Before you add some chilli powder to your dinner tonight, you might want to think again.
New research has revealed that tiny bugs and insects can be commonly found in many of your favourite kitchen spices - with the most common being chilli powder, paprika and cayenne.
'The pepper family appears to contain the nutritional requirements necessary for multiple generations of stored product beetles to successfully sustain life,' entomologist Jody M. Green told Huffington Post.
The expert adds that you’ll also find creepy crawlies in other spices - including turmeric, coriander, cumin, fennel, and dry ginger. But Jody says the secret bugs are 'particularly fond of products derived from dried sweet peppers/chiles/red pepper products like red pepper flakes, paprika, chili powder, and cayenne.' Ewwwww!
The expert says the most common variety of bugs found in your everyday pantry spices are known as cigarette and drugstore beetles - which are also found in tobacco and various pharmacy items, which explains the names. They’re the size of a sesame seed and a reddish-brown colour - and can also fly. What?!
But if knowing that there could be flying bugs hiding in your spices wasn’t gross enough, it’s about to get worse - they can turn into worms.
YouTube user Troy G reveals the bug he found in his tin of paprika. Ew!
Image: Troy G/YouTube
‘These particular pests are beetles, so they undergo complete metamorphosis. So they have an egg, larva, pupa, and adult stage," he explained.
But the expert says there IS something you can do to ward off any possible infestation. He says it’s important to check spices for any damage or infestations BEFORE you buy them from the store, and to even stick them in your freezer for four hours after you buy them to end the life cycle of any bugs you may have missed. Good advice!
Now, we’re off to examine our spice rack ....
Experts advise freezing your spices for four hours after you bring them home from the store.
Image: Getty
Amy SinclairAmy Sinclair is the editor of New Idea Food. She is a former weekly magazine editor who loves all things food, cooking and eating - especially the eating! When she's not looking after her three children, you'll find her in the kitchen or busily hiding online shopping purchases from her husband.
