The Seasoning Spoon

from the introduction:
"Season To Taste"—that vague yet realistic rule, is still fundamental to the preparation of good food. However, a little more specific information can save hours of experimenting and any number of food flops for those cooks, young and old, who haven't given much thought to seasonings. Because people's likes and dislikes vary widely in food flavors as in everything elseand the flavors of seasonings themselves vary, especially if the seasonings are not properly storedthere are few authorities on seasonings. And were there a great number of authorities, each cook would still be a rule unto herself, for through the use of seasonings she is trying to achieve only one thing: flavor combinations that are pleasing to her and her family. If your spice shelf is stocked with a few of the various types of seasonings, that's a sure sign your cooking isn't in a rut. In fact, an active spice shelf identifies the imaginative cook who takes pride in avoiding monotonous meals.