Spices Every Kitchen Should Have and How to Store Them

Herbs & spices are the foundation of many cuisines around the world, and adding them to your kitchen makes things taste better and more flavorful. That’s why they’re a vital component in almost any meal, from salads and side dishes to main courses and desserts. But how do you store them? Is there a right way to store them? And what are the essentials every kitchen should have in storage?

What are the spices that my kitchen should have?

Have you ever wondered which are the most important spices in every kitchen? If you haven’t, then you’re missing out on a great experience of cooking. Edible spices are pure magic! They are not only used to season foods but also for health benefits, giving you a wonderful flavor and boosting your energy levels.

Here are the following spices to make your home cooking more exciting:

• Garlic powder is more convenient to use and can be easily added to a recipe or sprinkled on food without any preparation, and it can be kept in a jar for years without going bad.
• Black pepper provides a very intense flavor and is often used in ethnic cuisines, especially in Indian and Chinese dishes. It is widely used in curries, stews, stir-fries, and seafood dishes because of its ability to enhance the flavors of these dishes.
• If combined with other spicy ingredients, paprika’s savory and sweet notes help food taste better and offer bolder flavor, helping you create tasty, unique dishes.
• Nutmeg is a unique spice that is used in a variety of ways. The taste of nutmeg has been compared to the taste of freshly ground black pepper, and you can use it in the same way. It has a warm, slightly bitter taste, with a hint of woody and lemon-like tones. It can be used in baking, roasting, broiling, and cooking. It is a great ingredient to add to any recipe.
• Cumin is used in cooking, medicine, and religious ceremonies. It adds both taste and texture to recipes, as well as giving foods added nutrition. Its weighty and warm aroma makes it a major player in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. Still, it can also be found in traditional South American cooking, as well as African and Asian dishes.
• Ginger (ground) is a very versatile spice that can be used in so many different ways. It’s one of the best substitutes for ground pepper and can replace most of the salt used in cooking. Ground ginger is also one of the few spices that can be used raw and it’s great to use in marinades and curries. It is also used for curries, pickles, soups, and more.
• Cayenne pepper has been used for centuries as a pungent spice in many different dishes. You can add it to everything from bread to meat and soup. It also can be used as a spice rub for beef or chicken or pork or fish or vegetables.
• Allspice – this spice is usually available in two varieties: black and white. Black allspice is actually a variety of black pepper and is used more often than white. The black allspice is a fragrant and slightly bitter spice that is used for flavoring meats, stews, and thick sauces. The white allspice is a more popular spice in many countries, especially those in the Caribbean. It is usually used in Caribbean and southern dishes, as well as some of the U.S. Mainland, and is used to flavor rum.
• Red Pepper Flakes – In addition to making dishes spicier, red flakes also bring out the flavor of the foods that they are used in.
• Cinnamon is a hardy spice that is rich in flavor and aroma and can be used for a variety of culinary purposes. It can be used for sweet and savory baking, cooking meat, and even making drinks.

How should I store my spices?

The spices you have in your pantry can greatly affect the flavors in your meals, so it’s crucial to keep a good assortment of your favorite spices in the right container. The best of course are traditional glass bottles with firmly sealed lids (that preferably have different shaking settings). A spice rack can be a beautiful and useful addition to any kitchen and are built specifically for spice bottles.

But why bottles? The reason for this is quite simple. First, it helps to preserve the moisture content and the freshness of the spice. This helps it last longer. Secondly, it prevents pests from getting in. That’s right, even bugs and beetles like some spices, especially herbs and pepper-based spices. You can find more info about the different kinds of pests that can infest your pantry here: https://www.pestcontrolexperts.com/local/massachusetts/

Spices are often sold in resealable packets. These can be useful if there’s no room in your spice jars. But be aware that any gaps will let moisture or crawlies inside the packet. For extra protection, store your extra packets in a sealed tupperware container and check on them every now and again.

So there you have it, the lowdown on spice and spice storage. Until next time!