What's in your spice cabinet?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (40230)
February 3, 2025 5:43pm CST
When all the kids were still at home, my life was so wildly busy, I never really gave a thought to my spice cabinet, except to note when a spice was getting low, and I would need a replacement soon. Then, I had a big move 11 years ago, and I took the time to check my spices, how old were they, etc.
If you know me from my posts, you know that I really enjoy cooking. I don't bake as much as I used to, but I do still bake--just in smaller amounts.
Some spices/cooking aid/staple ingredients seem to go faster than others. Salt and pepper, of course, and then your spices branch out to whatever your preferred flavors are. When I moved, I checked every spice in the cabinet, and discovered some of them were not nearly as fresh and tasty as I thought they were. Granted, it takes a long time for most of them to lose all of their flavor, but if you've ever opened a new pepper or cinnamon or nutmeg or somesuch, and given it an appreciative sniff, you can really tell the difference!
I now date my spices as to the date I opened them. I periodically check to make sure none of them are years and years old...some of course do not get used as often as others. Those, I try to buy in the smallest container, so they will stay fresh longer and I use them up when they are in their best flavor. I do love Penzey's, often my daughter and I get them together so we can split them. At any rate, I can't cook without spices!
Do you have a cabinet full of old spices?
Picture from Pixabay
27 people like this
22 responses
@sallypup (62556)
• Centralia, Washington
4 Feb
@MarieCoyle Spices cost so much! I stick to the basics. For some reason I have three jars of cinnamon right now.
5 people like this
@rakski (130586)
• Philippines
4 Feb
@MarieCoyle True, it can past way before you know it and those spices will be no good. That is why I checked my pantry from time to time
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40230)
•
4 Feb
@sallypup
Yes, they do, none are cheap. I know when I did that big purge, I had to stagger it out, I did not feel I could replace all that need to be, all at one time.
4 people like this
@id_peace (14469)
• Singapore
22h
@MarieCoyle Indeed it is. I stored a few bottle of sauces in my fridge and a few bottle of spices. I will build up more along the way if I have more time to cook.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40230)
•
4 Feb
Spices enhance foods and can turn a rather plain and ordinary dish into a delicious one. I love spices.
4 people like this
@snowy22315 (184508)
• United States
4 Feb
Yep, I am sure at least half of mine are no good.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40230)
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4 Feb
It's sad to purge them, but if the flavor has diminished, it's time. I couldn't believe the difference it made in some of the spices to get new ones.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40230)
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4 Feb
I’ve been dating mine when I buy them, and it helps somewhat. Plus, I try to buy small amounts, we have a store that has wonderfully fresh spices and you can buy small amounts.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40230)
•
4 Feb
I have what I need and use, but then again, when daughter tries a new Penzey's item, I usually get to try that, too. So good.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40230)
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4 Feb
When I did the big purge of my spices, I was surprised how old mine really were.
4 people like this
@kareng (65890)
• United States
4 Feb
@MarieCoyle I second that! And I like to pick up spares whenever it is getting low so I have it when I need it!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40230)
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4 Feb
@kareng
It has always worked better for me to think ahead. Now it’s rather a hangover thought from the days of a houseful of kids, so I’ve geared it down some. But it just works better for me that way.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40230)
•
4 Feb
I am one of those people who wants the basics in the house when I cook, so I do try hard to keep up on ingredients and I keep a list of things we are running low on. Otherwise, my overworked brain can’t always remember what we need, when we need it!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40230)
•
12h
I guess I have a lot more spices than some people, but I do use what I have. I grow and dehydrate my own parsley, oregano, basil, sage, cilantro....my son in law grows herbs as well as vegetables, so a lot of mine aren't store bought, that's why we dehydrate them.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (170665)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Feb
I love adding herbs and spices to my cooki n g. I don't cook anymore but my daughter does and she doesn't add many unless I remind her. When I was married I had a lovely herb garden just outvthe back door just off the kitchen. I dried some and even made wreaths out of them. I also date the spices we use in Beans, roast, potato soup and other dishes. I also use some in my aromatherapy. Have to have rosemary on hand for help with inflammation. I keep them in dark containers so they last longer. Gotta love the herbs and spices.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (170665)
• Boise, Idaho
11h
@MarieCoyle ......Yes, indeed. One of Mother Nature's gifts.
@MarieCoyle (40230)
•
12h
The right spices can really perk up a blah dish and make it delicious. I love growing herbs, so easy and yet so good.
1 person likes this
@much2say (56941)
• Los Angeles, California
4 Feb
This reminds me of an elderly friend I had in the early 2000s. He was widowed from a long time ago - he was quite independent and proud that he could still cook for himself. He told me he didn't have to buy any spices - he still had many little jars from the 70s 
.
I actually cleared out the old spices during the pandemic 
! We have all kinds and pretty much use all of them. I am better organized period because of the time that we had, so at least I know we don't have super old "vintage" spices 
.
.
I actually cleared out the old spices during the pandemic ! We have all kinds and pretty much use all of them. I am better organized period because of the time that we had, so at least I know we don't have super old "vintage" spices .3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40230)
•
4 Feb
Oh my, 30 some-year-old spices!! I don’t imagine that they had much flavor left in them!
Yes, during the pandemic I think I cleaned out every drawer and closet and cabinet. I need to do that again. I am hoping to get some deep cleaning done next week as it’s supposed to get colder again, possible snow/ice, etc. on cold days, that’s a perfect time for me to get some extra tasks done.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (139883)
• India
4 Feb
I get small quantities of spices and that explains why they could be useable
3 people like this
@FourWalls (70875)
• United States
4 Feb
The only spices I have are Morton’s Nature’s Seasons for food, and cinnamon for the applesauce. I’m pretty boring, aren’t I?
2 people like this
Thanks, but you obviously didn’t read what I did today. @MarieCoyle (40230)
•
4 Feb
@FourWalls
I am just now catching up here, I will have to see what devilment you were up to! 
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40230)
•
4 Feb
Well, you don't normally cook nearly as much as I do, I'm sure...plus, you only have to please yourself. I have to feed my son, and then there are the other kids that come and go as well. And you know I love to cook.
For the record, you are anything but boring!!
2 people like this
@andriaperry (117982)
• Anniston, Alabama
4 Feb
Not to old, I use a lot of spices.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40230)
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12h
Since I started dating all of mine maybe 10 years ago, I do a lot better keeping the spices fresh.
@NJChicaa (121090)
• United States
4 Feb
@MarieCoyle Penzey's has been doing a lot of promotions over the past several years to speak out against Trump's crap. They've been pretty generous and I have purchased most of them. Luckily they've slowed down recently so I don't have even more stuff in my cabinet.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40230)
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4 Feb
@NJChicaa
Their spices can truly perk some things up and make them go from ''good'' to ''WOW!''
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (40230)
•
4 Feb
I probably have too many, but I do use the ones I have.
Cooking is sort of a therapy thing. It gives me time to think and a chance to be a bit creative.
2 people like this
@marguicha (224711)
• Chile
16h
I wish my spice cabinet was so much in order. Many times I spend time looking for the right spice. Now I buy spices is small amounts as I live alone. And I don´t spend in elegant containers.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40230)
•
12h
The spices that we grow and dehydrate, go in spice jars that are washed in between uses and used over and over. No elegant containers here, either.
@porwest (95428)
• United States
19h
I use all sorts of spices and my pantry is chock full of them. I always use them all up. I just can't waste. But the ones I go through the most of around here are probably garlic powder and onion powder, oregano, Italian seasoning, paprika, cumin and curry powder. We use salt and pepper of course as well. But I also have a lot of spice combos as well as make some of my own. Can you ever have too many? lol
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40230)
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12h
I know we all have our favorites. I like onion powder in a lot of different dishes.
@MarieCoyle (40230)
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12h
As stated, this picture is from Pixabay. I have mine in a cabinet in my kitchen. But mine isn't ever empty!
@MarieCoyle (40230)
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12h
Here in the US, most of us have a cabinet under the sink, for the most part that is where we all keep our dish soaps, cleaning supplies, etc. But hey, everyone has different places to store things.
@LooeyVille (54)
• United States
15h
No I do not. Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder and Sage. That's it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40230)
•
12h
Well, you eat out every day, and I cook, so of course I would have more, for sure. I love to cook.
