Understanding Spices

Want to learn how to use dried herbs and spices in your cooking? Not sure how they all go together? Want to expand your taste horizons? We’ve got answers for you here!

jars of spices

In this week’s Ask Joshna segment, I got a question about how to use spices, what goes together, and how much to use. I’ve found these three infographics that I love, and I think they’ll be really helpful in making friends with your spice cupboard. 

Buy spices in small quantities, and store them in an airtight container, out of direct sunlight. This will keep your spices fresh and potent for a while. Generally speaking, the lifespan of a jar of spices is about 6 months. After this time, they start to lose their flavour and magic. They’re still usable, you just might need to use more to get the desired flavour. Have fun and experiment! You might even find a little combination that you love a lot!

Joshna is a chef, author & activist who cares a lot about people's relationship with food. She works to rebuild food systems in public institutions putting hospitality and sustainability as a top priority.