Last Updated on October 18, 2022

How Can You Tell If Chocolate Has Gone Bad?

If your chocolate smells bad or has any kind of mold, it’s time to throw it in the trash. And if there are any cracks on the surface, chances are that the chocolate is stale and past its prime. Use your best judgment: If it looks and smells like chocolate, it’ll likely taste like chocolate.

Can you get sick from eating old chocolate?

Can old chocolate make you sick? If you feel badly after eating any chocolate product, throw the rest of it out and don’t buy it again. Old chocolate can make you sick if it’s been tainted with something or if one of the added ingredients has expired, such as milk powder.

What does expired chocolate look like?

If you see a white or grey hue to your chocolate then it’s probably had a fat bloom – whilst it takes away from the glossy shine of your chocolate, it doesn’t affect the taste. If your chocolate has a grainy and bitty texture then it will have experienced a sugar bloom.

Can you eat chocolate that has gone bad?

Chocolate can last a long time, she adds, but it often develops a white coating, known as the “bloom”, when it’s exposed to the air. This happens when some of the crystalline fat melts and rises to the top. It’s not mould, she says, and it’s fine to eat.

Is chocolate OK to eat when 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Can you eat chocolate 2 years out of date?

Dark chocolate, with its higher cacao content, can be good to eat for as long as three years past the best before. Due to their high milk contents, milk and white chocolates might not last as long as dark, but their longevity is still nothing to sniff at — you can expect to get another 8 months or so out of it.

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.

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.

What are white spots on chocolate?

If chocolate is heated to a high temperature, the cocoa butter inside melts and separates from the rest of the ingredients. It settles on the surface in a white coating. If there’s excess moisture, it causes the sugar in the chocolate to crystalize, which gives it a white, speckled or spotted coating.

Can I eat 2 year old chocolate?

Opened, it’ll be just fine for another year or two. After that, you may notice a slight difference in taste, but it’s not dangerous to consume.

What does white spots on chocolate mean?

If chocolate is heated to a high temperature, the cocoa butter inside melts and separates from the rest of the ingredients. It settles on the surface in a white coating. If there’s excess moisture, it causes the sugar in the chocolate to crystalize, which gives it a white, speckled or spotted coating.

CAN expired chocolate give you diarrhea?

That being said, if the chocolate has expired for a long time it may start growing harmful bacteria. This harmful bacteria can cause food poisoning which can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and nausea. If you know that your chocolate has expired, it is best to throw it away.

What color is mold in chocolate?

The mold that grows on chocolate is typically a greenish color if any grows at all. This can happen when chocolate is left unsealed in a dark and damp condition. Don’t worry, most chocolates that have a chalky surface are caused by bloom, which is safe for consumption.

What are the light brown spots on chocolate?

Sugar bloom is caused by moisture. Condensation on to the surface of the chocolate or moisture in the chocolate coating causes the sugar to absorb the moisture and dissolve. When the moisture evaporates, the sugar forms larger crystals, leaving a dusty layer.

What is the white stuff 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 you eat 5 year old chocolate?

Your chocolate’s golden years may have passed, but as long as it looks, smells and tastes relatively normal, it’s safe to eat. Chocolate’s shelf life varies based on the type of chocolate, its quality and ingredients and how it’s stored.

Can I eat chocolate that expired 3 months ago?

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.

Is chocolate bad if it turns light brown?

Despite the “mandatory expiration date”, chocolate does not go bad in that it is unsafe to eat. The discoloration or “bloom” you see is nothing more than the cocoa butter which has separated due to either age or improper storage (most likely in a too warm area).

Can you eat 10 year old chocolate?

What is this? 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.