SC - In need of a documented Rant on "highly spided spoiled food "

[Chris Stanifer]

- --- LrdRas at aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 4/27/01 1:15:38 PM Eastern
> Daylight Time, 
> skud at infotrope.net writes:
> 
> << Given a shelf life of 3-6 months  >>
> 
> Shelf life would be more like 3-6 years. :-) Most
> spices last at least a 
> couple of years if prop[wely stored and some last
> indefinitely.
> 
> Ras

I have to agree with this, with the caveat that most
dried herbs and nearly all spices be kept nearly
air-tight during this extended storage time.  The
volatile oils, which usually are the essence of the
herb or spice, disintegrate upon contact with air, and
if kept for that length of time, unless, as Ras has
said, properly stored, they will lose their fragrance
and flavoring properties.  Some of the harder spices,
such as the various peppers,nutmegs and cloves, when
left whole, can survive a good long time on the
average pantry shelf.  Seeds and pods, also, can
maintain a degree of volatility when stored
haphazardly.  However, it is always best to keep them
as far removed from air, heat and sunlight as
possible.

Or I'm wrong... discuss.

Balthazar of Blackmoor
(who has often been asked 'Is this still good', and
then offered a jar of some spice or other...to which I
usually answer 'Yes...if dirt tastes good to you.')

=====
"The half full glass and the half empty glass both contain the same amount of liquid...the half empty glass, however, has a fly in it."

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