Although spices can spoil, they often don’t go bad as quickly as perishable items do. Rather, they become less effective with time, so your food won’t taste as good. While whole spices can survive up to 4 years or more if properly stored in a cool, dark area away from moisture and sunshine, ground spices typically have a shelf life of 1 to 3 years. You may sniff a spice to see whether it’s still excellent; if it doesn’t smell strongly, it’s definitely time to replace it.
