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On rainy days, the increased humidity might cause stored spices to get soggy. Rain causes the air to become saturated with moisture, which can impact dry items like spices. Spices easily absorb moisture from the air because they are hygroscopic. Spices in open containers or poorly sealed packaging absorb this excess moisture during the rainy or monsoon seasons.
As spices absorb moisture, they can lose their crisp texture and become clumpy or soggy, making them less effective and difficult to utilise as the volatile chemicals and essential oils that give the spices their unique flavour dilution, the flavour and scent of the spices may also fade. In extreme circumstances, too much moisture can encourage the formation of fungus or mould, which affects the quality and could harm your health. Keep reading to know how it can be prevented.
Hacks To Prevent Spices From Going Soggy On Rainy Days
Airtight Containers
When it comes to keeping spices and masalas, this is the most fundamental guideline. The moisture in the air can ruin the masalas, causing them to lose their flavour, scent, and colour, so you must store them in sealed containers. Glass jars and tiny plastic containers can be reused, or you can purchase separate spice jars for each. Another excellent option to keep spices is in the traditional Indian spice container with smaller jars inside. Having all the necessary spices in one box when cooking is also handy.
Keep Away From Heat
Spices shouldn't be kept immediately next to a gas stove, even if you might want to have them all close at hand for cooking. Most people tend to position them on a shelf near the cooking stove to keep them at arm's length when cooking. This might build up the humidity in the spice jars, making the spices lose out on flavour because of additional heat in humidity.
Steer Clear Of Light
Everyone wants a spacious kitchen room with loads of natural light creeping in, but it is not ideal when it comes to storing the spices. It is usually preferable to store the spice jars in a cool, dark spot because light might alter the flavour of the spices even in the rainy season. Therefore, arranging them for aesthetic appeal on the kitchen windowsill is not a good idea. Keep them in closed cabinets. Using coloured containers to lessen light penetration might be another wise move.
Refrain From Refrigerating
Although it is not uncommon, many people tend to keep spices and masalas in the refrigerator in the hopes that they will stay fresh. Wet masala mixes keep well in the refrigerator for a few days, while dry ones absorb moisture and lose their scent. If you absolutely must, vacuum-packing and freezing them is still preferable. The best choice, however, is to buy or grind them in modest quantities. The freezing method is the best option for exported masala mix with negligible use. If it's powdered, keep it in airtight containers in a cool, dark area.
Keep Them Away From Water
Moisture of any kind could be detrimental to the shelf life of a spice blend. Ensure that you always use a clean and dry spoon when cooking. The jars should never be kept next to the sink, as even a few drops of water can ruin the flavour and scent.
