Expired? in A small but passable life.
- June 5, 2024, 7:50 p.m.
- |
- Public
I don’t remember exactly when it was, a year or two or three ago I made some biscuits from scratch. They turned out like little stones. Today I was going through Mom’s spice cabinet and noticed that the baking powder had an expiration date of 2003. Only 21 years old? So, google said that opened baking powder should be thrown out after six months. Now, my question is- How the fuck does one use 10 ounces of baking powder in less than six months? Especially when most recipes call for just a quarter teaspoon.
Anyway, now I’m inspired to go through the cabinet and toss EVERYTHING. My personal spice collection consists of a small pepper grinder, salt shaker and onion and garlic powders. Oh, and cardamom along with cinnamon and vanilla extract (quarter teaspoon each in my oatmeal). That’s it. I have been trying to use up odds and ends, like steak seasoning, seasoned salt, ect., that Mom had collected.
This isn’t a spice rack on the wall. This is a dedicated upper cabinet in the kitchen. It has one shelf dividing it and the sides and back are covered with little shelves for all the little containers. Alphabetically arranged of course. Dad had made that for Mom when they first bought the trailer. It is pretty fancy.
Theoretically, to assuage my guilt in tossing everything that Mom has collected I need to remember that I’ve used none of them in the last three and a half years and I know that most have been there for probably the whole twenty-four years. And maybe even longer if Mom had them before they moved in here. Who knows? After Dad died in‘05 she just never really wanted to cook anymore. And everything just stayed in the cabinet.
I don’t know what does or doesn’t expire over time. Should I just toss something if it has an expiration date on it? Or do I have to google everything?
Who said retirement is boring?
Last updated June 05, 2024
Amelie's Twin ⋅ June 05, 2024
I helped my mom go through my grandfather's house after he passed in '14. We found a jar of curry powder in the pantry with a best by date of 1975. Probably bought for one recipe and never used again. I didn't dare test it out; something tells me that a spice older than I am probably wouldn't taste good at all.
Emily ⋅ June 06, 2024
Toss it all! No idea why baking powder is sold in such large quantities but it's cheap so it doesn't matter I guess?
Jinn ⋅ June 06, 2024
Spices generally have a long shelf life, but some retain their potency and flavor longer than others. The longevity of a spice depends on factors like its form (whole vs. ground), storage conditions, and its natural composition. Here are some spices known for their extended shelf life:
1. Whole Spices: Generally, whole spices last longer than their ground counterparts because they retain their essential oils and volatile compounds better. Examples include:
- Peppercorns: Can last for 3-4 years.
- Cinnamon sticks: Last for about 3-4 years.
- Whole cloves: Retain potency for about 3-4 years.
- Nutmeg (whole): Can stay fresh for up to 4 years.
Oregano: Maintains potency for about 1-2 years.
Seeds: Some seeds used as spices can also last quite long.
Fennel seeds: Can be kept for 3-4 years.
Roots and Rhizomes: These tend to have longer shelf lives when stored properly.
I have had some of these even longer and they were fine . :-)
Mr. Mofo ⋅ June 08, 2024
Let the spices return to the earth