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The Controversy Around Storing Herbs
Continues
Are you confused about storing herbs? Actually this information is
for all food storage. For as long as there have been kitchens
there has been the problem of keeping food fresh and healthy. People
have learned that they can't leave food on the vine for long, dried
products need to stay dry and away from bugs, and dairy and meat
products need cold storage.
Up
until a few years ago many people thought that plastic was finally the
answer to long term dry food storage. Now we learn that 'some' plastics
are not
meant for food - but are being used for it. That's a frightening
realization. And, everywhere you look in the grocery store - you see
plastic. Even many spice containers are plastic and that raises the
question of, "Are my herbs and spices safe to use?" What
plastic is safe to use for storing herbs and spices?"
I
will admit I've enjoyed storing herbs and spices in my plastic storage containers. They were light
weight, have a great seal from bugs and humidity, and they don't break
like glass when dropped. But even I am rethinking my food storage and
how I am storing herbs. I am also doing a lot of rethinking about how I
buy many items in the grocery store. If the container is hard, clear
plastic - I don't buy it - and I'm checking recycle numbers on the
bottom of other plastics (and yes, passing on items that are not in
safe containers). I no longer buy bottled water and I certainly don't
reuse the bottle on the rare occasion that I'm forced to buy it
(drinking fountains are still free and you can refill a drinking
container at them). The entire plastic controversy has really opened my
eyes to many of my habits well beyond storing herbs.
The only real safe containers for storing herbs, spices and dry foods are porcelain, good ceramic or glass.
However even these have their problems.
Porcelain and Ceramic don't seal well and bugs can get into your foods.
And if the Ceramic isn't ceramic but Earthenware - it can absorb oder
or leach into the food. On top of those problems most Porcelain or
Ceramic is very thin making it even more fragile than glass.
Glass has two problems aside of it being breakable. Clear glass can
magnify light actually causing the stored product to spoil faster (so
they must be stored away from light), and if there's ANY moisture in
either the jar or the product - sealing it in glass will just cause
mold.
I have learned that plastic #2, #4, and #5 are considered safe for food
storage. You
can learn the current research results on plastic items here.
How do you tell what number it is? You look at the recycle number -
usually on the bottom of the container (if there's no number, defiantly
DON'T use it).
#2. HDPE:
This is High-density polyethylene. It IS
considered safe for food use, can go in the dishwasher and microwave
and has NO BPA.
#4. LDPE:
This is Low-density polyethylene. This has
also been tested as safe for food use and can go in the
dishwasher and microwave and has NO BPA.
#5. PP or PE: This is Polyethylene.
This is now considered one of the safest plastics (also # 2 and #4 -
the same material) for food use. You
will start to see this number used more and more. It is not known to
use any bad chemicals that can leach into food, can be used in the
dishwasher and microwave oven and has NO BPA.
Personally I've discontinued use of plastics in the microwave until
more studies have been done.
Here is
what I'm currently doing for storing herbs, spices and dry foods:
1.
I have replaced all my hard, clear plastic spice jars (this was a
plastic found to be very bad) especially if it doesn't have a recycle
number. Actually I replaced all of my spice and tea containers with
these as I like things to look good. The picture below is
before
I put a label on them. Why with a cork? Glass doesn't breath and
moisture can collect in spices that are sealed tight (air tight). The
cork lid allows just enough air to keep things fresh. Only a small
amount of my herbs and spices are stored like this - what I will
actually use quickly.
I make
my own labels (to match my kitchen) using address labels (you
can too).
2. I don't buy herbs and spices at the grocery store (haven't done this
for years). I don't know how the herbs and spices have been stored and
now with the worries concerning plastics it makes things even worse. To
add to that I don't know how old the herbs and spices are at a grocery
store (and some can be several YEARS old). I want what I use to be
FRESH. I collect herbs and spices in the wild, I grow my own or have
friends that grow and share - and the only other place I trust is
Mountain Rose Herbs.
To See
What I Have Available
To Visit Mountain Rose Herbs
3. My long term, bulk storage solution is a bit unusual. I still use
plastic but now I'm very careful. I have researched Glad Containers
(and I'm sure there are other containers that meet the safe for food
plastic - but you have to look). Here's
Glad's Statement on the safety of their products.
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I spend the time to divide the herb
or spice into the sizes I use most for that herb; 1 oz. for spices - 2
oz. for teas - various amounts for crafts.
These amounts are placed in paper bags, closed up and marked as to
what's in them.
The bags are then stored in a Glad Ware container in the pantry. |
Using this method I am sealing the food away from bugs and I'm
protecting it with the paper. As time passes I may change this - but
for now it feels right for storing herbs as well as other food items.
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All
information, shared on
this web site, is for enjoyment and study only and is NOT meant to
diagnose or treat any medical condition. Only your
health care professional is qualified to diagnose or treat medical
conditions. Do not risk your health! Just because
something is 'natural' does NOT make it safe. Do not, under
any
circumstance, ingest or use herbs in any form
without consulting your Doctor. If you do, you do so
at
your OWN RISK.
Web Site
Content (text, graphics, look and feel) are Copyright Protected © All
Rights Reserved 2009 - 2010, Sandy Marie.
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What I can harvest
and offer is limited by my area and season. The only other supplier I
trust is
Mountain Rose Herbs.
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This
website is made
possible & successful
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