How to Breathe New Life Into Old Spices in Your Pantry

Most people agree that herbs and spices are essential to creating a delicious and flavorful meal. However, old spices can lose their “flare” over time, becoming bland and adding very little to the dish. Luckily, there are a few simple methods for reviving or repurposing them.

Old Spices Lose Their potency

Most people have several old spices in their pantries or kitchens. Whether they’re needed only a few times, or you go to the store and buy another container forgetting that you already have them, they seem to accumulate. Although spices have a long shelf-life, they lose their flavor and fragrance over time. One method for reviving old spices comes from parts of South Asia, such as India.

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Reviving Old Spices

The technique has several names but is commonly known as blooming or toasting spices. It’s an easy method that saves time and money.

What to do:

• First, heat a pan with 2 Tbsp of your favorite cooking oil, or ghee.
• Next, add some water to old spices and mix to create a paste.
• Then, put the paste in with the oil until the water dissipates, leaving behind a fragrant, oily paste.
• Last, set the paste aside or store it in a small mason jar to help keep it fresher for longer.

How it Works

This method works so well to revive old spices because “the flavor compounds found in spices are fat-soluble and because fat coats the tongue, bringing those aromatic compounds into contact with your taste buds for a longer period,” according to Bon appetit. This method works for any dried spices and herbs, bringing new life and a lot of flavor back to your kitchen.

Another Benefit of Blooming Old Spices

Blooming old spices doesn’t only give them more flavor. It also leaves behind a deliciously infused oil that you can use for just about anything, from roasting vegetables to adding it to yogurt for a savory or spicy dip to making a vinaigrette for salads. The possibilities are endless!

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Repurpose Them Instead

If you notice your pantry or kitchen is becoming cluttered with old spices, you may prefer to get rid of them. Instead of reviving them, you can repurpose them and create space in your cabinets and shelves. Old spices can be added to compost, and many offer significant benefits. For example, using a variety of herbs and spices can help balance compost and make it dense in nutrients. Meanwhile, things like cinnamon and ginger have anti-fungal properties. However, salt or sugar shouldn’t be added to the compost pile as they can slow the process or attract wildlife.

Take a Bath

Many natural soaps and lotions are made with essential oils, or dried herbs and spices. For example, popular scents are mint, cinnamon, chai, and rosemary. Adding a few teaspoons to a cup of Epsom salt will repurpose them and give you a luxurious and affordable alternative to store bought bath soaks. However, diluting them is essential because they can cause allergic reactions in larger quantities. “Before taking spices outside the kitchen, make a point of familiarizing yourself with potential allergies.” Explains Popular Science. “We generally consume very small amounts of the compounds contained in herbs and spices, and as we up the dosage, the risk of allergic reactions rises as well.” 

Make Air Freshener

They help make the air fresher in a pinch. For example, boiling them in water after cooking will help push out any unpleasant kitchen odors. Meanwhile, you can make satchels using certain herbs and spices to put around the house, or in your closet and car. Interestingly, it’s recommended to use “cooling” options like mint and coriander in the Summer. Conversely, warm options like clove and cinnamon are recommended for Winter. These satchels can also be placed in the bottom of laundry hampers or in shoes but be sure to keep them away from pets to ensure there’s no safety risk.

Get Crafty

Lastly, old spices are a great way to enhance your arts and crafts. You can add a few teaspoons to wax for homemade candles, or use things like turmeric and driedbeet root to make dyes. Additionally, you can layer them with dry rice, coffee, or flowers in a decorative glass dish and place a tea light in the middle. This simple decor technique will only add to the cozy ambiance of your home.

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