Sweets

Let’s pretend for a moment that you’ve bought or made too much cheesecake. I know it’s almost impossible (at least for me), but let’s say that actually happened. Now you’re wondering how long does it last, and how to store this deliciousness so that it lasts the longest. Can cheesecake go bad?

Cheesecake is one of the most popular sweet desserts out there. But even though there are thousands of recipes available, storage, shelf life, and the process of deterioration and going bad are pretty much the same for all of them. Or most, at the very least. If you’re following a recipe you found online that doesn’t resemble your typical cheesecake, make sure to check how long it lasts and what’s the best way to store it.

Without further ado, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of cheesecakes.

Can Cheesecake Go Bad? How To Tell That Cheesecake Went Bad?

The filling of this dessert is a mixture of cheese (cream or ricotta), eggs, and sugar ([WIKI]). And as we all know, neither eggs nor cream cheese lasts forever. Thus, of course, cheesecake goes bad.

Saying if this creamy dessert is bad already is often quite tricky. Signs of mold, altered smell, or discolored filling are sure signs the cheesecake is no good anymore. But those often show up quite late, especially when it comes to cheesecakes that you order online, which often have a bunch of preservatives added.

What I’d suggest you do instead is to stick with the storage periods I outline below. That is, of course, if the dessert looks perfectly okay. And if you store the cheesecake for longer than 3 or 4 days already, always sample a small piece to check its taste. If the creamy and sweet main layer starts to taste sour, it’s time for it to go.

How Long Does Cheesecake Last?

The periods I outline here work great for almost all of cheesecakes out there. But as I already mentioned, consult the recipe to make sure it doesn’t come with a different set of guidelines.

Store-bought cheesecake, generally speaking, lasts between 5 ([EC]) and 7 ([JC]) days in the fridge, while homemade one is good for about 5 days ([CAC]). That’s how long the mixture of cream cheese, eggs, and sugar should be at peak quality.

Of course, many cheesecakes come with some topping. And sometimes that topping is more volatile than the filling. If that’s the case, the creamy dessert will be okay as long as the topping is. If that’s a homemade cheesecake, consider adding the topping right before serving if that’s possible.

How To Store Cheesecake?

Storing cheesecake is no rocket science. It should sit in the fridge, sealed tightly.

Store-bought ones often come in plastic containers, and those are good enough for storage purposes. If that container is not resealable, wrap the cake in plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container.

If yours comes only wrapped in paper and put inside a plastic bag, what you do with it depends on when you plan on consuming it. If you’re going to eat it right away or within like 2 to 3 hours, leave the cake as is on the kitchen counter. Otherwise, discard the plastic bag, transfer the dessert to an airtight container and refrigerate.

When it comes to homemade cheesecake, you can cut it into pieces and transfer to airtight containers. Or use a large cake container if you happen to have one, provided that it fits into your fridge, of course.

If the given storage period isn’t long enough for your needs, consider freezing the cheesecake.

Can You Freeze Cheesecake?

You’ve probably seen frozen cheesecake in a supermarket. Or if you’ve ordered cheesecake online, it arrived frozen or half-defrosted with dry ice packs all over the package. That’s a pretty sure sign you can freeze this dessert if I’ve ever seen one.

Doing it is super easy, too. All you need is some plastic wrap and freezer bags or containers. First, tightly wrap the cake with plastic wrap ([EC]). Then, for some added protection against cold air, put the wrapped cheesecake in a freezer bag or container. Bags take less freezer space, but if you’re worried that the dessert will get squished, a container is the way to go.

When it comes to defrosting, there are two options ([JC]), both quite time-consuming. First is to leave the cake overnight in the fridge, and then bring it to room temperature on the counter for about 2 to 3 hours before you serve it. The other is to defrost it on the counter for about 4 to 5 hours. As you can see, both require some planning-ahead to have it ready when guests arrive.

If you won’t use the whole thing in one sitting, it’s best to defrost it in the fridge, then cut as much as you need and bring to room temperature. You can refreeze the rest ([JC]), or leave in the fridge if you plan on eating it within a couple of days.

In a Nutshell

• Mold, off smell, and filling discoloration are sure signs the cheesecake is done for. Also, check if the filling didn’t start to turn sour.
• Commercially-bought cheesecake lasts 5 to 7 days, homemade up to 5 days.
• Store cheesecake in the fridge, tightly sealed. If there are only a couple of hours between when it’s baked and when you plan on eating it, keeping it on the kitchen counter is okay.
• If you need more than the mentioned 5 to 7 days, freeze the cheesecake.

References

• [WIKI] Wikipedia: Cheesecake
• [JC] Junior Cheesecake: FAQ
• [EC] Eli’s Cheesecake Company: FAQ’s
• [CAC] Cookies & Cups: How To Make a Perfect Cheesecake

I know as well as you do that brownies rarely survive long enough to worry if they’re still okay to eat. But let’s say you’re living on your own, and trying to limit sugar intake. So you decide to eat one per day, instead of finishing the six-pack in one sitting. If that’s the case, you actually might need to know how long they last, and how to tell they’re done for.

Before we go any further, I want you to remember that there are hundreds of recipes for brownies, each one slightly different than the others. That makes it challenging to give you a one-size-fits-all answer. But I’ll try my best to keep this guide to the point, without getting into too much detail.

Ready to learn about the shelf life, going bad, and proper storage practices for brownies? Let’s go.

Can Brownies Go Bad? How To Tell If They Are Bad?

Brownies don’t last forever, but they also (usually) don’t go off in a way veggies or dairy do. That means they probably won’t get moldy or rotten. Unless, of course, you store them for a really long time and in improper conditions.

Instead, you should look for slight changes in texture, aroma, and taste. If the brownie (or blondie, that is a brownie made with white chocolate) started out super moist and is now dry and crumbly, it’s time for it to go. If there’s a filling or frosting and it starts to change color, that’s also a sign it’s nearing its time.

Taste is the last piece of the puzzle. If it changes noticeably, discard the brownies. There’s no point in eating subpar brownies. They’re supposed to be a treat, not torture. I know I tend to eat all kinds of baked goods even if their quality is far from its peak, but I’m working on it. If you’re like me, I hope you’re working on it too. It’s okay to throw away food that’s of poor quality.

The truth is, more often than not, brownies keep quality for longer than expected. And there are no noticeable changes that indicate spoilage, or even quality loss. That’s why it’s also important to pay attention to how long we store them.

How Long Do Brownies Last?

As I already mentioned, there are numerous brownie recipes. The shelf life depends heavily on the ingredients used and their proportions. Plus there are preservatives, that some bakeries use to retain the quality of their baked good for longer. Because of that, all I can give you when it comes to “life expectancy” of your brownies is a pretty safe estimate. And that estimate is about 4 to 5 days ([BB][CB]) for all kinds of brownies. When in doubt, finish the box within those five days, or discard the leftovers.

Now let’s talk about it in a bit more detail. Generally, moist brownies (with lots of butter and chocolate) tend to retain quality for longer than those with high flour content. It makes perfect sense because both butter and chocolate last quite some time. That means you might get a couple more days of good quality.

Brownies with dairy filling or topping probably won’t last much longer past those 4 to 5 days simply because whipped cream and other dairy products used in toppings don’t last much longer. In short, enjoy those brownies fresh.

Last but not least, some bakeries offer brownies that keep quality for much longer, like three weeks ([LB]), or even a month. That might be a good option for you if you want to limit sugary treats to one every couple of days and can’t stand throwing food away. Such brownies last long enough for you to eat them without gorging on them.

When it comes to homemade brownies or blondies, read the recipe carefully. Often you can find there the info on how long a freshly baked brownie slab lasts. Keep that in mind when storing it.

If the storage time given above is not enough for you (for some reason), you can successfully freeze most brownies ([BB][CB]).

Can You Freeze Brownies?

Yup, most brownies freeze just fine. Unless it’s the dry variety, or the filling or icing doesn’t freeze that well, feel free to freeze yours. The process is super simple:

1. Portion the brownie slab or pieces if needed. If you won’t be able to finish the thawed baked dessert within 3 to 4 days, it’s best to divide it into smaller portions.
2. Wrap the brownies with aluminum foil if you plan on freezing them for longer than a month. Skip if you’re freezing them only for a week or two.
3. Transfer the chocolate dessert in a freezer-safe resealable container. Seal it tightly. Add a label if you find it useful.
4. Put the container into the freezer.

When it comes to defrosting, putting the container in the fridge and leaving it there for the night should do the trick. Eat the thawed brownies within 3 to maybe 4 days.

If you’re not interested in freezing your brownies, let’s talk about the usual storage practices.

How To Store Brownies?

The best place to store your brownies depends on the ingredients used. Moist brownies, or ones with egg and dairy icing or filling, should be stored in the fridge. Those more on the drier side are perfectly fine at room temperature or slightly below. When in doubt, consult the baker or check out the bakery’s website for info. If stored improperly, the quality of the cake might go south quite fast.

No matter where you keep the brownie slab or pre-cut pieces, make sure the container is sealed tightly. This way the cake won’t dry out, or pick up other odors if it’s in the fridge. A sealable plastic cake container should do the job perfectly well.

In a Nutshell

• Look for changes in texture, smell, and aroma of the brownie. If either is off, it’s probably time to get rid of the baked good.
• Brownies typically last 4 to 5 days in peak quality. Some bakeries make brownies that last much longer, like three weeks or a month. When in doubt, go with the 4 to 5 days recommendation.
• You can freeze most brownies and be perfectly happy about the results.
• Moist brownies and ones with dairy and egg icing or filling should be refrigerated. The rest is probably better of at room temperature.

References

• [BB] Bear’s Brownies: Help and FAQs
• [CB] Charlie Brownies:: FAQ
• [LB] Letterbox Brownies: FAQ’s

Pancakes are quintessential breakfast food because they are delicious, filling, and versatile. Depending on the add-ons, you can whip up savory or sweet pancakes. While you can make pancakes from scratch, it is much more convenient to stock up on pancake mix. Pancake mix products are widely available in local supermarkets and are quite affordable! They make morning breakfast preps so much simpler! But what if you have too many boxes of pancake mix in stock? Can pancake mix go bad?

Can Pancake Mix Go Bad?

Pancake mix is not impervious to spoilage but it should keep for a long time since it is sold in powder form. The lack of moisture helps extend the shelf life of the mix. That being said, proper storage is still important to stretch the storage life of pancake mix.

Image used under Creative Commons from Marco Verch

A box of pancake mix must be kept sealed at all times to minimize air exposure and decrease the risk of mold growth. The fact is, pancake mix is prone to mold growth especially when it is kept somewhere humid.

Signs that Pancake Mix Has Gone Bad

What signs should you look for when checking if the box of pancake mix you kept for so long is still safe to eat? Start by checking the texture, color, or flavor of the mix. If the pancake mix powder developed an off odor or it emits a moldy odor, the product is no longer safe to eat. If you see flecks of blue-green spots all over the mix, that’s mold. Toss the pancake mix in the trash when you see signs of mold growth.

How to Store Pancake Mix?

The best way to store sealed, unopened boxes of pancake mix is in the pantry, at room temperature. Since the powdered product is kept sealed in its original packaging, it is safe to keep the product on the kitchen counter or the cabinet. Always keep the product in a cool, dry place away from sources of moisture.

As for opened boxes of pancake mix, it is best to transfer the product to an airtight container then store in the pantry. If you made pancake batter from scratch, you can store it in the fridge. Pour the product in an airtight container or a mixing bowl. Seal the container, write the storage date then stick in the fridge. If you used a mixing bowl, just cover it with cling wrap then store in the fridge.

Image used under Creative Commons from timquijano

When kept in the pantry, sealed, unopened packs of pancake mix will keep for 12 months, maybe longer when storage conditions are ideal. On the other hand, opened boxes of pancake mix will keep in the fridge for six months or less. For homemade pancake batter (liquid), this will only keep for a week or less. Dry homemade pancake mix has a long shelf life than the batter, maybe two weeks or more when kept in a sealed container.

Can You Freeze Pancake Batter?

Dry pancake batter doesn’t require freezing at all. As long as the product is kept in a cool, dry place, the pancake mix will last for more than a year. But for homemade pancake batter, you can freeze it but expect clumping or separation between ingredients once the product has been thawed. Just give the defrosted batter a good mix to incorporate all the ingredients prior to cooking.

Summary

Waking up to a pile of pancakes is the best way to start the day! If you love pancakes, then go ahead and store several boxes of pancake mix in the pantry. Can pancake mix go bad? Pancake mix won’t keep forever but it has a long shelf life. You can use up your supply in no time at all!

If you are always spending your time in the kitchen baking up a storm then you’re probably familiar with powdered sugar. Powdered sugar or confectioner’s sugar is a type of finely grounded sugar mixed with cornstarch. The cornstarch gives the sweetener its characteristic fine, powdery consistency. This product is often used as an ingredient to frostings, topping, or cake icing.

If you love baking then you’ll have no trouble using up your supply of powdered sugar. But how do you store this product? What can you do to extend its shelf life? More importantly, can powdered sugar go bad? In today’s post, let’s learn more about powdered sugar’s storage life and basic storage infos:

Image used under Creative Commons from Laurel L. Russwurm

Can Powdered Sugar Go Bad?

Just like common table sugar, powdered sugar has a long shelf life. But that doesn’t mean the product won’t go bad at some point. Powdered sugar will not keep forever but it has an extremely long shelf life. This goes especially if the storage conditions are ideal.

Powdered sugar is quite sensitive to moisture and humidity. If a tub of powdered sugar wasn’t sealed properly, the product will absorb moisture in the air. The excess moisture could cause the fine powdered product to turn clumpy and hard.

Signs that Powdered Sugar has Gone Bad

Powdered sugar will keep indefinitely. However, it will start degrading several months into storage. Improper storage could shorten the storage life of the product. Look for signs of discoloration when checking to see if powdered sugar has gone bad. If the consistency of the product turns clumpy or hard, it’s a sign that the powdered sugar has been exposed to moisture or humidity. But as long as there is no significant change in the powdered sugar’s texture and color, it is still safe to use even when stored for years.

How to Store Powdered Sugar?

The best way to store powdered sugar is to keep it in the pantry at room temperature. For unopened containers of powdered sugar, the product will keep indefinitely in the pantry. For opened containers of powdered sugar, the product will keep indefinitely. However, consume the sugar within 2 years for optimal quality.

Image used under Creative Commons from Stacy Spensley

You can use the powdered sugar’s original packaging or transfer the product in an airtight container. No additional prep is needed for transferring the product in an airtight container. However, make sure the container is completely dry to avoid clumps. Store the product in a cool, dry place away from sources of heat and moisture. Excessive heat could melt the sugars while moisture could cause clumps.

Can You Freeze Powdered Sugar?

You can freeze any type of food and powdered sugar is not an exception.  However, freezing is not necessary because the product will keep indefinitely at room temperature. In addition, freezing is not an ideal storage method; the sugar could turn lumpy once it’s defrosted. But if you must, you can stick the product in the freezer with no additional prep needed.

Summary

The great thing about storing powdered sugar is that you can use the original packaging of the product. Storing is so fuss-free! Can powdered sugar go bad? Powdered sugar won’t keep forever but it should be safe to use even when stored in the pantry for years.

Jello is a lunchbox favorite, and a standard summer snack. But, how long does this treat really last? Can you still eat the remainder of that tray of Jello after the block party? Can Jello go bad, and how should it be stored?

Can Jello Go Bad?

Like almost all foods, Jello can go bad. That wiggly, delicious childhood treat contains enough water to make spoilage inevitable. Typically, prepared Jello will last about seven to ten days in the refrigerator.

Pre-packaged jello cups that are completely sealed will last longer. At room temperature, so long as the package indicates that the Jello cup can be stored out of refrigeration, these snack cups can last for three to four months. If the cups are refrigerated and sealed, they can stay safe to eat beyond a year. No chance of them going bad in a lunch box! Once the Jello cups are opened, their shelf life drops to about a week, as with Jello prepared at home.

Dry, sealed Jello mix is another story altogether. Unopened, dry Jello mix can last indefinitely at room temperature. Once the package has been opened, the mix will only last for three months, so if a recipe only calls for a little bit of Jello mix, you’ve still got some time to use the rest of the package!

Image used under Creative Commons from Steven Depolo

How to Store Jello

Sealed Jello cups can be stored at room temperature, or in the refrigerator. In either case, the cups should be kept out of direct sunlight, and away from heat or water sources. Once Jello cups are opened, they should be covered in plastic wrap, and stored in the refrigerator.

Dry Jello mix should always be stored at room temperature, and kept away from light, heat and moisture. Be sure the package stays tightly sealed, to avoid exposure to moisture. Refrigerating dry mix will not extend the shelf life, and the high humidity could affect the quality of the the powder, even causing spoilage. Therefore, refrigerating packages of Jello mix is strongly discouraged.

Prepared Jello should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, or at the very least covered in plastic wrap to keep out air and moisture.

Can You Freeze Jello?

Freezing Jello is not at all recommended. Freezing will break the bonds that hold the gelatin together, causing the Jello to separate upon thawing. The results are a puddle of chunky goop – not exactly appetizing. If you need to speed up the setting process of homemade jello, try adding water with ice cubes, after you’ve dissolved the mix in boiling water. Alternatively, you could chill the Jello down for about a half hour in the freezer, before transferring back to the refrigerator. If you’re going to put the Jello in the freezer, just be sure that the temperature change isn’t too extreme for the container.

Signs that Jello Has Spoiled

Signs that a packet of powdered Jello has spoiled will be pretty obvious. If moisture has gotten in the packet, the powder will be clumpy, and may have even solidified completely. Jello in this state should not be used.

Prepared Jello will start to break down as it ages, and eventually separate. Once you see pools of liquid for on the surface of the Jello, it has spoiled and should not be consumed. Any sour or “off” taste or smell also indicates spoilage.

Finally, mold or bacterial growth means that it’s time to toss that Jello. These growths will show up as white, or dark spots or patches on the surface of the Jello, and could be harmful to consume. Be sure to check the surface of the Jello carefully, as it really presents the perfect environment for bacterial or mold growth.

Fudge is such a rich and delicious treat, but that richness can be limiting. After all, it’s unlikely you’ll eat the entire container of fudge in one sitting. You may find yourself wondering, “can fudge go bad?” What is the shelf life of fudge, and how should you store it? Read more to find out!

Can Fudge Go Bad?

Like most candies and confections, fudge can go bad. Because there are so many recipes and production methods, it’s difficult to give an exact shelf life. Homemade fudge will most likely have a shorter shelf life than fudge bought from the store. The high amount of sugar and fat in fudge can act as a good preservative, allowing this treat to stay delicious far longer than brownies or other similar baked goods.

While there is no set shelf life for fudge, you can approximate how long fudge will stay fresh when properly stored. In general, fudge that is kept in an airtight container at room temperature will last for one to two weeks. Refrigerating fudge can extend its shelf life to two to three weeks. Freezing fudge will extend its shelf life to around three months, if tightly sealed.

Image used under Creative Commons from Veganbaking.net

How to Store Fudge

Fudge should always be stored in an airtight container, to seal out excess moisture. Sealing the fudge will also protect it from the drying effects of air, as well as potential contaminants. Fudge stored at room temperature should be kept away from light or heat, to prevent rapid spoilage.

When refrigerating fudge, it’s still important to seal the fudge in an airtight container. This will not only help to keep the moisture level steady, but will also prevent other flavors from being absorbed by the fudge. Wrapping the fudge in wax paper before refrigerating it can help to regulate the moisture level.

To store fudge in the freezer, it’s best wrapped tightly in wax paper and then plastic wrap before being placed in a sealable container. If possible, fudge should be frozen in as large a block as possible, as it can dry out more easily when cut into smaller pieces. Fudge freezes quite well, though the texture and flavor of the fudge may change slightly after freezing. Frozen fudge should be thawed overnight in the refrigerator, not at room temperature. Once the fudge thaws, it should be consumed within a week and should not be refrozen, but should be stored in the refrigerator.

Signs Fudge Has Gone Bad

Unlike baked goods, fudge tends not to spoil in the traditional sense. It’s highly unlikely that fudge will mold or rot. Instead, as the fudge ages, the texture and taste will start to degrade. While it may still technically be safe to eat fudge if it exhibits signs of spoilage, it won’t be a pleasant experience!

There are several visual cues that can help determine if fudge has gone bad. If fudge is exposed to the air, the surface will begin to crack and dry out. While a little bit of crumbling around the edges isn’t necessarily harmful, the texture might not be so pleasant. The older the fudge is, the drier it can become. If there are large, deep cracks in the surface of the fudge, it is too old and should not be consumed.

Fudge that has been exposed to too much moisture will spoil more rapidly. While some moisture on the surface isn’t a problem, if the fudge becomes overly mushy or soggy, it should not be consumed. Similarly, any separation or pools of liquid on the surface indicates spoilage.

Finally, if the fudge becomes hard with an oily sheen to the surface, it should not be consumed. While this doesn’t necessarily indicate a food safety issue, the fudge will be quite unpleasant tasting at this point.

If you’re a fan of pancakes or waffles, you’re surely a fan of maple syrup. But even the biggest fan of maple syrup might leave a jar of it stored in the pantry and forget about it for a couple of months. After that, the first question that comes to mind is: “can maple syrup go bad?”. Most people believe it will be fine forever, but the fact is, it can go bad. Fortunately enough, maple syrup going bad is an extremely rare occurrence and unless you let some contaminants into the jar of container with maple syrup, it will be fine for a long time. Let’s talk a little about storing, shelf life and how to tell if maple syrup is bad. Those are the most important pieces of information that every maple syrup lover should know.

Storing maple syrup

Until you open the container/jar, maple syrup should be kept in a cool and dry place. Pantry seems to be the best option, so you won’t have to fit the jar or container into the fridge.

Once you open the syrup, it’s recommended to put it into the fridge, as it doesn’t have any preservatives. One thing to remember – if you’ve bought it in a tin container, it’s recommended to transfer the syrup into a glass jar or an airtight container before putting into the refrigerator. One more thing – always keep the container/jar tightly sealed when not in use, so any contaminants won’t be able to get into the syrup.

(credit: jeffreyw)

If you would like to store the syrup for an extended period of time, putting it into the freezer is the way to go. It won’t freeze, but the cold temperature will keep it safe from any microorganisms that might want to develop in the syrup.

Shelf life of maple syrup

It’s pretty difficult to determine the exact shelf life of maple syrup. Many people say it’s fine forever, while others state that after a little over a year after opening it should be discarded. Because of that, let’s talk about the things that are pretty certain. The thing people agree upon is that maple syrup won’t spoil or go bad when it’s stored properly, so unless you’ll store it without its cap, it will be edible after a year or even a few years. If it tastes fine after that 3 or 5 years is a whole other topic. The best thing you can do is to taste it – you’ll know right away if you want to use that glass of maple syrup that was stored in the cellar for 5 years or you would much rather discard it. It’s that simple.

How to tell if maple syrup has gone bad

If you’re unsure if that jar of maple syrup was stored properly over the years, you should check if it’s not spoiled. The first thing to look for is signs of spoilage like mold, etc. If you can’t find any, try smelling and then trying the syrup. If it smells fine and tastes well, it’s definitely fine.

Summary
As you can see, maple syrup can go bad, but it’s a very rare occurrence. In most cases if it’s stored properly, it will be edible even after a couple of years. The only thing that you can’t be sure of is its taste – it might not be as great after those 3 or 5 years of storing, but it’s definitely edible.

So you need to know whether brown sugar goes bad. If you’ve stored brown sugar for a pretty long period of time (like a couple of years) in the pantry and you’re not sure if you can use it now, that’s a very reasonable question. Fortunately enough, the answer in almost all cases is affirmative – the sugar will be fine and safe tu use. If you would like to learn a little about storing brown sugar and how to tell if it should be discarded, read along!

How to store brown sugar

Storing brown sugar is plain and simple – keep it in a cool, dry place. You can store it in a cupboard in the pantry or somewhere in the kitchen. Just make sure it’s away from any sources of heat (like ovens, radiators) and water. Sugar is capable of absorbing water from its environment and moisture is the reason why sugar hardens into large clumps.

As long as the package of sugar is unopened, you can store it as-is, in its original package. Once the package is opened, it’s a good idea to transfer it into an airtight container or put the package into a plastic sealable bag, so the brown sugar will be sealed tightly. That will help with preventing moisture from reaching the sugar. That will also prevent any bugs from getting into the package. That’s about it when it comes to storing brown sugar – keep it away from water and heat and don’t let any bugs get into the package.

(credit: warrenski)

Dealing with hard brown sugar

If the sugar hardens, it doesn’t mean it’s spoiled – it’s safe tu use. The only issue here is that we usually need only a teaspoon of it, not a large clump. Fortunately, there are a few ways of dealing with hardened brown sugar. If you need the sugar right away, you can break it with a fork or an electric mixer. If it’s too and that doesn’t help much, pot the clump into a bag and smash it against the counter. In most cases that will do the trick. You can also put it into the microwave for a minute or two to soften it. Chances are after microwaving you’ll be able to break it with a fork. If you have a couple of hours before the sugar will be needed, put an apple wedge into the container/bag and leave it there for a couple of hours. That will help as well.

How to tell if brown sugar should be discarded

If you’ve found any dead or alive bugs in the sugar, discard it. If any contaminants have found their way into the package, discard it as well. The sugar is probably fine, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. As I mentioned earlier, large clumps of sugar are quite normal and that’s not a reason to toss the sugar.

Summary

As you should know by now, brown sugar will stay fine for years and chances it will go bad are minimal. If it’s in a sealed container where water and bugs can’t get into, it’s safe and can be kept there for years. If there are any bugs or contaminants in sugar, it should be discarded.

Can chocolate go bad? Chocolate is a great treat for both kids and adults. But do you know how long it can last, or whether it expires at all? If not, this article will give you all the basic information about chocolate that you need.

How long does chocolate last?

Answer to this questions depends on the kind of chocolate. As a rule of thumb you should remember that dark chocolate lasts longer than milk or white one. As long as the package of the chocolate bar is unopened, dark chocolate should be fine for at least two years, white and milk ones for a year. Once the package is opened, dark chocolate should be of great quality for a year, white and milk ones for maybe 8-10 months.

Storage of chocolate is very important when it comes to the shelf life of chocolate. If you’ll store chocolate in a pretty cool environment, like in the pantry, it will definitely last longer. Keeping chocolate in the fridge isn’t recommended, unless you live in a very hot and humid environment. After opening the package, make sure to always keep the chocolate wrapped tightly when it’s stored.

Image used under Creative Commons from PetitPlat – Stephanie Kilgast

When it comes to storing chocolate, there’s one more thing worth mentioning. If it wasn’t stored properly, meaning it was stored in either hot or humid environment, chocolate can develop a white or grey film.That film is called chocolate bloom and it’s not harmful. The film is caused by the separation of either cocoa butter or sugar from the chocolate. This might cause that the taste of the chocolate will be different, but it’s fine to eat.

Does chocolate expire? How to tell if chocolate is bad?

Chocolate does expire – after some time, even if it was stored properly, chocolate will go bad. How to tell if it is bad? In most cases you’ll be able to see white spots or mold growing on the chocolate bar. When that happens, discard the chocolate immediately. If you’ll find any local discolorations, throwing the chocolate to the trash can is the best thing to do as well.

If it looks fine, smells like chocolate and tastes fine, it’s safe to eat it. If the chocolate is after its “Best by” date and you’ll notice that somethings isn’t quite right, discard it. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Of course the “Use by” date only means that the chocolate should be of best quality up until that time and it doesn’t mean that it goes bad the day after. It’s just an indicator, that the quality of the product doesn’t have to be the best after that time and it’s quite normal that certain products lose their taste with time.

Summary
As you can see, the answer to the main question “can chocolate go bad” is affirmative. Chocolate in most cases is fine for a longer period of time than its “Best by” or “Use by” states, but that doesn’t last forever. After some time (even a couple of years if stored in cool environment) it will eventually go bad.