On Fri, 06 Jan 2017 17:43:52 -0500, Brooklyn1
> wrote:

>On Fri, 06 Jan 2017 10:39:27 -0700, U.S. Janet B. >
>wrote:
>
>>On Fri, 06 Jan 2017 12:09:11 -0500, Brooklyn1
> wrote:
>>
>>>Alan Holbrook wrote:
>>>>
>>>>What's the shelf life of the various herbs and spices?
>>>
>>>Depends on several factors; which ones, whether whole or ground, and
>>>where/how stored. The most important longiviety feature is from where
>>>purchased. Many merchants, especially those selling bulk, take no
>>>precautions for maintaining freshness, their products are stored in
>>>large open cannisters and are handled by the public with unwashed
>>>hands... like feeding from a gross salad bar.. those products are
>>>already damaged when purchased. The reliable merchants store their
>>>products in controlled humidors and are handled/processed/packaged by
>>>trained employees.
>>>
>>Again, I have to ask. Where the heck do you shop that you are exposed
>>to such awful conditions for food? Apparently the hinterland of New
>>York is uncivilized.
>
>Anywhere selling bulk where customers help themselves is highly
>unsanitary. I'll buy produce where folks help themselves because
>produce is easy to wash, but herbs and spices can't be washed.
>
>>>>Having to discard a good portion of stuff because its lost its potency
>>>>over time would have some effect on the actual price.
>>>
>>>And negatively affect the dish in which they're used, therefore
>>>wasting all other ingredients in the dish. I've found that with
>>>purchasing herbs and spices "You get what you pay for" is a maxim to
>>>believe. The few pennies more for quality product is well worth the
>>>expense, store in tight lidded glass jars away from heat and light,
>>>and freeze excess.
>>
>>Herbs? I've only heard you say which herbs taste like the underside
>>of your lawnmower.
>
>That would be mint, I have patches of peppermint and spearmint in my
>lawn, I despise mint... I won't use mint toothpaste, my favorite is
>Tom's of Maine fennel flavored.
>
>>I don't believe you use herbs . . . spices yes,
>>but no herbs.
>>Janet US
>
>I use lots of herbs but I won't buy them from a public bulk bin where
>the entire world dips in with their scuzzy paws... I don't want those
>even for free. I buy institutional sizes from BJs and some blends
>from Penzys that I can't buy anywhere else. I don't comprehend the
>logic of buying a $20 roast and sprinkling it with four cents worth of
>stale scuzzy bulk spices.

None of my shops have bulk that allows dipping. It's all drop down
from a release door into a bag you hold beneath the door. You live
around some pretty old fashioned stuff. I usually have to wait behind
the employee that is refilling the bulk bins. Sometimes they are
filled twice daily. My shops know their customers well and don't
stock stuff that doesn't move.
Janet US