"Janet Bostwick" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 08 Oct 2012 10:41:54 -0400, Dave Smith
> > wrote:
> snip
>>I would bet that in most kitchens there are herbs and spices that have
>>been there for years.
> Nope. Everything is dated. One-year turn around for most, 2 year
> maximum. Exceptions are whole cloves, whole cinnamon and whole nutmeg
> -- those I will keep longer.
>
> snip
> You will have a hard time convincing me that a less
>>than fresh spice in a bulk store is going to be any worse for wear when
>>you finally use it five years later. And FWIW.. oregano is usually used
>>dried, rarely fresh.
>>
>>
> Have you ever watched the turnover in the bulk section? In my Winco,
> there are 2 times of the day that you will darn near be run over by
> staff refilling all the bulk stuff -- including herbs and spices. At
> other times it is difficult to elbow space enough at the bins to get
> what you want. Maybe in your stores, but not in mine.
> Janet US

I don't know about the spices but so far what I have bought in bulk there
has been very fresh. This has not been the case in other stores.