Spice isn’t the last name of this blog without good reason. 
Some people salt their food, I spice mine. In fact, I have an entire cabinet reserved for spices. Up until recently I thought everybody had a spice cupboard, but apparently some people do not.
Last week I refreshed my spice cabinet with a new set of spices. It’s amazing how easy it is to enhance the flavor of a dish with just a few healthy shakes of fresh herbs and seasonings.
If you’re still using old spices, or Old Spice cologne for that matter, you might consider updating both.
My friend, Suzanne, takes a Sharpie and writes the day she purchased her spices right on the jar so she knows how long a spice has been sitting on her shelf. Isn’t she smart?
I recently connected with a company called Fitness & Spices, Inc. Actually, the name of the business is Spices, Inc. but Fitness & Spices, Inc. has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Anyway, they actually wrote the date of sale right on my labels so I know the spices they sent me to try are good and fresh! I also know they are quality spices because I’ve enjoyed each and every one of the spices pictured here.
Want to win a spice set from Spices, Inc.? Then tell us what old spice in your cupboard really needs to be replaced. Enter the drawing by Wednesday, January 27th at 11:59 EST and the winner will be announced on Thursday.
Now I really must go spice up my workout and then whip up some herbs and whey!
Lisa Feeley says:
January 26th 2010I guess the oldest spice I have in my cupboard would be dried mustard-don’t use it in enough recipes. My problem isn’t so much spices that are in my cupboard for too long-it’s that I run out and forget to replace them!
MrsFatass says:
January 26th 2010OH MAN, I have some spices my mom brought back from her trip to Provence – 6 YEARS AGO – and I know better. I have a spice CLOSET.
Marisa (Loser For Life) says:
January 26th 2010That is a brilliant idea, Suzanne had! I am going to do that from now on!
The oldest spice I have that needs to be replaced is paprika. I bought a huge jar of it (who knows when!) and I only use it every so often. Probably should have bought the teeny jar ;)
Jessica@HowSweet says:
January 26th 2010I need more cinnamon and smoked paprika! I am almost out of both.
Elaine Skalozub says:
January 26th 2010Oh my, I am in desperate need of spices. I have two bags of dried out oregeno and garlic powder and I have not used them, I am afraid to even touch them. I do use my cinnamon everyday though, it is my favorite! I would love to win anything, so I can actually say, “I have spices!”
Lily @ Lily's Health Pad says:
January 26th 2010My cinnamon is probably 5 years old! Likely not within date at this point…
Trish @IamSucceeding says:
January 26th 2010I use spice regularly and only buy what I need so probably only my poultry seasoning because I buy it and then change my mind…no clue why!! LOL
Sarah says:
January 26th 2010I don’t have any old spices in my spice cabinet. I use them all the time. I have basil, oregano, and a bunch of other wonderful spices that I use on a regular basis. Although I think I do have a very old ginger spice that I purchased about 10 years ago that could probably stand to be throw away.
Katy says:
January 26th 2010I love the tip about writing the dates on the bottles — brilliant!
I found a spice rub mix that was so old, it came from a grocery store that only exists in the Northeast, and I moved away 6 years ago! It was all clumpy and gross. I NEED to win! :)
amanda says:
January 26th 2010I need cinnamon!! I use this stuff on everything and running low. Also garlic salt because it is my hubby’s favorite
Diane says:
January 26th 2010I need cumin. I have a zillion recipes that use cumin, and I’m always running low. And it’s not that cheap. But I am.
Jody - Fit at 52 says:
January 26th 2010Love this!!! I am soooooooooooooooo a spice person! Why do salt when there are spices! I am pretty basic but would love to try more! I am running out of my chicken spice from TJ’s & also my pumpkin pie spice. but I need more variety! What a great giveaway!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says:
January 26th 2010lol– my “cream of tartar” probably hasn’t been touched in ten years. I would LOVE a spice set– I’m a big “spice girl” (haha) myself!
Andrea@WellnessNotes says:
January 26th 2010I love spices! I think the oldest spice in my cupboard is some cumin; I don’t remember when I bought it… I should really start labeling my spices with purchase dates…
The Candid RD says:
January 26th 2010Ohh Joanna, you have hit a happy spot in my heart! I LOVE spices, and boy do I need a spice cabinet makeover! I think most of my spices are pretty fresh, but I have some random ones in the back that need replacing (most of my “combination flavor” spices). I go through spices so fast, it’s crazy. My favorites are garlic and curry, but I also LOVE cumin and dried basil!
April says:
January 26th 2010Fennel seeds. I seriously think they have been up there for 10 years!
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman says:
January 26th 2010I never was big into spices until I got the most wonderful spice set for my wedding. It was a three-tiered shelf of spices from Pensky’s Spices. Now I use them all the time!
Heather (Wheres the Beach) says:
January 26th 2010It’d have to be the rosemary that’s a sad shade of brown. It doesn’t even smell like rosemary anymore, yet, it still sits there next to the oft used spices like cumin, red pepper, oregano.
Rachel says:
January 26th 2010I would love to get this spice set. Even though my husband and I have well over 30 spices, I’m pretty sure most of them are 2+ years old. Eek! I’m not even sure how long spices are supposed to stay “good” or whatever.
I’m pretty sure our oldest spice is a huge container of peppercorns that my husband got when he was in culinary school. At least 5 years ago!!
Jules Lives Outlod says:
January 26th 2010I crave flavor. That being said, I too need to purge my spice cabinet. The oldest spice I found: Garlic Salt with a sell by date of 08-07-2000!!! YIKES!! :O It was in the very back. My most favorite and most used spice is definately herbs de provence. I recently bought mild yellow curry for a stew recipe but everything else needs to go. Thanks for the reminder!
Carrie Sola says:
January 26th 2010Ok. I had to go look in the cupboard that has my spices in them and found some cinnamon that was 6 years old. I am afraid to look any farther back!
Estela - Weekly Bite says:
January 26th 2010Hmmmm, this is a hard decision. I love spices and am a spice hoarder. I need to write the date i purchased them. What a smart idea!
I would say I need smoked paprika. I’ve tried to find it, but its always sold out :(
Have a great day :)
Nancy says:
January 26th 2010Oldest spice? Hmmm. Well, I just went to take a peak, and I found some star anise that I bought from an Indian grocer. I don’t even remember when I got it, so it must be pretty darn old. It’s not in the cabinet anymore – now, it’s in the trash! :-)
Oh, and BTW, my Capella oils arrived yesterday. Just used the crumb cake in my greek yogurt. Sprinkled on a dash of cinammon and stevia. Hmmmm! Doesn’t taste exactly like crumb cake, but it’s definetly hitting th spot right now.
Jamie Spenner says:
January 26th 2010Joanna, the oldest spice in my spice is curry powder that I think I bought 11 years ago (now in the trash) and the newest is White Pepper that I picked up last month. I can tell you that my spice cabinet needs an overhaul! Most everything is over 3 years old!
ashley says:
January 26th 2010Neat giveaway and question! I could use some new nutmeg :-)
Naomi(onefitfoodie) says:
January 26th 2010ohh what a fun giveaway! I LOVE spices on everything from salads to chicken to oatmeal, you name it I use it!! I think the oldest Spice I have sitting there is basil! I prefer the real stuff, but in the winter time I go to the jars and I def need a new jar of basil!!!
Erika says:
January 26th 2010Truth: we have a cream of tartar jar that has a 1998 stamp on it!
batty says:
January 26th 2010shortly after moving in with my boyfriend, i took it upon myself to rearrange the pantry. needless to say, it didn’t take long because i had to scrap everything – the *newest* spice expired in 2001.
needless to say, i’d take anything you’d dish out.
Evan Thomas says:
January 26th 2010My dill is dead. I’d love some more!
april says:
January 26th 2010Oh gosh.. we have a whole cabinet devoted to spices too! There’s some in the back that we don’t used and definitely needs to be replaced.. ones with MSG in them! ick!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers says:
January 26th 2010Oh my nutmeg definitely has to go…it tastes like sawdust (yet I keep using it why?)
Caryn says:
January 26th 2010My husband really manages the spice cabinet. Which we do have, but it seems to overflowing at the moment. My guess is it’s because we (or he) recevied a bunch of new spices for Christmas and hasn’t taken the time (or had the time) to clean out all the old spices. So to answer your question, I don’t know exactly what spices need to go, but my educated guess would be that there are several in that cabinet that need to refreshed! Thanks for all the useful suggestions on how to manage this unruly cabinet!!
Heather says:
January 26th 2010Oooooh! I may not have anything bad b/c I l-o-v-e-LOVE to use spices when cooking. Even if I don’t have a clue. Many boo-boos there. I’ll go check, hang on…. Well, since my first reaction was “When did I buy a box of small pieces of hay” when I saw the rosemary, I guess I’d have to say that. Guess it got pushed aside for the fresh stuff on the deck which…{leaning back in chair to peek at it}…whooooo…did NOT survive the uber-cold snap well. Like 2 little tan crispy Christmas trees. {sigh}
Lisa B. says:
January 26th 2010There is a very old container of dill sitting in my spice cabinet. I was even thinking about it the other day – I bought it to sprinkle over salmon, and that must have been 3-4 years ago I grilled salmon. Sad but true.
Kelly Olexa says:
January 26th 2010I’d have to say paprika or mustard for my oldest spices!! Love the company here, love it!
Heather says:
January 26th 2010I just bought my own house….the only spice I have is half an old jar of Mrs. Dash! I need some help!
Tracy says:
January 26th 2010umm considering they’re from when my parents bought the house in ’87 or from the ahem, dollar store, i think i could use a total cleansing :)
Claice says:
January 26th 2010I know the nutmeg is been there for a really, long time. I never use it. Why did I even buy it? Probably for a one time recipe, it should go.
mps says:
January 26th 2010I have spices from a store that I know went out of business about 4 years ago. I should probably trade them in!
carrie says:
January 26th 2010When I packed for a move to a new home I got rid of my years old spices. Now I have only my favorites and only buy what I run out of and will use. I do, however, have some old ginger that is not even in the jar. I transfered it to a baggie because there wasn’t much left. I only use it once a year in a special Thanksgiving dish. Wonder if it even makes a difference, being it’s so old!
Charlotte says:
January 26th 2010I have a whole cupboard just for spices. Love them. I had lived in a house for 23 years and when I moved in 2000 the first time, still had spices that could have been that old. Got rid of all of those at that time. Then moved 4 years later and cleaned out some that were probably 4 years old. I have moved twice since 2004 and each time I cleaned out more spices. I seem to keep them as long as I live in a house. I don’t plan on moving anytime soon, but I could probably clean out a few more at this time. Would love some new ones.
Brittayn says:
January 26th 2010Goodness. I know I have some old spices but I can’t for the life of me remember which is the oldest container. I do know that we need more Italian seasoning and thyme though!
Zoe says:
January 27th 2010My nutmeg is completely OLD. I mean, it’s probably lost its nut, maybe even its meg by now. And I love nutmeg!
Aileen says:
January 27th 2010I am really in need of some new cinnamon and nutmeg. Both of them are starting to smell a little dusty, if you know what I mean. Fresh spices would be great!
Jodie says:
January 27th 2010My fennel seeds are old as well as dill.
Joyce Cherrier says:
January 27th 2010That’s great that Spices,Inc. puts dates on the labels. That would certainly help! I always love cinnamon. Dill is a also a fav. I recently had to toss a few. I knew it was time when it came out in unidentifiable chunks. *ick*
Sandy Krieg says:
January 27th 2010My Allspice, it is from Griffin’s and it’s in a metal container! How long has it been since they used square tins? I’d say that it is probably over ten years old, at least!
The spice still smells good and they are solid, not crumbling. I guess they should have kept the tin containers! Could I use new spices? I think so!
This week was full of Fitness & Spice! | Fitness & Spice says:
January 31st 2010[...] It started off a little spicy… [...]