What is the average shelf life of chili powder? How long does chili powder last in the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer? What is the best way to store chili powder to increase its shelf life? Find out the answers to these questions and more below:
Shelf Life of Chili Powder
| Pantry | Refrigerator | Freezer | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powder | 2-3 Years | - | - |
A chili powder that is extracted from the dried chili is one of the most popular spice. The shelf life of a chili powder is usually more than one year from its manufactured date. It is better to replace it after six months as it loses its potency with time. Every spice loses its flavor with time, but it won’t be harmful to use it in either way. To use it for a longer term, it is advisable to keep your chili powder in special insulated sheets that can protect it from oxidation and increases its useful life.
Purchasing Chili Powder:
There are dozens of chili peppers and chili pepper blends. The commercial blends will have some peppers and with a different spice. They are classified as hot, cold, and super-hot. These are also associated with the cuisine of India, Mexican, or Korean cuisine, with the different taste like sweet, Smokey and very strong and spicy. It should be made with 100% natural ingredients with zero preservatives and artificial colors. It should be free from rancidity and musty smell.
Storing Chili Powder:
Storing the chili powder in a right way can increase its shelf life. Always store it in a dry and cold temperature place, preferably at higher than 20C. Do not save the chili powder when it is hot. If you store the chili powder in a moist area, it will ruin its potency and its pureness. It is best to keep it at a moderate temperature place and avoid its contact with water to increase its useful life. You can also protect it by preventing its unnecessary exposure to oxygen. After using the chili powder, you can put it into a box that can be tightly locked.
Handling Chili Powder:
If you want pureness in your chili powder, make sure that it has zero preservatives, and it is better to prepare it in your home. To do so, cut off the stems of red chili, dry the chilies under the rays of the sun, until the chilies turn into the crispy form. It’s advisable not to store it when it is dry. Once it’s cooled down, you can save it in an airtight container. Handling it carefully will preserve its taste, spice, and robust flavor for more than a year.
Cooking Food with Chili Powder:
Every dish may require a specific quantity of the chili powder to enhance its spice and flavors. The chili powder is found in almost every dish stews, pasta, and all the unique dishes of Asian countries like India Pakistan and Bangladesh that are known for their spicy food and uses the chili powder as their prime ingredient. The chili powder with different papers and blends and cuisine will have a distinct taste that set the new spicy taste bud and set the tummy on fire. Many dishes have chili powder as it’s the main spice in their food. Without the red chili, the food seems to be incomplete for them.