Should spice jars be labelled with purchase or expiry date?

Question

Labeling spice jars: purchase date or expiry date? Find out which date is more useful for tracking the freshness and potency of your spices.

Answer 1

Spice jars should be labeled with the purchase date to help you track freshness and usage, as spices generally lose potency over time, even before any official expiry date.

Detailed Explanation:

While many spices don't have a hard expiry date in the sense of becoming unsafe to eat, they do lose their flavor and aroma over time. Labeling with the purchase date allows you to easily identify older spices that might need replacing. Here's a breakdown:

1. Purchase Date: This is the most useful date to track. It tells you when you opened the spice and started using it.
2. Expiry Date (if present): Some spices may have a 'best by' or expiry date printed on the packaging. While not a strict indicator of spoilage, it's a guideline for peak flavor.
3. Tracking Usage: By knowing the purchase date, you can monitor how quickly you use certain spices. This helps you avoid buying too much of a spice that you rarely use, preventing it from going stale.
4. Flavor Degradation: Over time, spices lose their volatile oils, which are responsible for their flavor and aroma. Ground spices typically lose their potency faster than whole spices.
5. Visual Inspection: Regularly check your spices for changes in color, aroma, or texture. If a spice looks faded or smells weak, it's likely past its prime.

Pro Tip:

Store your spices in a cool, dark, and dry place to prolong their shelf life. Avoid storing them near the stove, as heat and humidity can accelerate flavor loss.