Chocolate bars - Actual shelflife vs expiration date
The owner of a local chocolate store made me an offer I actually can't refuse: For a price that's really a bargain, I get one bar of every bar chocolate he as on stock - that would be about 40 bars.
I know how to store chocolate for baking (mostly Callebaut callets) and from my own experience I can tell that when stored in an airtight container in a dry, dark and cool place away from things with a strong smell (e.g. coffee) most chocolate can be used even after expiration date (only for private use of course).
But what about chocolate bars - is it the same?
I don't care about blooming, I just don't want the the chocolate goes bad before I can try them.
Best Answer
If we're referring to plain chocolate bars, I say go for it. Plain chocolate (unsweetened, milk, or dark) lasts, if unopened, for years. The most that will happen is that the outside turns whitish in color, but this does not affect taste or quality. If there is any sort of filling, though, I, personally, would not eat it more than a month or two past the expiration date.
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Quick Answer about "Chocolate bars - Actual shelflife vs expiration date"
If unopened and stored properly, dark chocolate lasts 2 years (from the day it was made). If opened, but still stored properly, the rule of thumb is one year. As for milk and white chocolate bars, the time available is cut in half. One year if unopened and stored properly, and 6-8 months if opened and stored properly.Do chocolate bars actually expire?
Pure chocolate can last for two years or more without presenting any acute health risks, but it's likely to change in texture and become less appetizing after about 12 months. Given enough time, some bars could even become so dry and hard as to be inedible (or at least a danger to your teeth).How long are chocolate bars good for after expiration date?
How long can you eat chocolate after the expiration date?ProductTime past 'best before' when chocolate should still taste good!White chocolate2 \u2013 4 months5 \u2013 8 monthsDark chocolate1 year2 \u2014 3 yearsChocolate bar with nuts/fruits2 \u2013 4 months5 \u2013 8 monthsChocolate bar with nougat/caramel/wafer etc2 \u2013 4 months5 \u2013 8 months3 more rows•Dec 18, 2017Can you eat chocolate 2 years out of date?
As bacteria can't live in chocolate, chocolates don't have a use by date. Even if a bloom does appear, or your chocolate has a peculiar smell to it, it will still be safe to consume.Can you eat 1 year expired chocolate?
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.Food Storage: The Actual Shelf Life of Chocolate and Cocoa Powder
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