Q: How long do the seasonings last?
A: The typical shelf life is 2 years.
Q: Does your seasonings contain MSG?
A: We do not use MSG in our seasoning blends.
Q: Are your ingredients Non-GMO?
A: We use Non-GMO spices.
Q: Does your seasonings contain gluten?
A: Although our products are not certified gluten-free, we do not use ingredients with gluten in our spices.
Q: Does your seasonings have salt?
A: Yes. Most of our seasoning blend contain sea salt. We have salt-free seasoning blends.
Q: Can I cook it along with other spices?
A: Definitely. You can be as creative! It all starts with having a sense of adventure in the kitchen for you to discover wonderful new flavours at home, and cook them!
Q: How to store the spices?
A: Please keep them in room temperature only. Avoid placing in direct heat or sunlight. When you scoop the spices, move them away from steam or heat as this can add moisture to the spice blends.
Q: How can I tell if my spices are still good?
A: The potency of botanical products fades over time at different rates. Grinding exposes more surface area to the air, so ground spices lose their freshness more quickly than whole spices. As you can see in the table below, different parts of the plant age differently as well.
Q: Is your facility gluten-free?
A: While spices and herbs are naturally gluten-free, we do not test for gluten in all products from our suppliers only from those certified gluten-free.
Q: Why isn’t there nutritional information on most spices?
A: Most of our single ingredient spices (that is, basil, fennel, cumin, etc.) don't contain any reportable nutrients. Reportable nutrients are amounts significant enough to warrant reporting according to FDA food labeling regulations.
Q: How can I tell if my spices are still good?
A: The potency of botanical products fades over time at different rates. Grinding exposes more surface area to the air, so ground spices lose their freshness more quickly than whole spices. As you can see in the table below, different parts of the plant age differently as well.
For opened packages, follow the guidelines below:
Whole spices and seasoning blends
Leaves and flowers — 1 to 2 years
Seeds and barks — 2 to 3 years
Roots — 3 years
Vanilla beans — 2 years
Others — 2 to 3 years
Ground spices and seasoning blends
Leaves — 1 year
Seeds and barks — 1 year
Roots — 2 years
Q: Are our Spices products irradiated?
A: A1 PJC Spices does not irradiate any ingredient.
Q: Can I freeze spices?
A: Spices should not be stored in the freezer. Freezing does not extend the shelf life of regularly used dried spices. If stored in the freezer and repeatedly removed for use, the packaging may develop condensation, which can accelerate loss of flavor and aroma.