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Dried Methi - Shelf Life
- MonsieurBadgerCheese
- BIRD'S EYE
- Posts: 1607
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 4:04 pm
- Location: Lyon, France.
Dried Methi - Shelf Life
Due to an 'administrative error' (me pressing the wrong button during an online order) - I am now the proud owner of what could be the 'biggest box of methi in the world!'
Just wondering - once opened - any special requirements for storage, and does it have a limited shelf-life or last indefinitely?
Otherwise look out for my new thread - '101 Methi-Based BIR Curries'! Might even be a splinter e-book in it!
MBC
Just wondering - once opened - any special requirements for storage, and does it have a limited shelf-life or last indefinitely?
Otherwise look out for my new thread - '101 Methi-Based BIR Curries'! Might even be a splinter e-book in it!
MBC
- Cory Ander
- SENIOR MODERATOR
- Posts: 9521
- Joined: Sat Mar 02, 2013 3:52 pm
- Favourite Curries: King Prawn Phal
- Location: Perth, Western Australia
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
I store mine in its original packaging (I try and buy stuff that comes in its own sealable bag), inside a snap/zip lock bag, inside a sealable Tupperware box, inside a cool(ish), dark, cupboard.
It's good for a few months. Sample some, by crushing a few leaves, between your fingers, and smelling it. If it doesn't release a pungent, fragrant, savoury smell, ditch it and buy some more.
It's good for a few months. Sample some, by crushing a few leaves, between your fingers, and smelling it. If it doesn't release a pungent, fragrant, savoury smell, ditch it and buy some more.
CA (aka Admin)
- MonsieurBadgerCheese
- BIRD'S EYE
- Posts: 1607
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 4:04 pm
- Location: Lyon, France.
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
OK - Thanks for the advice. In the meantime might be trying some on pizza, sandwiches, toast.......ice-cream.....methi-tea??
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- SERRANO
- Posts: 357
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Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
Whoops—that is a pretty big box!
As CA said basically—store in a (preferably sealable) container in a cool, dark, dry place. Heat, light and moisture are the three primary degraders of all spices and herbs. Keeping them correctly will ensure a maximum shelf life. The test for freshness (or continued usability) is also as CA said—crumble some in your fingers and smell it, if it's still pungent and gives off a distinctive aroma it's still good to use.
I wouldn't worry too much, depending on how many dishes you make you'll probably get through a lot of it before it starts degrading to the point of not being useable any more. Having plenty of it gives you an ideal opportunity to experiment a little with it and use it in different ways. You can try crumbling it and adding as is but also soaking in water, straining and using that and also mixing into pastes.
I often find experimenting is the best way to learn and understand herbs and spices and the flavours they impart.
As CA said basically—store in a (preferably sealable) container in a cool, dark, dry place. Heat, light and moisture are the three primary degraders of all spices and herbs. Keeping them correctly will ensure a maximum shelf life. The test for freshness (or continued usability) is also as CA said—crumble some in your fingers and smell it, if it's still pungent and gives off a distinctive aroma it's still good to use.
I wouldn't worry too much, depending on how many dishes you make you'll probably get through a lot of it before it starts degrading to the point of not being useable any more. Having plenty of it gives you an ideal opportunity to experiment a little with it and use it in different ways. You can try crumbling it and adding as is but also soaking in water, straining and using that and also mixing into pastes.
I often find experimenting is the best way to learn and understand herbs and spices and the flavours they impart.
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
Fat kilner jar will do the job on it.
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- JALAPENO
- Posts: 161
- Joined: Sun Jan 19, 2014 9:06 pm
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
you could also grind to a powder and store or freeze.
Powder means less air in the container (preferably a tightly sealed bag with all the air squished out and sealed. You can also freeze the powder too.
There should be a date on the box, that will give you a clue.
KP
Powder means less air in the container (preferably a tightly sealed bag with all the air squished out and sealed. You can also freeze the powder too.
There should be a date on the box, that will give you a clue.
KP
- MonsieurBadgerCheese
- BIRD'S EYE
- Posts: 1607
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 4:04 pm
- Location: Lyon, France.
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
I'll Google that. thanks........!Currier wrote:Fat kilner jar will do the job on it.
- MonsieurBadgerCheese
- BIRD'S EYE
- Posts: 1607
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 4:04 pm
- Location: Lyon, France.
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
Spicey...........thanks for the advice. Hadn't thought of the soaking in water and straining angle. Guess you're right though.........experimentation must be the way to go!
You're right about a big box! It's a Kilo! Which is a load of something that doesn't weigh anything!!
You're right about a big box! It's a Kilo! Which is a load of something that doesn't weigh anything!!
Last edited by MonsieurBadgerCheese on Sat Mar 29, 2014 2:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
- MonsieurBadgerCheese
- BIRD'S EYE
- Posts: 1607
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 4:04 pm
- Location: Lyon, France.
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
KP,
Good idea re grinding into powder, but due to my overzealous ordering, I also have ground Methi. Have definitely become a bit obsessed straight away and over-done it! Guess I'm going to have to spread the BIR word here in Lyon and share my 'spoils'.
MBC
Good idea re grinding into powder, but due to my overzealous ordering, I also have ground Methi. Have definitely become a bit obsessed straight away and over-done it! Guess I'm going to have to spread the BIR word here in Lyon and share my 'spoils'.
MBC
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- JALAPENO
- Posts: 161
- Joined: Sun Jan 19, 2014 9:06 pm
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
Ah, but powdered leaf (which is what I was suggesting) and powdered methi bought in a shop are NOT the same thing!
Methi powder should be whiteish/cream in colour and is made from ground methi seeds (seeds which you can grow methi at home from). This is used like other ground spices in cooking whereas the leaf (or powdered leaf) can be sprinkled as a garnish at the end of cooking or added at any time in the process.
KP
Methi powder should be whiteish/cream in colour and is made from ground methi seeds (seeds which you can grow methi at home from). This is used like other ground spices in cooking whereas the leaf (or powdered leaf) can be sprinkled as a garnish at the end of cooking or added at any time in the process.
KP
- MonsieurBadgerCheese
- BIRD'S EYE
- Posts: 1607
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 4:04 pm
- Location: Lyon, France.
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
Ah right. Understood, thanks.
MBC
MBC
- Cory Ander
- SENIOR MODERATOR
- Posts: 9521
- Joined: Sat Mar 02, 2013 3:52 pm
- Favourite Curries: King Prawn Phal
- Location: Perth, Western Australia
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
I would just add that, for me, powdered fenugreek leaves just does not seem to impart the same flavour as coarsely crushed fenugreek leaves (for whatever reason).
CA (aka Admin)
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- JALAPENO
- Posts: 161
- Joined: Sun Jan 19, 2014 9:06 pm
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
Any idea why that might be CA?
KP
KP
- charliebir
- BIRD'S EYE
- Posts: 1287
- Joined: Tue May 26, 2015 2:45 pm
- Favourite Curries: Pathia, Garlic Chilli, Madras.
- Location: Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
Hi Mb,
Have you used up that methi yet.
I bought a big batch a couple of years ago. A bout a 1/2 a large Douwe Egberts jar left now. Still pungent !
Have you used up that methi yet.
I bought a big batch a couple of years ago. A bout a 1/2 a large Douwe Egberts jar left now. Still pungent !
Charlie.
- MonsieurBadgerCheese
- BIRD'S EYE
- Posts: 1607
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 4:04 pm
- Location: Lyon, France.
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
Hi charliebir,
Never got a chance. Before I had even made a dent in it, it somehow became infested with small creepy-crawlies, and so had to be binned. Bought myself a new (much smaller) box, which is now stored in a Kilner jar.
MBC
Never got a chance. Before I had even made a dent in it, it somehow became infested with small creepy-crawlies, and so had to be binned. Bought myself a new (much smaller) box, which is now stored in a Kilner jar.
MBC
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- PIMENTO
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2014 6:27 pm
- Favourite Curries: Garlic chilli chicken
- Location: Leeds
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
i keep mine in a glass coffee jar and probably had it over a year and i still use it but im no expert it might of gone off ,my curries still taste nice though
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- PIMENTO
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sat May 24, 2014 11:52 am
- Location: Adelaide
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
I've recently come across this same problem. I was lazy and just kept mine in it's original box, with the interior bag folded over.MonsieurBadgerCheese wrote:..it somehow became infested with small creepy-crawlies, and so had to be binned.
Looks like an air tight jar is essential.
- charliebir
- BIRD'S EYE
- Posts: 1287
- Joined: Tue May 26, 2015 2:45 pm
- Favourite Curries: Pathia, Garlic Chilli, Madras.
- Location: Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
Down to about 1/5 jar now. Still fresh and stinks the kitchen when cooking.charlie wrote:I bought a big batch a couple of years ago. A bout a 1/2 a large Douwe Egberts jar left now. Still pungent !
Charlie.
- charliebir
- BIRD'S EYE
- Posts: 1287
- Joined: Tue May 26, 2015 2:45 pm
- Favourite Curries: Pathia, Garlic Chilli, Madras.
- Location: Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
NVN,
Could it be these Aphids ?
http://tsucheta-dailyliving.blogspot.co ... id-of.html
Probably not if the bag was folded !
So were they in the bag all the time?
Could it be these Aphids ?
http://tsucheta-dailyliving.blogspot.co ... id-of.html
Probably not if the bag was folded !
So were they in the bag all the time?
Charlie.
Re: Dried Methi - Shelf Life
I pay just over £1 for 200g box it's the smallest they do at the supermarket where I shop. I only ever get a 1/3 used before it goes cardboardey. Seems like a big waste but it's cheap enough
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