Organize your spices

Just do one thing today:

Organize your spices

1. Go through your spices every year to see what needs to be thrown out or replenished.  Sniff any suspect spices, or rub a little between your fingers.  The aroma should be rich and immediate; if it's musty or dull like straw, toss it.

2. Buy only what you'll use within a year.  Why?  That's when the potency of most spices expires; write the purchase date on containers so you'll know when to replace.

3. Store properly, according to what's best for you.  For some that will mean you store them alphabetically in a spice drawer or shelf.  For others, you'll group spices by frequency of use or type of cuisine.

Keep your spices in a dark cabinet or drawer, not near the stove.

Have fun!