Storing spices in the kitchen - the most important tips

Curry, pepper, rosemary, etc. - Spices and herbs in all colors, shapes, and flavors can create real chaos in the kitchen. With proper storage, you not only save space, time, and money, but also ensure that your home-cooked food tastes even better.

Why proper storage of spices is important

Spices have one task: to provide the right flavor to the dishes we prepare. Seasoned vegetables (check how to season vegetables) have a unique, deep flavor. However, if spices are stored improperly, they begin to systematically lose their qualities. With too much heat, moisture, and light, they lose color and aroma. Therefore, storing spices above or next to the oven is not always beneficial. But as we know, we also eat with our eyes. Proper storage of spices also means creating order. Because if we are honest, cooking in an organized kitchen is twice as much fun. Proper storage of spices also allows you to save time, money, and space.

How to store spices?

There can be many ideas for storing spices. However, the priority,
in a way the basis of storing spices is to preserve their aroma. After all, we add spices to meals so that our final dish tastes good to all household members. Therefore, in every kitchen, these three rules should always be followed:

3 rules for storing herbs and spices

Tight closure:

Spices should be tightly sealed. For example, spice jars or cans with rubber seals are suitable for this. You can also use glass jars. If you don't want to transfer the spices, you can use bag clips. Properly secured products should resist moisture and air exposure.

Why should spices be stored in airtight jars and containers? There are two reasons for this. On one hand, the valuable aroma that ultimately gives flavor to dishes should not fade over time. In other words, spices do not lose their potency. On the other hand, practical containers will much better protect our precious spices from pests and moisture. Moreover, appropriate boxes are much more durable than any bags.

Keep the darkness:

Light is a real problem for spices and herbs. Therefore, they should always be stored in opaque containers or in a cupboard or drawer. No light, whether natural or artificial, is beneficial for spices. Under the influence of light, the herbs stored in the kitchen lose their color and scent, which means that dishes will be less vibrant in appearance and less rich in aroma.

Despite the fact that a spice organizer or spice rack will look nice on the countertop in our home, we should opt for darker places in our kitchen. A practical solution would be, for example, to create a special drawer where you will store the spices.

Separate jars for spices:

If you should follow one rule, it is this: never store open spice packets in a common container. Spices quickly release their aroma into the environment and easily absorb foreign smells if not properly sealed. Therefore, always keep them separate from each other.

Separate containers for spices or small jars also perfectly protect our herbs from moisture. Moist spices clump together, lose flavor, and worst of all, can become a breeding ground for mold and harmful microorganisms.

Shelf life: how long can spices be stored?

Most dried spices have a shelf life of one to three years. Whole spices, meaning those that are neither ground nor chopped, can be stored for longer. Therefore, buying whole spices is a good solution. We can then grind them only when we need them. Regardless of the type, spices should always be stored in a dark, dry place. They should also be tightly sealed. Always pay attention to the expiration date, regularly check your collection, and see if the appearance, smell, or taste has changed.

Plastic spice containers or glass jars - what to choose?

When choosing containers for storing spices, we should primarily pay attention to 2 features - the containers should be hermetic and opaque. It is precisely because of this second feature that plastic spice containers will work much better in our kitchen than glass packaging. Sunlight is one of the main factors negatively affecting our herbs. Containers made of plastic will protect our herbs like no one else.

If you decide to keep spices in plastic boxes, check if they are free from harmful substances, such as BPA. Only containers made from high-quality plastic are fully safe.

However, remember that whether you use glass, cans, or even original packaging depends entirely on you. Storing spices in the kitchen should be comfortable and convenient.

A few ideas for storing spices - inspirations

plastic containers:

Are you looking for the perfect
containers for storing spices in your cupboard? Our containers for
bulk products
might be for you.

  • 1. Made of transparent plastic without BPA
  • 2. Available in many sizes
  • 3. Equipped with a gasket in the cover
  • The Cristallo storage jar from Rotho is also suitable for storing spices.
  • 5. A practical solution that will help keep the drawer or kitchen countertop organized.

It doesn't matter whether the jars for
spices are made of metal or plastic. Glass jars or original packaging - you need the right system in your kitchen to quickly find the right spice and keep things organized after cooking. There are of course various options:

Spice cabinet or drawer:

If this place is not close to the oven and is well protected from moisture, you have found the perfect solution. Of course, the inside of the spice cabinet should also look tidy. It is best to use uniform cans and label them with a pen or stick appropriate labels so that you can quickly find the right spice while cooking.

Instead of glass
jars and spice containers, you can use a practical fridge organizer or drawer organizer with its numerous
compartments. Thanks to it, you will introduce much greater order in your bags and containers, and you will find your favorite herbs in a matter of seconds. Good organization of the cabinet or drawer makes your kitchen a more comfortable place where you always have everything at hand.

Special shelves on the wall:

Thanks to the special shelf on the wall, you can have a few containers of your favorite herbs within reach. Moreover, this saves you a lot of space on the countertop.

Spice racks:

Do you prefer an open spice rack that stands on the countertop? Then make sure you use spice jars that are not transparent and protect the spices from light. It is especially important to use uniform containers. This way, the rack looks really neat.

Summary

Modern space organization systems will help us organize the interior of our kitchen practically in any way. Bags, containers, and jars - there are really many kitchen storage solutions for products and spices in your home. So choose those that will work best for your kitchen.

pojemniki na mąkę, cukier i produkty sypkie
pojemniki na mąkę, cukier i produkty sypkie

Are you looking for more inspiration and ideas?

Be sure to read our next posts about "How to arrange things in the fridge"
and "How to defrost the fridge".