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How long do spices last? Freshness chart
A printable chart of how long 51 Indian spices and masalas stay fresh, whole and ground.
What is on this chart
How long each spice keeps its best flavour in an airtight jar, away from heat and light. Older spices are safe if dry, just weaker.
| Spice | Whole | Ground or blend |
|---|---|---|
| Asafoetida (Hing) | - | 1 year |
| Biryani masala | - | 3 months |
| Black cardamom (Badi elaichi) | 15 months | - |
| Black cumin (Shahi jeera) | 1 year | - |
| Black pepper (Kali mirch) | 3 years | 3 months |
| Carom seeds (Ajwain) | 1 year | - |
| Chaat masala | - | 3 months |
| Chai masala | - | 3 months |
| Chettinad masala | - | 3 months |
| Chole masala | - | 3 months |
| Cinnamon and cassia (Dalchini) | 1 year | 6 months |
| Cloves (Laung) | 1 year | 3 months |
| Coriander seed (Dhania) | 1 year | 3 months |
| Cumin (Jeera) | 1 year | 4 months |
| Curry powder (British-Indian style) | - | 3 months |
| Dhansak masala | - | 3 months |
| Dried fenugreek leaves (Kasuri methi) | 6 months | - |
| Dried mint (Pudina) | 6 months | - |
| Dried pomegranate seeds (Anardana) | 1 year | 1 year |
| Dried red chillies (Sabut lal mirch) | 1 year | - |
| Dry ginger (Saunth) | - | 1 year |
| Dry mango powder (Amchur) | - | 6 months |
| Fennel seed (Saunf) | 1 year | 3 months |
| Fenugreek seed (Methi dana) | 1 year | 4 months |
| Garam masala (Punjabi style) | - | 3 months |
| Goda masala | - | 3 months |
| Spice | Whole | Ground or blend |
|---|---|---|
| Green cardamom (Elaichi) | 1 year | 1 month |
| Indian bay leaf (Tej patta) | 1 year | - |
| Jaljeera masala | - | 3 months |
| Kashmiri chilli (Kashmiri mirch) | 1 year | 6 months |
| Kashmiri masala (ver style) | - | 3 months |
| Kokum (Kokum) | 1 year | - |
| Long pepper (Pippali) | 2 years | 4 months |
| Mace (Javitri) | 1 year | 3 months |
| Malvani masala | - | 3 months |
| Milagai podi (gunpowder) | - | 3 months |
| Mustard seed (Rai, sarson) | 15 months | 4 months |
| Nigella seeds (Kalonji) | 1 year | - |
| Nutmeg (Jaiphal) | 3 years | 3 months |
| Panch phoron | - | 3 months |
| Pav bhaji masala | - | 3 months |
| Rasam powder | - | 3 months |
| Red chilli powder (Lal mirch) | - | 6 months |
| Saffron (Kesar) | 2 years | - |
| Sambar powder | - | 3 months |
| Sesame seeds (Til) | 6 months | - |
| Star anise (Chakri phool) | 1 year | - |
| Tandoori masala | - | 3 months |
| Turmeric (Haldi) | - | 1 year |
| White poppy seeds (Khus khus) | 6 months | - |
| Whole garam masala (Khada masala) | 1 year | - |
