Can tortilla chips go bad?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “can tortilla chips go bad?” by providing answers related to their shelf life, how to tell if they have gone bad and how to store them correctly.
Can tortilla chips go bad?
Yes, tortilla chips can go bad. But tortilla chips have a longer shelf life and they do not perish that easily. The reason is quite simple. Since it does not have high water activity, it is hard for harmful microorganisms to breed on them.
Keep reading this if you are curious to understand how long it lasts and how to store them correctly. Also, some people would be more familiar with nachos. However, they are the same.
How long do tortilla chips last?
You will hardly find an unopened packet of tortilla chips in the pantry past its best-by date. This is probably because we are so excited when we purchase a chips packet from the grocery store, we immediately open it and finish the packet. But maybe you found a packet of tortilla chips in the corner of your shelf unopened because you must have missed out on it. So what do you do next?
Check the best-by or use-by date. This date in no way tells you anything about the safety of the chips packet. It is usually found on packaging to tell you that beyond this, there is a chance that the chips will not taste the same and the quality may deteriorate. If there are any holes or if the packet does not have air in it, there is a chance that the quality of chips is not the same. An unopened packet of tortilla chips will last for over 2-3 months. If it is open, you have around 2-3 weeks until they might go soggy and lose their flavour.
How long do homemade tortilla chips last?
There are a lot of food enthusiasts out there who like to make things at home. If you plan to make a batch of fresh tortilla chips, try to finish them within a week. The reason why homemade tortilla chips will not last long is that it is free of added preservatives and food additives. Food industries add preservatives in chips so that they last for a longer time.
How to tell if tortilla chips have gone bad?
When tortilla chips go bad, you will notice with your first bite that it does not taste the same. The freshness of that particular flavour of chips and the absolute delight in the first bite will just not match that. It will taste flavourless like cardboard. This does not necessarily mean that it is unsafe to eat but you can throw it away because it is not at its peak quality.
If you notice that the smell seems off or you can see that there are white spots on them, it is best to abandon those chips. Chips with mold growing on them are not safe.
Other FAQs about Tortillas which you may be interested in.
Can you eat stale tortilla chips?
Eating stale tortilla chips depends on the condition of the packet. If it is unopened, lying around in your pantry without any holes on it, it happens to be unopened and it is past its best-by date, you can consume it. The only difference is that when you do eat it, it will certainly not taste the same. The quality deteriorates and the chips will probably be tasteless.
On the other hand, if it is left open and it has crossed its expiration date, check if it smells ok. Even if it smells ok, it is risky to eat it because there is a chance that it is unsafe. In this case, you should throw it away.
How do you store them correctly?
The most basic rule to storing tortilla or nacho chips correctly is to store them in a cool and moisture-free area. When you buy a packet of chips at the grocery store, always look out of packets that are filled with air. This will ensure that your packet of chips will last for a longer time.
There aren’t any stringent rules when it comes to storing chips because the moisture content of a packet of tortilla chips is low. This decreases the chances of any growth of microorganisms. Therefore, it will not necessarily go bad.
Ensure that you store the packet of tortilla chips in an airtight container if you haven’t finished it or put a clip on it so that the chips do not go soggy.
In this brief guide, we answered the question “can tortilla chips go bad?” by providing answers related to their shelf life, how to tell if they have gone bad and how to store them correctly.
If you have any comments or questions please let us know.
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