SEASONINGS, SPICES, & DRY HERBS || STORAGE & USE

Shelf Life:

Storage:

  • Keep spices stored in airtight containers.

  • Store spices in a cool dry place away from light. This will help preserve the color of any spices that may become dull when exposed to light. The best place is in a cabinet in the kitchen.

  • Use dry spoons to remove herbs and spices from containers.

  • Avoid getting steam on the cap of your spice shakers when cooking. These tips will help prevent caking and flavor contamination.

Toasting:

  • Toasting heats up the essential oils in your spices which brings out the flavor.

  • Toast by placing desired spices in a dry pan over medium heat. Just when you start to smell the spice aroma the toasting is done.

  • Be careful not to burn or scorch them.

  • After toasting, the spices can be ground or used whole.

Grinding:

  • For grinding I use a black stone mortar and pestle. Check out my Favorite Tools blog on for more helpful tools.

  • You can also use a clean coffee grinder to grind your spices.

  • But what if you don’t have either?

  1. Place spices in a large zip top bag and seal.

  2. Use a heavy pot, pan, mallet, hammer, or rolling pin to bang on the spices to crush them. Or using your weight, rock a pan or pot back and forth to crush the spices.

    • Be sure to place a dish towel under your bag of spices before crushing so you don’t mess up your counter tops.

    Or you can just purchase your spices already ground - Taste Tutor Brand Seasonings & Blends

Bouquet Garni
A bouquet garni is used to flavor stocks, soups, and sauces. Once the herbs and spices are wrapped in cheese cloth or tied with butcher’s twine, it’s kind of like an herb/spice tea bag for your dish. It’s classically filled with ingredients such as bay leaf, thyme, parsley, and peppercorn but it can be filled with whatever you want for real for real.

Happy flavoring folks!

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Taste Tutor