Spiced up: Replenish your seasoning collection and toss those beyond ...

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At Penzeys, as at other stores, you can usually get a better priceper ounce for larger quantities, but the savings is no good if youwind up throwing the spices away or, worse, using spices that arefaded or rancid.
If you like to experiment with different spices in smallquantities, check out Watkins' new pre-measured spice packets. Eachpacket holds one teaspoon of spice. Cumin, nutmeg, basil, paprikaand dry mustard are available, but the company plans to introducemore choices later this year.
"We're trying to fill a void by coming up with a way consumers canbuy spices in an economical and efficient way," said Jason Schumannof Watkins. Watkins spice packets are available at Walmart.com .
No need to throw away good money wasting fresh herbs, either.According to the "Spice and Herb Bible" by Ian Hemphill (RobertRose, second edition, 2006), basil, chervil, coriander, dill,parsley and tarragon (soft-leaf herbs) may be kept for up to a weekin a glass of water in the refrigerator.
Wash herbs in clean, cold water. Immerse the bottom inch of thestems in water; cover the foliage with a clean plastic bag. Herbswith tougher stems, such as thyme, sage, marjoram and rosemary, maybe kept for up to a week in a glass of water at room temperature,exposed to the air. The water should be changed every day.
Once you're sure that your spice rack isn't outdated, you canupdate it by adding a new herb or spice or three.
We just heard about merken, a copper-colored, smoky Chilean spicenow available in the United States (at Whole Foods Markets andWilliams-Sonoma stores).
The producer, Chileangourmet, says that merken has been Chile'smost popular spice for centuries and describes it as "a blend ofdried and smoked red chilis (aji cacho de cabra, or goat's horn),toasted coriander seeds, cumin and salt.
McCormick is always marketing new twists. Recently, it came outwith a cocoa chile (chipotles) blend, diced jalapenos, as well aslavender.
Today the buzz word is organic. McCormick and The Spice Hunteroffer a line of certified organic spices and herbs that areavailable locally at the large Giant Eagle stores.
Another trendy topic is "super foods," foods rich in antioxidants,and spices are among those. Recently, McCormick identified sevenantioxidant-rich "super spices" that researchers believe have thegreatest potential to improve health: cinnamon, ginger, oregano,red pepper (including cayenne, crushed red pepper and paprika),rosemary, thyme and turmeric.
While highly seasoned ethnic foods have grown in popularity, MargieGibbons, a spokeswoman for Penzeys, says: "Spices are not as trendyas one would think. In general you will find the same spices andherbs in most households as you did 10 years ago. In some parts ofthe country certain new spices might pop up, but most people stillbuy the staples such as garlic, vanilla, bay leaves, etc."