The Art of Spice Storage: Making the Most of Your Spices
Spices add flavor to a dish, they can transport our taste buds to distant lands, and they have the power to elevate even the simplest of ingredients to the level of gourmet. However, to make the most of spice, you must not only select the finest varieties but also understand the art of spice storage. In this article, we delve into the world of spice storage and explore how Harris Spice's warehouse storage capabilities contribute to preserving the essence of these culinary treasures.
The Basics of Spice Storage
Spices are delicate. Their flavors and aromas can easily be compromised by improper storage conditions. Here are some fundamental guidelines for ensuring your spices remain at their peak:
- Cool, Dark, and Dry: Sunlight, heat, and humidity are the enemies of spices. Store your spices away from direct light in a cool, dry place. While transparent containers might seem appealing, they can allow light to rob spices of their color, so opt for opaque or dark-colored containers. Heat and moisture can lead to flavor loss and clumping, so avoid storing spices near stoves or sinks.
- Airtight Containers: Exposure to air can cause spices to lose their potency. Transferring spices from their original packaging to airtight containers helps maintain their quality by minimizing air and moisture contact.
- Labeling and Rotation: Just like any other pantry item, spices have a shelf life. Keep track of purchase or "use by" dates by labeling your spice containers. Using older spices can lead to lackluster flavors, so it's best to replace them periodically.
Harris Spice's Commitment to Spice Excellence
What sets Harris Spice apart isn't just the remarkable range of spices, but also the approach to spice storage within our warehouse.
Harvest-Cycle Sourcing
To source the freshest spices, Harris aligns its procurement to harvest cycles of different spices all over the world. Be it Oregano from Mexico or Anise from Turkey, we buy directly from source markets via local processors who are aligned with their community of growers. This “cream-of-the crop” sourcing mindset ensures that we have access to the most potent spice that nature offers.
Each spice must be stored in conditions which are ideal to the preservation of its natural properties.
Securing, Drying, & Pre-cleaning
Securing these fresh spice yields is the next step in our sourcing process. The farm-gate spices are first dried, steam treated to elimination pathogens, and then immediately transported to pre-cleaning facilities where potential heavy extraneous matter (sometimes referred to as “filth”) is removed using metal detectors. This ensures that the spice sent to storage is stable, by being not only as fresh as possible but free of any undesired elements.
State-of-the-Art Warehousing:
The pre-cleaned spices are then stored in temperature and humidity controlled warehouses to preserve their flavor, aroma, and overall quality. From fragrant cinnamon sticks to pungent cumin seeds, each spice must be stored in conditions which are ideal to the preservation of its natural properties.
Airtight Packaging
Our commitment to quality is reflected in our use of airtight packaging, which seals in the essence of each spice and protects it from degradation caused by exposure to air and moisture. Harris Spice goes the extra mile to ensure that the spices we source are kept as close as possible in freshness to the day they were harvested.
Custom-Processing, Packaging, Shipping, Handling
The journey of a spice at Harris Spice doesn't stop at the warehouse racks. Our skilled processing team custom-manufactures the spice according to stringent standards using state-of-the-art milling, treating, and packaging equipment. We take meticulous care in properly packaging and handling of each spice, ensuring the preservation of their intricate flavor, color, and aromatic profiles. This attention to detail ensures that the spices we source and process retain their freshness and are shipped to our customers with optimal flavor and aroma intact.
Empowering the Culinary Journey
While Harris Spice's warehouse capabilities play a crucial role in delivering top-tier spices, the responsibility of maintaining spice freshness lies partly in the hands of consumers. Following the guidelines of proper handling and storage allows spices to be fully experienced, enabling their flavors and aromas to be fully appreciated, and just makes dishes taste better.
