Tag: Herb potency

According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, while dried herbs don't spoil like perishable food, their flavor and aroma significantly diminish over time due to the degradation of essential oils. This confirms that yes, dried herbs lose their potency over time, impacting the taste and quality of your cooking.

The standard culinary rule of thumb for substituting dried herbs for fresh is a 3:1 ratio. This means that for a recipe calling for 1 tablespoon of fresh basil, you should use just 1 teaspoon of dried basil. This principle is crucial for achieving balanced flavor and preventing an overpowering, bitter taste in your dishes.