The One Tool You Need To Save Your Clumpy Spices

Many chefs are familiar with the dreaded experience of reaching for the paprika, onion powder, or lemon pepper and giving the spice jar a shake, only to find it has turned into one solid clump. This happens because spices are sensitive to moisture and heat. This can be frustrating, especially when it's a spice that you use frequently. It can also be stressful to hopelessly bang a spice bottle on the counter, trying to break up a needed ingredient, in the middle of meal prep. Fortunately, there's a perfect tool to save these clumpy spices.

This is a relatively mess-free method you can loosen up your spices so they are fresh and ready for your next use. That way, you aren't forced to throw an expensive spice jar in the trash can. Plus, the star of this de-clumping trick requires one kitchen item that you likely already have on hand — a small, fine mesh strainer.

To give your clumped-up spices a second wind, you'll first need to loosen up the stuck spices in the jar with a toothpick, skewer, or small knife. Pour them out onto a cutting board or plate, and place the now empty spice jar under a fine mesh strainer. Simply press the spices through the strainer and back into the jar to remove even the smallest clumps.

The process should be relatively mess-free if you are careful. But if you want to ensure no spices are wasted, you can place a funnel underneath the strainer. This can be helpful if your strainer is too large or the spice jar opening is especially small.

If you would like to try a different method, there are a few other approaches you can take to remove the clumps from your spices. One is using a mortar and pestle to regrind spices until they are smooth. Another is running the spices through a food processor or a coffee grinder — just make sure you clean it well so your next cup of coffee doesn't taste like garlic salt or cumin.

Another method to keep clumps away is by preventing them in the first place. Since spices are so sensitive to heat and moisture, storage is important. When stored incorrectly, spices are not only more susceptible to clumps, but they may also lose flavor and freshness. 

The best place to keep your spices is somewhere cool and dark away from direct sunlight, like a pantry or shallow drawer. If possible, try to ensure your spices are not adjacent to the stovetop, oven, or even the dishwasher, since regular exposure to heat will cause them to lose freshness faster. They should also be kept out of the refrigerator and freezer, where there is a lot of moisture. 

When stored properly, ground spices, such as garlic powder, ground nutmeg, and seasoning blends, can last up to three years, and whole spices, like cloves, fennel seeds, and cinnamon sticks, can last up to four years. If you have had spices sticking around for longer than that time frame, it may be a good idea to clean out your spice drawer and replace outdated ones.