Get Ready For Fall: Restock Your Spices

Emily Han
Emily Han
Emily Han is a Los Angeles-based recipe developer, educator, herbalist, and author of Wild Drinks & Cocktails and co-author of Wild Remedies. For recipes and classes, check out her personal site.
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updated May 12, 2022
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What are you most looking forward to cooking this autumn? Whether it’s a hearty stew, a batch of fall cookies, or a pumpkin pie, chances are you will be reaching into your spice collection for a pinch of this or that. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, juniper berries … we can just imagine all the warm kitchen smells to come! As we transition to fall, now is the perfect time to take stock of your spice collection.

Toss what’s stale, note what you use often and need more of, and replenish in preparation for cooking rich savory dishes, baked goods, and holiday meals (they will be here before we know it!).

Although spices don’t spoil, most should be used within 6 to 12 months for maximum freshness. Check dates if you have them, and give spices the smell test — if they have lost their fragrance, it’s time to restock.

This is also a good opportunity to make sure your spices are properly stored. Check out these posts for tips:

(Images: Svetlana Lukienko/Shutterstock)

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