When do you toss rubs?

Mickey

I have rubs over 6/7 years old. Lot's over 4 years old. They have a smell when you open them. When do they expire? How can you tell? Thinking of tossing everything over 2 to 3 years old...... (((I have to stop buying rubs or Linda is going to divorce me, and I need her income to buy rubs)))

Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker

Rubs don't expire or go bad.  The heat will soften, and volatile or subtle flavors will fade over time. The flavor will change, get softer, less pungent.  Salt and sugar will be unchanged, it's just the spices which will lose freshness and potency.  It's up to you if you mind the change in flavor (you might need to use more to compensate), but it is still safe to use.  No food has an expiration date except baby formula.

lousubcap

I trust the good 'ol smell test, BGE smoke and anything else as well.  I've not used the hard and fast time-frame but as you note , if it smells then "when in doubt, throw it out".  I am trying to better manage the inventory but some spices become about a "one-off" for some recipe.  Next time you find/use it may be a few years down the road-I should do a run-through as well.

Griffin

Sounds like fi they are that old, they aren't getting used adn are just taking up valuable space. I'd take a hard look and figure out if they are worth keeping or should you just toss them since they aren't being used.

Village Idiot

I usually don't throw rubs out.  But, spices are different.  I typically will write the date I bought them on the bottle, and toss them when they are over a year old.  I have read that you should replace them after 6 months. 

I also try to buy the small bottles of spices, unless it's one I use a lot of .... like cumin. and pepper flakes.

gdenby

I find that there are 2 things to consider. If the stuff is in tightly covered containers, it can last a long time. I have some Indian masalas that came double bagged in mylar pouches. Those are still quite pungent after more than 6 years. If the contents have a lot of herbs, or ground chiles, they don't seem to have as long a lifespan as spices. I've tossed a few things because, while they still had aroma, I needed to use enough that I could feel the sawdust like plant matter in my mouth.

Little Steven

It's a good idea to buy whole seeds/pods where possible and grind before use. Lot more distance that way.