Here’s how long it actually takes for spices to go bad

I was pretty stunned to learn that makeup can go bad—and my favorite foundation was well past its expiration date.

The horrors continue; Spice maker McCormick says: No, that bottle of pepper that was on your shelf before lockdown is probably still no good.

To be fair, they explain that spices don’t actually “go bad” since they don’t rot or ferment.

Instead, they go “not good,” the company says, meaning they lose all of their flavor.

Only two “spices” are essentially immortal if stored properly, McCormick shared.

These are vanilla extract and salt.

Otherwise it is different.

Here’s how long each type of spice lasts:

• Whole spices (such as peppercorns, whole allspice and whole nutmeg): 3-4 years.
• Ground spices (such as cumin, ginger, paprika and chili powder): 2-4 years.
• Ground and whole leafy herbs (such as basil, oregano and rosemary): 1-3 years.

The food magazine Bon Appetit goes even further – it recommends throwing away ground spices just three months after opening and keeping whole spices for no longer than ten months (yes).

Although no one argues that spices that are “spoiled” are actually as harmful as expired milk or meat, they posit that the tastelessness of old spices essentially makes them unnecessary.

I guess at least two of my favorite spices are considered “old” (I’ve had a giant can of cinnamon for about four years now), but I’ll be honest: I don’t plan on throwing them all away.

Luckily, McCormick says I might not have to do that.

Roasting older spices can help revive some of their nearly lost flavors, the spice company says.

And if you think your beloved bottles have been used up for too long, consider adding them to a potpourri for scent-related reuse.

Bon Appetit, on the other hand, recommends purchasing whole spices and grinding them through a spice grinder at home for the most delicious results.

I promise I’ll start as soon as the giant Cinnamonatron is finished…