Fresh or dried

[monkeyboy]

Spices

Which is better?

Is there ever a need when dried is better?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Fresh is better for some things, but dried is a requirement for others (flavors expand and develop when dried), but even dried spices should be fresh.

 

[LuvOrlando]

IMHO, fresh is only necessary when it's cilantro, basil & garlic... even the garlic can be made into a fresh paste then frozen into a sheet in a ziploc.

The only reason I think this is because these particular spices tend to be used in raw foods so the taste is off if they aren't fresh. I suppose if I ate more raw stuff I'd add more to my list but as it is, this is it. The rest of the time I personally do not notice the difference. I tend to think chefs on TV live in an imaginary world where either everyone has a unlimited herb garden or fresh spices aren't too $ to throw away un-used, they go bad in a day or two.

 

[cybrkitn]

I prefer dried b/c I can use them anytime where fresh spices will go bad and I'll wind up throwing them out.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I prefer dried rosemary, fresh can be too chewy and hard to chop finely enough. Garlic, cilantro, basil, thyme, and oregano I prefer fresh, but I'll still use dried thyme and oregano.

 

[Diznygrl]

I mostly use fresh herbs, especially in the spring and summer...it's kind of a pain to pick and wash and chop...but it tastes better to me. And yes, I do have an herb garden!

But if we're talking about SPICES(nutmeg, cumin, etc.), then no I don't buy whole and grind it up myself or anything. I just buy the jars of pre-ground.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I was just to say....leaves are herbs, any other part of the plant is a spice! I learned that on the Behind the Seeds tour at Living With the Land.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Many herbs lose their oils when they are dried (Rosemary, basil). The difference in taste is dramatic. Whenever possible, use the fresh. I know ginger is completely different fresh than dried.