Does Chocolate Go Bad?

As a general rule, chocolate doesn’t really go bad. Since it contains fat, it can theoretically spoil, but cocoa butter (the fat of the cacao bean) is incredibly shelf-stable. Therefore when stored in a cool, dry place, chocolate can last for a decade or longer.

How can you tell if chocolate is bad?

If you’re seeing cracks or dots on the surface of the chocolate, odds are it’s dried out quite a bit since its days as fresh chocolate, and has gone stale. And if there’s mold on the chocolate, throw it away immediately. If it looks like regular chocolate, it will almost definitely taste like chocolate.

Is it OK to eat expired chocolate?

Does chocolate have a use-by date? No, chocolate does not have a use-by date it just has a best before date. This means it is safe to eat after the best before date has passed.

Can you eat chocolate 2 years out of date?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.

Can you eat 10 year old chocolate?

Chocolate, like many other products, degrades in quality over time. A 10-year-old bar won’t be nearly as good as a fresh one. If your chocolate seems to be perfectly okay but is somewhat flavorless, it’s past its prime, and you should toss it out.

Can old chocolate make you sick?

USA Today explains that, while chocolate bars can go bad, it’s unlikely that you’ll get sick from eating last year’s chocolate easter bunny. Generally, when chocolate bars expire, it’s due to additives like peanut butter, dairy, or caramel.

Is chocolate OK to eat if it turns white?

(Spoiler alert, it’s still safe to eat!) This white film does not mean the chocolate is moldy or has gone bad. It’s actually just a scientific process called “chocolate bloom”. There are two types of this bloom: sugar bloom and fat bloom.

Can you get food poisoning from expired chocolate?

USA Today explains that, while chocolate bars can go bad, it’s unlikely that you’ll get sick from eating last year’s chocolate easter bunny. Generally, when chocolate bars expire, it’s due to additives like peanut butter, dairy, or caramel.

Does chocolate grow mold?

Chocolate cannot grow mold. Sugar bloom or fat bloom are the only things you’ll see happening on chocolate. This only happens when the chocolate is improperly tempered or improperly stored. May not look pretty or taste good, but it’s not moldy.

Can you get food poisoning from chocolate?

Theobromine poisoning, also informally called chocolate poisoning or cocoa poisoning, is an overdosage reaction to the xanthine alkaloid theobromine, found in chocolate, tea, cola beverages, and some other foods.

CAN expired chocolate make you sick?

USA Today explains that, while chocolate bars can go bad, it’s unlikely that you’ll get sick from eating last year’s chocolate easter bunny. Generally, when chocolate bars expire, it’s due to additives like peanut butter, dairy, or caramel.

What happens if you eat 20 year old chocolate?

“First of all, the water activity of chocolate is very low, which means microorganisms cannot grow in chocolate. So unless the chocolate was contaminated with microorganisms to begin with there should be no issue with microbial spoilage, even after 20 years.

What is the white film on old chocolate?

That white discoloration that sometimes forms on old chocolate turns the stomachs of chocolate lovers everywhere. For years, researchers have known that the harmless change, known as a fat bloom, is caused by liquid fat such as cocoa butter migrating through the chocolate and crystalizing on the candy’s surface.

Can fungus grow on chocolate?

Chocolate cannot grow mold. Sugar bloom or fat bloom are the only things you’ll see happening on chocolate. This only happens when the chocolate is improperly tempered or improperly stored.

What does mold look like on chocolate?

While bloom and mold look similar, there is definitely a difference between them, and if it is white and fuzzy and growing off and above the surface of the chocolate, then it is mold. If it is just a chalky layer on the surface of the chocolate, then it is probably just bloom.

Is chocolate still good if it turns white?

(Spoiler alert, it’s still safe to eat!) This white film does not mean the chocolate is moldy or has gone bad. It’s actually just a scientific process called “chocolate bloom”. There are two types of this bloom: sugar bloom and fat bloom.

What can I do with expired chocolate?

Any chocolate that has bloomed shall taste a bit off, though it is still not in bad shape. Such chocolate is not ideal for eating as it is, but you can always use it in cooking or baking; you can also make a syrup, chocolate garnish, or cake icing.

Can you get sick from eating moldy chocolate?

The bloom on chocolate will not make you sick or be harmful to you. However, you might notice a slight change in the texture of the chocolate, being a little bit grainer than usual. The chocolate might also lose a little bit of its flavor, but once again, this is fine.

Can bacteria grow in chocolate?

“The good microbes, such as Bifidobacterium and lactic acid bacteria, feast on chocolate,” she said. “When you eat dark chocolate, they grow and ferment it, producing compounds that are anti-inflammatory,” said John Finley, Ph. D.

Can old chocolate cause food poisoning?

Can old chocolate cause food poisoning? Eating chocolate that’s past its expiration date shouldn’t cause food poisoning as long as it’s been stored the right way. That said, when any food is not stored or handled properly, it can increase the likelihood of getting food-borne illness, according to the USDA.

Is it OK to eat chocolate with white spots?

We’ve got good news for you: It’s absolutely still edible, and there’s no need to throw out that perfectly OK chocolate bar. White flecks and spots on your chocolate bar are signs of either a “fat bloom” or a “sugar bloom,” and it’s totally natural.