HOW TO STORE AND ORGANIZE YOUR SPICES

If  you’re like most home cooks, your spices are a bit of a mess. But, if you learn how to store and organize your spices today, you’ll be thanking me every single time you cook!

You most likely have your favorite and most used spices huddled up front, right where you can reach them.  Am I right?  But the next time you need cardamom, will you be able to find it?  Do you know if you even have any in the cupboard?  Will it still be any good when you need it?

To get the most out of your spices and keep track of everything you’ve got, it’s time to tidy up the mess. These tips on how to store and organize your spices for maximum freshness will make a huge different when you cook. 

I’ve even got a fabulous resource that you can use to keep track of your spice inventory!  I have my copy of the Spice Inventory Checklist attached to the inside of my spice cabinet – it’s so convenient!

 And I’ve got an extra-special surprise gift for all my IFAFL Subscribers at the end of this article.  Keep reading to find out what I’ve got up my sleeve!

6 TIPS ON HOW TO STORE SPICES

It’s true, the longer you keep your spices around, the more their potency will diminish.  But here’s 6 tips on how to store them correctly:

1. AIRTIGHT STORAGE IS A MUST – prolonged exposure to air will make your spices lose potency faster. Choose spice storage containers that have a tight-fitting lid.
2. TRY USING LABELED HEAVY-DUTY PLASTIC ZIPLOCS – heavy plastic effectively keeps your spices airtight and allows you to keep them in baskets or containers like file cabinets. Just rifle through them and pluck out the one you need.
3. KEEP YOUR SPICES OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT – better yet, keep them in a dark cabinet or drawer.  But if you do like to have “pretty bottles” on your counter, keep small quantities that can be used up quickly.  The remainder should be kept out of the light as much as possible.
4. DON’T LET YOUR SPICES GET DAMP – moisture is the enemy of ground spices, so storing them near a water source (dishwater/sink) or in the freezer is a big fat no-no.  Also, never pour your spice directly from the jar into a steaming pot, as the steam can leave moisture inside the jar.  Lastly, always make sure your measuring spoons are thoroughly dry before putting them inside a spice jar.
5. AVOID STORING SPICES NEAR A HEAT SOURCE – while it might look nice to have a lovely row of antique spice bottles on your stove, it’ a bad idea.  Unfortunately, the heat produced by your stove, oven and even your dishwasher can quickly degrade your spices. 
6. KEEP AN INVENTORY AND DATE OF PURCHASE CHECKLIST – keeping track of when each of your spices is purchased will make your life so much simpler.  I keep my SPICE INVENTORY CHECKLIST right on the inside of my spice cabinet door.  That makes it easy to makes entries when I get home from the grocery store or run out of an item.  Alternatively, you can write the date of purchase right on the spice bottle.

 

HOW TO KNOW WHEN A SPICE SHOULD GO BYE-BYE

You’ve decided to go through all your spices to purge, organize and replace what’s needed.

 And learning how to store and organize your spices properly can be a huge job. 

But, wait, how do you know if you’re supposed to get rid of or keep your ground cumin?  What about the curry powder you bought when you were a member of that cooking club?  Was that two, no three years ago now?

Here’s some general guidelines to consider when looking at each of your spices as your purge:

• Most ground spices/herbs have about a 6 month shelf-life
• Properly stored whole spices can retain their flavor for up to 3-5 years
• The longer a spice sits around or is improperly stored, the less potent or fragrant it will be
• Check the “sell-by” date on spices to help determine their age (not all spices have these)
• The older the spice is, the less aroma it have

 

NAN’S TIP:  TRY RUBBING THE SPICE BETWEEN YOUR THUMB AND FOREFINGER A FEW TIMES AND THEN TAKING A WHIFF.  DOES IT SMELL LIKE THE SPICE?  IF IT DOESN’T HAVE A CLEAR, TRUE SMELL OF THE SPICE, IT MIGHT BE TIME TO TOSS IT.

WHEN IN DOUBT, TRY THIS TIP – How to Revive Your Almost-Tossable Spices

Got the feeling that one of your spices might not quite be ready to bite the dust?  Try this tip to help revive a spice that’s just about past it’s prime.

• Using a small skillet, place the amount of the spice (cinnamon, cumin and cloves work well) over medium-low heat.  Shaking occasionally, heat the spice up for 2-3 minutes, or until it begins to give off it’s familiar fragrance  
• Watch skillet carefully, as spices can scorch very quickly
• If the spice doesn’t give off any aroma, or very little, then it’s indeed time to throw it away

 

 

SPICE INVENTORY CHECKLIST –  Print out your copy of the Free PDF 

Now it’s time to get started keeping track of exactly what you’ve got stashed away inside that nicely organized spice cabinet!

I’ve designed a SPICE INVENTORY CHECKLIST that will keep you organized once you’ve done all the hard purging and restocking.  You’ll know exactly what you’re missing too, because my list contains all of the spices that most cooks want in their pantry.

I’ve even included a list of essential extracts that I like to have handy for my cooking and baking needs.  

• You’ll just record the date you bought the bottle and then the date that it needs to be tossed.  That way you’ll always know how long a spice has before it needs to be replaced.

 

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT YOUR OWN COPY OF MY SPICE INVENTORY CHECKLIST TODAY!

 

HOW TO STORE AND ORGANIZE YOUR SPICES

One of the best tips on how to store and organize your spices and herbs is to make sure you can see everything in your inventory.  You’ll want to keep the most frequently used items front and center, but everything else needs to be accessible too.

Don’t you just hate bringing home a bottle of marjoram, just to find the half full bottle behind the sesame seeds?  It’s frustrating when you’re not organized! 

Keeping your spice pantry organized will make cooking a little more fabulous, each and every day!  And just think of all the time you’ll save not rooting around for that lost saffron you know you have somewhere!

HOW TO ORGANIZE SPICES 

Let’s explore some different storage methods that are on the market that I’ve gathered to show you today.  This a just a sampling, as the storage options out there are numerous and really fabulous!

 

Lynk Professional Cabinet Storage Systems – 

• EASY SLIDE OUT ACCESS to all your spices and bottles hiding in your upper kitchen cabinets and pantry; no need for special jars, keep your herbs and spices in their original containers
• PROGLIDE INDUSTRIAL-GRADE FULL-EXTENSION STEEL BALL BEARING GLIDE ensures smooth sliding even under the heaviest loads; PROGLIDE’s unique design adjusts to accommodate the various depths of your upper kitchen cabinets and pantry shelves
• COMMERCIAL QUALITY STEEL AND CHROME CONSTRUCTION gives you unparalleled strength and durability for a lifetime of trouble-free use
• DURABLE POLYMER TRAY protects your cabinets from spills while keeping even the smallest items stable; tray is removable and washable
• PROPRIETARY EASY MOUNT DESIGN requires no measuring and installs in minutes – Just two screws (included)

 

Baron Upper Cabinet Spice Rack – Large Pull-Out Drawer by Dotted Line

Perfect for keeping your most-used spices easily organized, this rack features a pull out drawer that allows it to extend past your cabinet.

• crafted in the USA from wood with metal extension glides
• features adjustable dividers, so you can easily tailor its storage to your needs
• measures 4.5” H x 14.5” W x 10.5” D and can be easily fitted to most cabinets

 

Cabinet Door Mounted Organizer

This is a really simple storage solution that keeps your spices out of the light, but right where you need them. 

I was really impressed with how much style this little rack has, and it’s a shame it’s hidden away inside a cabinet!

• durable, heavy-weight chrome-plated rack
• screw-mounts easily to inside of most cabinet doors
• 18.125” H x 11” W x 3” D

 

Four Row Chicken Wire Spice Rack by Rebrilliant

Crafted of antiqued finish “chicken coop” metal wire with a sturdy frame and vintage look, this rack will add tons of “farmhouse” appeal to your kitchen counter.  Remember, this type of storage should only be used for small quantities of your most-used spices!

• perfect for wall mounting, cabinet, or pantry storage
• suitable for all your small organizing needs in the kitchen
• 20” H x 17” W x 2.3” D
• space between shelves: 5.25″ – Holds up to 36 jars

 

Slim Rolling Can and Spice Rack

Check out this convenient way to get some extra storage into your kitchen.

I’ve seen a number of these types of storage systems, ranging from inexpensive to top-of-the-line pricing, so shop accordingly. 

There are a few bargains out there, but you’ll need to do some hunting to find the perfect price and product.

• just 3-1/2″ wide, it fits between cabinets, appliances and in other narrow spaces
• sit on wheels for easy sliding in and out
• open shelves can hold containers as large as soda or soup cans
• comes in white, black brown wood finishes
• 3-1/2″W x 25-1/4″D x 34-1/4″H

 

 

SO MANY CHOICES TO CHOOSE FROM – Find the perfect “fit” for your kitchen and cooking style!

As you can see from the selection of spice storage items I had room to include today, I’ve barely touched the surface!

There are so many creative and attractive kitchen storage systems out there, that you’re sure to find one that works perfectly for your needs.

If you didn’t see a spice storage solution that will work for you today, don’t worry, there are plenty more where they came from!

I’d love to hear from you and find out how you solved your spice storage and organization problems in your kitchen.

Why not tell us all about it in the comment section below this post or over at The Fab Life!  That’s our Facebook Group where we show off our triumphs and share our pursuit of “the good life” with each other all week long.  

WHEW, THAT WAS A BIG JOB – AND HERE’S A REWARD FOR MY IFAFL SUBSCRIBERS!

I’m so proud that you want to get your melange of spices under control! 

Learning how to store and organize your spices is no small feat.  Earlier I shared my SPICE INVENTORY CHECKLIST tool PDF with everyone.  It’ll help you keep your spices under control once you’ve purged, organized and replaced your spice collection. 

Now I want to give my loyal Ingredients For A Fabulous Life subscribers a little extra love for making this cumbersome task a priority.

I’m sharing a foursome of my favorite spice blend recipes on customized recipe cards that I created especially for this article.   

Here’s the recipe’s I’ve shared with specialty recipe card printables:

• Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
• Tico-Taco Seasoning Mix
• Poultry Seasoning
• Garam Masala Seasoning

 

They’ll help give your recipe box a fun “spicy” vibe when printed on white card stock!

Just download and print the FREE PDFs, and you’re in business. 

Want your own Spice Seasoning Blend Recipe Cards, but you’re not on our list yet?  Why not join in on the fun!

Fill out the form below and I’ll give you exclusive access to our printables as a thank you for joining the IFAFL Email Subscriber List.

As a Ingredients For A Fabulous Life Subscriber, you’ll also get instant access to the IFAFL Resource Library and receive our twice-weekly emails.  What are you waiting for?  You don’t want to miss out on anything fabulous, do you? 

There’s always something fabulous happening here at Ingredients For A Fabulous Life, don’t you want to stay in the loop?  

And while you’re at it, come join the gang in our Facebook group and get in on the gabfest at, The Fab Life!  That’s where we show off our triumphs and share our pursuit of “the good life” with each other all week long.  

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