How long does unsweetened chocolate last

It should also be considered that the best before date is not an expiration date. Chocolate bars are best eaten as fresh as possible, but they can still be considered edible a few months after the best before date printed on the packaging. Some chocolate professionals also believe that chocolate becomes better as time goes by. Like wine, some new flavors may develop in the chocolate bar with aging. In spite of the unappealing look, chocolate with slightly white or brown splotches on its surface it's still edible.

Sugar bloom is usually a uniform white coat on the chocolate. The sugar has crystallized. It can occur when water gets in contact with the chocolate, or the chocolate bar is placed in the refrigerator, or it has spent some time in a place with high humidity.

Fat bloom is a lighter color spots on the chocolate. The cocoa butter has separated from the cocoa mass and has risen to the surface. It can occur when the chocolate was not well-tempered, or has been subjected to temperature fluctuations. Bloomed chocolate might lose its original texture and flavor, but it's still safe to eat. Not ideal for savoring, it can be used in baking recipes instead.

Consumers can compare their bars with pictures of bloomed chocolate on the Internet and cast any doubt. Sniffing the chocolate is the first step. Does Hand Sanitizer Work? We Ask Hamptons Chicago San Francisco. Connect With Us. Are you sure you want to remove this item from your Recipe Box? Create a Password Forgot your password? Enter your registered email below! To Save to My Recipe Box. Log In Never created a password?

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Sign Up. Please enter a valid email address The emails have been sent. Please consider subscribing to PureWow. The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - store chocolate in a cool, dry area. How long does chocolate last at room temperature? Properly stored, dark, baking, bittersweet and semi-sweet chocolate will generally stay at best quality for about 2 years at normal room temperature. How long does milk chocolate last?

Properly stored, milk chocolate will generally stay at best quality for about 1 year at normal room temperature. Is chocolate safe to use after the "expiration" date on the package? Yes, provided it is properly stored and the package is undamaged - commercially packaged chocolate will typically carry a " Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before", or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the chocolate will remain at peak quality.

Storage time shown is for best quality only - after that, the chocolate's texture, color or flavor may change, but in most cases, it will still be safe to consume if it has been stored properly, the package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage see below.