It’s a new year! Which means that people are making goals and getting organized around the house. Old Town Spice Shop, your Fort Collins local spice store, has some tips and tricks for you to simplify your spice cabinet this year. One of our favorite things to do is go through our spice cabinet, throw out old spices, and reorganize. Here’s some of our favorite ways to simplify your spice cabinet:
Check If Your Spices Have Gone Bad
Dried spices are one of those things that are easy to forget about, because it seems like they never go bad. But they do! Old spices lose their flavor and aroma, which doesn’t make for a good addition to any dish. The whole point of fresh spices is to make delicious food filled with the best flavors. When you first buy spices, write the date on them so you can keep track of how long you’ve had them and can throw out old ones. There are a few other ways that you can tell if your spices have gone bad. See if they look faded or not quite the right color, if they smell a little off or not at all, or if they still taste like they should. If they’ve lost their flavor and smell, it’s time to toss them!
Restock Basic Spices from Your Fort Collins Local Spice Store
Keeping your spice cabinet stocked with the essentials is a great way to ensure that you always have what you need for any recipe. We like to use the New Year as a way to refresh our cabinets with the basics. Here are a few spices we always keep on hand:
- Kosher Flake Salt: The unique crystal structure makes this salt ideal for cooking and seasoning. Kosher Flake Salt can also be used to accent refreshments that call for salt-rimmed glasses.
- Black Peppercorn: Black peppercorns are fermented, dried green peppercorns. They have a crisp and aromatic flavor. Black peppercorns have the most robust flavor of all peppercorns. They are versatile and easy to use. Add them whole, crushed, or ground for an extra snap in sauces, marinades, vinaigrettes, and creamy salad dressings. We like to keep the whole peppercorn on hand to freshly grind them while cooking.
- Cumin: Cumin is the second-most popular spice in the world after black pepper. It has a warm, earthy aroma and a peppery flavor with citrus notes. Cumin is popular in Indian, Pakistani, North African, Middle Eastern, Sri Lankan, and Cuban cuisines.
- Crushed Red Pepper: Sprinkle over potatoes, scrambled eggs, garlic bread, pizza, pasta, and vegetable dishes. Crushed red pepper is also used to make flavored cooking oils.
- Paprika: Add a splash of color to a creamy sauce or kick up the heat in a robust meat rub. Ground for the dried fruits of select chili plants, this is an essential spice for anyone who loves Hungarian, Morrocan, or Spanish cuisines.
- Garlic Granules: This versatile spice is prominent in essentially every type of cuisine. Great in butter, olive oil, curries, and barbecues, and with vegetables, meats, and breads. You can never have too much garlic.
- Saigon Cinnamon: Saigon cinnamon is used primarily for its aromatic bark, which is quite similar to that of Cassia cinnamon but with a more pronounced, complex aroma. It’s used in many baked goods and is a staple for spice cabinets.
Reorganize Your Spice Cabinet
This is the fun part! If your cabinet is a bit of a mess, there are a few ways you can make it easier to use. First of all, you should always store your spices in an airtight container in a cool, dry cupboard or drawer. This will help them keep their freshness longer. Here are a few ideas to get organized:
- This is a great DIY drawer organizer for your spices that is simple to put together! It is easy to use, and you can see all of your spices in one place.
- If you buy our spice bags instead of the jars, you can organize and store them in baskets or boxes in your pantry. This way there aren’t loose spice bags in random places in your cabinet or pantry.
