How Long to Save Spices
Epices Anatol Spices has been a fixture in Little Italy for years. I asked Jimmy how long you can keep spices fresh in your cupboard. He talked about keeping them well sealed in a cool dark cupboard. For spices that you buy in grains, you can expect them to stay fresh about 2 years. For powders, only keep them 1 1/2 years and for leafy ones, like herbs, only 8-12 months.
This wholesaler also sells retail, so the prices you pay are quite good. There is a huge inventory with 60 varieties of tea (even rooibos) and 150 herbs (some for tea infusions). Add to that 600 spices (cinnamon sticks, star anise), 90 kinds of nuts (macadamia, hazelnuts), whole wheat, soya and spinach pasta, buttermilk powder, dried mushrooms (porcini, morels, bolete cepes), sugar-free candy, wasabi peas, goji berries, peppers (chili, Szechuan, espelette) and henna for your hair, too. For baking, expect to find many flavour essences, bulk Callebaut chocolate, candied and dried fruits (papaya, pineapple, blueberries, peaches, cherries, cranberries) and silver pieces for cake decorating. They bring in their olive oil from a friend in Crete. You can get even better prices by buying in larger quantities.
Location: 6822 boul. St-Laurent
corner: Dante
Tel: 514-276-0107
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5