How to tell when broccoli has gone bad?
I often get big jumbo bags of pre-cut Broccoli from Costco with a sell by date that is usually about a week out from my date of purchase. The florets seem perfectly fine on the sell by date, and I've cooked and eaten them as much as a week later.
What signs should I look for suggesting that it's time to throw the rest out?
Best Answer
As many people here have noted, these "sell by" and "best by" dates are not very consistent, accurate or well defined. If your broccoli looks fine and smells fine, chances are it's fine.
Signs of spoilage to look for are: sliminess on the surface, mushy areas in the broccoli flesh, small dark areas dotting the "canopy" or the tops of the florets, or furry moldy areas anywhere on the broccoli.
In addition, there was a recent question here I bought a bag of Brussels sprouts that looked fine but smelled exceptionally bad, even for sprouts where the vegetables looked great but smelled horrible. I have never experienced that myself, but certainly if your broccoli begins to stink, toss it.
If it starts to look limp and wilted but fine otherwise, it's still ok to cook.
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What happens if you eat old broccoli?
Even though broccoli doesn't have an expiration date, you can get sick if you eat it after it goes bad. Spoiled broccoli has an unpleasant taste, so you won't want to eat more than a bite. Consuming a large portion may cause food poisoning with symptoms that include mild cramps, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.Is it OK to eat broccoli that is a little brown?
You have bad broccoli, spoiled broccoli or rotten broccoli. If you notice any brown or black spots on the broccoli sprouts then you should also throw it away.Can you eat broccoli if it turns yellow?
Yellow broccoli is safe to eat, although it may taste more bitter than green broccoli. Cooking broccoli tends to enhance its bitterness. The best bet is to cut off any yellow part and cook or eat the rest raw.How long does broccoli last in the refrigerator?
How Long Does Broccoli Last? Both raw and cooked broccoli will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator when stored properly. Blanched broccoli will last between 10 and 12 months in the freezer.Is Yellow Broccoli Safe To Eat? Here Is My Amateur Honest Opinion
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