Does chocolate go bad?

In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “does chocolate go bad” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not the chocolate goes bad. Moreover, we are going to discuss the shelf life of different types of chocolate, the way to spot bad chocolate, and the tips to properly store chocolate.

So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.

Does chocolate go bad?

Yes, like every other food item, chocolate also goes bad after a certain time. The shelf life of different types of chocolate varies. Moreover, the storage conditions in which the chocolate is kept also affect the shelf life of the chocolate. 

Different chocolates have different amounts of cocoa solids and cocoa butter present in them. For instance, dark chocolate contains the highest amount of cocoa solids and its taste profile is inclined more towards the bitter one. On the other hand, the milk chocolate has added sugar and milk along with preservatives, cocoa butter, and cocoa solids in it that gives it a creamy mouthfeel and makes it sweet and high in calories.

What is the shelf life of different types of chocolates?

If we talk specifically about the shelf life of different types of chocolate, then dark chocolate has the longest shelf life because it does not contain any dairy ingredient. An unopened bar of dark chocolate lasts for about 2 years if properly stored while the opened bar of chocolate lasts for about a year. 

White chocolate has milk, sugar, and other additives present in its formulation along with cocoa butter. The shelf life of an unopened bar of white chocolate is about a year while the opened white chocolate stored in an air-tight container lasts for about 6-8 months.  

Milk chocolate has cocoa butter, cocoa solids, ilk, sugar, and other additives present in its formulation and it has the same shelf life as that of white chocolate. Thus, an unopened bar of milk chocolate lasts for about a year while the opened milk chocolate lasts for about 6-8 months when it is properly stored.

Moreover, you should always read the “best by” or “best before” date that is written on the pack of chocolate but this date refers to more of quality rather than safety so the chocolate doesn’t necessarily go bad immediately after the best before date.

You can read how to make chocolate truffles here.

Can I store chocolate in the fridge?

Yes, you can store chocolate in the fridge. In case you want to store your chocolate in the fridge, it is recommended to keep it in an air-tight container or wrapped in a plastic bag so that the moisture present in the fridge won’t mess up with the quality of the chocolate.  Refrigeration prolongs the shelf life of the chocolate to 2-4 months more than its shelf life in the pantry.

How to tell if chocolate is bad?

If you notice some off-flavor or something that does not quite taste like the fresh, creamy chocolate itself then it is the indication that your chocolate has gone bad. Moreover, if you feel a more waxy taste in your chocolate then it means your chocolate is past its prime age. 

If you notice something off about the smell of the chocolate while taking a sniff test then it may be an indicator of the bad chocolate

How to properly store chocolate?

1. Chocolate should always be stored at a low temperature to preserve its freshness and quality for a long time.
2. Chocolate should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. Therefore you can safely store the chocolate in a cool and dry corner of your pantry away from direct sunlight and heat.
3. Open chocolate has to be stored in an air-tight container, plastic zipper bag or it can be stored by wrapping it in plastic wrap. It is necessary to store the chocolate this way so that no air and moisture will find their way to the chocolate and degrade its quality.
4. Another reason for storing the chocolate in air-tight containers is that chocolate can pick up the odor of other foods therefore it is recommended to store it in an air-tight container. Moreover, chocolate should be stored away from strong-smelling foods like fish, onion, garlic, etc.
5. In case you want to store your chocolate in the fridge, it is recommended to keep it in an air-tight container or wrapped in a plastic bag so that the moisture present in the fridge won’t mess up with the quality of the chocolate.

Other FAQs about Chocolate that you may be interested in.

Can you eat dark chocolate on keto?

Can you eat chocolate with CKD?

can you eat baking chocolate without baking it

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “does chocolate go bad” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not the chocolate goes bad. Moreover, we discussed the shelf life of different types of chocolate, the way to spot bad chocolate, and the tips to properly store chocolate.

Citations

https://www.thechocolatejournalist.com/blog/real-expiration-date-chocolate-bars