✦ ORGANOLEPTIC QUALITY EVALUATION

Herb Freshness & Volatile Potency Grader

Check each quality marker below that applies to your bulk dried herb jar or pouch to evaluate its sensory freshness and expected shelf life.

1. Two-Part Latin Binomial Listed: Package clearly states the scientific species (e.g., Lavandula angustifolia or Cinnamomum verum). 2. True Botanical Color Retained: Leaves remain green/silver-green and petals remain golden/crimson/violet rather than faded tan. 3. Immediate Crush Aroma: Rubbing a pinch between two fingers releases an immediate burst of volatile essential oils. 4. Whole or Cut-and-Sifted (C/S) Structure: Intact flower heads, whole seeds, or clean leaf cuts rather than dusty fannings. 5. Airtight UV-Protected Container: Stored in amber/violet glass or opaque barrier pouches away from stove heat.

Botanical Plant Part	Peak Shelf Life (Amber Glass)	Primary Degradation Trigger	Sensory Sign of Oxidation
Delicate Flowers & Thin Leaves (Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Peppermint, Nettle)	12 – 18 months	UV/visible light & kitchen humidity	Green chlorophyll bleaches to olive-tan; lemon/mint top notes vanish.
Woody Mediterranean Leaves (Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Bay Laurel)	18 – 24 months	Stove heat & open air	Needles bend limp instead of snapping; camphor/thymol scent requires hard crushing.
Whole Seeds & Bark Quills (Cardamom, Fennel, Star Anise, Cinnamon)	24 – 36 months (Whole) / 6 mo (Ground)	Pre-grinding before storage	Seeds lose sticky oil sheen; pre-ground powders smell dusty like sawdust.
Dense Dried Roots & Resins (Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Frankincense, Myrrh)	3 – 5+ years	Moisture / pantry moths	Roots remain stable for years if kept bone-dry; resins slowly harden on the surface.

Herb Freshness & Volatile Potency Grader

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