Kelli B. Grant from www.SmartMoney.com says to replace your spices after one year. She quotes Tina Ujlaki, executive food editor for Food and Wine magazine (www.foodandwine.com): "Dried herbs and spices lose their flavor over time. Whole spices, such as star anise or coriander, may last slightly longer — less of the spice is exposed to the air. To tell if your spices are past their prime, open the bag or jar and take a whiff. "If there's no scent, there won't be any flavor."