Yes I meant sazon. (coriander, cumin, annatto, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper) I wasn't sure if clumping meant that the blend was losing its potency
Oh no, you're fine. If you buy organic single blend spices, they clump. It just means they clump. It's the freshness that matters and it's always better to keep them away from heat, light and extra humidity. So the cupboard above your stove and boiling pot of water is not a good place. I actually moved mine across from my stove. Not convenient, but I feel like I'm treating them right. They're expensive. CV's idea of a silica gel packet might work, but I don't mind sticking a knife in the jar occasionally. Sometimes a good shake is all that's required.
In addition to Susan W suggestions for keeping away from heat, light & extra humidity....buy your spices whole, and grind them in small amounts, because they DO start to lose potency once ground.
And you can always make more of the blend when it runs out.
Also, for potency, some people recommend keeping them in the fridge or freezer to extend shelf life, but these practices bring other problems. Condensation in the freezer, lack of use in both places because it's an extra step to open, find, use, replace.
The Japanese use these heavily in many of their food items (high humidity is a real issue in Japan, particularly during the summer). As for toxicity, well the Japanese have the highest longevity on this planet.
Humidity naturally causes clumping in spices. I'd rather have to unclump with the tip of a sharp knife than add the things they add to prevent clumping. Here's a couple of tips that may help.
http://theboatgalley.com/stop-spices-from-clumping/
Prevent clumping? more to your question?
I've made many spice blends (including medieval but not as early as Saxon) and not had problems with clumping.
Perhaps you can tell us what's in this Saxon blend, so we can analyse cause(s) and suggest how to prevent or fix...
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And you can always make more of the blend when it runs out.
Also, for potency, some people recommend keeping them in the fridge or freezer to extend shelf life, but these practices bring other problems. Condensation in the freezer, lack of use in both places because it's an extra step to open, find, use, replace.
The Japanese use these heavily in many of their food items (high humidity is a real issue in Japan, particularly during the summer). As for toxicity, well the Japanese have the highest longevity on this planet.
http://theboatgalley.com/stop-spices-from-clumping/
I've made many spice blends (including medieval but not as early as Saxon) and not had problems with clumping.
Perhaps you can tell us what's in this Saxon blend, so we can analyse cause(s) and suggest how to prevent or fix...