. Therefore, the culture of using spices is present in many parts of the world, as a way to add flavor to dishes. It is for this reason that the preservation of spices should be taken care of to ensure safety for health and not be wasted.
Most spices go through a process to preserve them for a long time. This means that spices can be displayed in stores for long periods of time without spoiling. Some spices can be stored at room temperature even after opening, but brands still recommend storing them in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. Even so, every food or condiment will eventually expire, so check the use-by date on the product packaging.
2. Condiment Storage Temperature Any condiments that contain dairy like sour cream or prepared salad dressings should be placed in the refrigerator immediately, keeping in mind that they are on the shelf, not the door. fridge. As for sauces and other cheese products, they are all stabilized foods. A general rule to remember is that if produce is refrigerated in the grocery store, put it in the fridge as soon as you get home.
Some sauces and cheeses can be left at room temperature until opened before the expiration date. This also applies to chili sauce, mayonnaise, jam, jellies, wasabi...
Seasonings that keep for a long time like mustard, vinegar, red wine... don't need to be stored too cold like those Others should be placed in the refrigerator door, ensuring that the refrigerator temperature is always 40 ̊F or less.
As honey is an acidic spice and low in moisture, it is difficult for bacteria to penetrate, so there is no need to store honey in the refrigerator. Moreover, if you keep honey in the refrigerator, it will solidify when taken out, so it needs to be reheated before using.
We can also freeze any spices, except dairy products. After defrosting the spices, the taste may not be as good as the original, but this method can prolong the shelf life of the spices. Note that the freezer should be set to 0 ̊F or less.

Most spices go through a process to preserve them for a long time. Some spices can be stored at room temperature even after opening. Even so, spices will eventually expire, so check the expiration date on the product packaging. One effective method is to keep in mind the shelf life of all spices and their specific storage practices.
With leftover ketchup or mustard packets, they do not need to be refrigerated, but if opened and used, they should be used up once and thrown away if there is any left over.
Just like other food storage, we should arrange and follow the principle that what is bought first will be used first. This will help save costs and make tracking the product's expiration date more convenient.
Any spice with a strange taste, unusual color, appearance of mold, cloudy film floating on top, it is a sign of damaged condition. Therefore, they should be removed immediately and should not be eaten with any such spices.
In short, preserving dry or wet seasoning is a very detailed and meticulous process. Therefore, always carefully refer to this information on the product packaging and have a reasonable arrangement to ensure safe use.

Reference source: webmd.com