It’s Time to Check Your Spice Rack
Air Date: 1/9/2009

Nothing lasts forever...even those half-filled bottles of herbs and spices on our spice rack! They may not be empty, but they could be lacking their flavorful punch if we keep them past their peak of freshness - and now's the perfect time of year to take stock of them.

You see, our bottled dry spices should really be replaced at least every 2 years because, over time, as air gets to them from being opened, they lose their full taste benefits. Here are some tips:

If you're transferring them into decorative spice bottles that may have come with your spice rack, attach a label with the date of purchase to the bottom of the jar, so you know how old it is.

Another freshness indicator is that most spices have a bright, rich color and a strong aroma when we open the bottle. If either seems weak, it's time to replace 'em.

Keeping spices on top of or near the stove seems convenient, but it's actually one of the worst places, because the heat will spoil them. Keeping them in a cabinet, away from heat and light, can also add to their life.

There's no need to go out and buy a whole load of spices at one time - a good habit to get into is to pick up a new one each time we go to the market - always in a small container. That way, we can replace them more often.

Now, to spice things up at the table in the new year, get some new spices for a more flavorful