Coffee Grinding Spices Removes Flavor?

[Jason B]

I was doing a close to BRITU recipe on some baby backs yesterday.

My onion power was very clumpy when I was making the rub so I decided to put the entire rub contents through a coffee grinder.

Was it my imagination or is it possible I grinded out some flavor? Because the ribs were still good, but didn't seem to have the usual bite the spcies lend.

 

[Jim Minion]

Jason
If the onion powder was clumpy it means it has gotten moist and more than likely been around a while. Age, moisture, direct sunlight storage and other things will cause spices to lose their flavor.

Fresh spices don't lose flavor from grinding.

Jim

 

[V_Rocco]

How does your coffee taste now? (just kidding)

 

[David Lohrentz]

Actually, if you use whole spices, toast them first in a dry pan and then grind them in a coffee grinder, they are much more fragrant than if you were using pre-ground spices. Many spices will keep much better in their whole form than they will once ground.

 

[Jane Cherry]

It is possible to burn your spices by grinding too long. My suggestion is to use short bursts that aren't too long, allowing a short cool down process so you don't fry your spices with friction. Be sure to shake the grinder to mix things up in the process.