Storing Masalas

[tianaluthien]

hey guys,

I just bought some masalas from the New Madina Supermarket (Sambar and Chana) omn Ontario street and am wondering if I need to freeze them for 3 days before using them. They are the MDH brand, and a product of India. They weren't in the freezer when I bought them, but are packaged in a sealed plastic bag (I think) in a cardboard box.

Thanks!!

[MikeG]

It sounds like the OP wasn't planning to store the mixes in the freezer, but just leave them there a few days to kill off any insects or eggs that might be lurking within...

I do freeze chili powders (from anywhere) for a few days as as you've suggested since I've found them especially attractive to insects, but - somewhat surprisingly? - I've never had any insects at all hatch out of any brand those Indian spice packets apart from plain chili powders. (And even with the chili, it doesn't always happen.) Maybe the big companies irradiate spices in general or for export?

Fwiw, I keep them in small canning jars. The 8 oz/half-pint size holds one of those 100g packages comfortably and they're about as airtight as it gets.

[luckyfatima]

Oh. That went over my head. Well, I have never had insects hatch out of my store bought boxed masala mixes either. Or maybe they did and I just didn't notice *_*

[luckyfatima]

No no, don't freeze them. Keep them in your cupboard and away from moisture. They aren't fresh masalas anyway, the purists would frown, but that is okay. I use the boxed masalas, too. Just toss them at the expiration date on the box. Also, if they get clumpy or it seems oils has separated from them, it means they are stale. To help them stay fresh, spoon what you need out into a little bowl, never pour your masala directly from the packet into a bubbling hot dish on the stove. The steam from the pot will get in your packet and age the masala faster.

I don't even bother re-sealing the bags in the box, I just roll them up. But you could seal with a paper clip or something.