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Step 1
Buy seasonings in small quantities and replace them often. If selecting herbs or spices from a bulk bin, smell them to make sure they're highly aromatic and don't buy them if they look faded.
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Step 2
Shop for seasonings in a store that sells a high volume, thus ensuring quicker turnover and fresher herbs and spices.
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Step 3
Opt for whole spices instead of ground when available. The seed hulls and coating offer natural flavor protection while already milled spices deteriorate more rapidly.
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Step 4
Stock up on the basics. Sea salt, black peppercorns, basil, oregano, thyme, chile powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and paprika are essentials for many recipes.
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Step 5
Select pre-mixed seasonings to infuse food with flavor in one easy step. Grill seasoning (garlic, salt, peppers), poultry seasoning (thyme, sage, celery salt) and Italian seasoning (parsley, rosemary, basil, oregano) are quick ways to spice up a dish. Many experienced cooks, however, prefer to create their own blend of flavors and avoid buying pre-mixed seasonings.
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Step 6
Evaluate your tastes in order to fine tune your seasoning selections. Think about what style of food your family prefers and cooks often. For example, Italian recipes often use rosemary, basil, oregano and thyme. Mexican food often includes chile powder, cumin and coriander, while Thai dishes incorporate red and green curries and garam masala.
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Step 7
Add ground seasonings at the end of the cooking period since they release their flavors immediately; add whole spices at the beginning to extract their full flavor.
