Probably every household recognizes it: an overflowing spice cupboard. Filled with herbs that you have used once. All these products have an expiration date, but is that really necessary for herbs in this case? Can they expire?! And if not, why is it there? 
Store herbs dry
The answer is simple: herbs do not expire. Jars of herbs and spices are almost dry, and it is common knowledge that bacteria cannot grow without water. You can therefore store herbs well past the ‘best before’ date. As long as no moisture gets into it.
Harmful?
The only thing that can happen is that the herbs get a slightly different taste. For example, when you store the herbs in a rack where the sun shines. The taste and smell will decrease and the color will change slightly. But harmful? Absolutely not. You can still use it just fine. However, they may no longer give your meal the optimal taste you had hoped for. So a tip is to store your herbs in a dry and dark place – exactly, they look great in your spice cabinet. Even after twenty years. In fact, keeping cloves for a long time only makes them tastier.
Nonsense
But why is there a ‘best before’ date on the jars? Mira Nooij, owner of a grocery store, answers this to Libelle: “I have no idea why that is on the jar. I do know that suppliers often change that date because it is pure nonsense.”
In other words: big nonsense. Just keep those herbs!
