Does sugar go bad?
The package of sugar cubes I use has an expiry date. Even 2 months after the expiry, I can't taste any difference. Does sugar actually go bad, and should I throw away sugar past its expiry?
Also, if it does go bad, are there any indications that it's gone bad?
(stored at room temp which varies from 20-40C)
Best Answer
If by going bad you mean becoming unsuitable for consumption due to toxicity, sugar, when stored properly, does not go bad for at least a few years. By storing properly I mean storing it in conditions of low humidity, as it absorbs humidity (water) from the air. This property is called hygroscopy.
However, it may lose some of its mechanical properties, form "rocks", or even solidify into your sugar container.
Theoretically very wet sugar can get infested with mold, but I have not seen it happen.
Pictures about "Does sugar go bad?"
How can you tell if your sugar is bad?
What is this? If you notice mold or any other organic growth, or there are bugs, eggs, or any other contaminants in the bag, you should discard the sugar. If your granulated sugar gets hard and lumpy, it means moisture found its way inside the bag ([USU]).Is it OK to eat expired sugar?
Technically, sugar never spoils. While it's recommended that granulated sugar be discarded after two years, chances are it will still serve its baking purpose even beyond that.Will expired sugar make you sick?
Expired sugar won't make you sick, but its quality degrades over time. Even so, consuming hard and dry sugar is still safe.What is the shelf life of sugar?
Shelf life. Commercial sugars (granular, syrup, and honey) have an indefinite shelf life due to their resistance to microbial growth. However, sugars have a best-if-used by date of approximately 2 years for quality concerns.Why Doesn't Sugar Spoil?
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