I bought a bag of Brussels sprouts that looked fine but smelled exceptionally bad, even for sprouts
I recently bought a pre-packaged bag of brussels sprouts. The sprouts in the bag looked great, green and plump with not a spec of black or brown on them. The next day I cut open the bag and found that the entire bag smelled like a mix between vinegar and over-ripened cantaloupe. If I cut open a single sprout the smell was even stronger.
There was no evidence of spoilage or a mushy texture, all the raw sprouts were firm.
I have eaten and cooked brussels sprouts many many times before so I am familiar with their normal cabbage-like or sulfurous scent. These sprouts were not like that, it was a strong sour smell.
I tried cooking with them and the smell never went away after either boiling or roasting. They also tasted like they smelled.
Does anyone know what could have happened? Was there some kind of chemical involved?
Best Answer
What you are describing is what we call a food that has "soured". (This is what I was taught growing up.) The food looks and feels perfect but has that awful sour odor.
In my experience it is from improper storage, usually from foods being kept too warm or not getting enough air circulation. (Not necessarily by you, but somewhere along the transport chain.)
I have found it in both Brussels sprouts and broccoli. I have even bought broccoli, used some of it, and later taken the rest out only to find it soured. Or bought Brussels sprouts and kept them for a couple of days before using and found that they had soured. This says to me that the souring process had already started.
Additionally, I have had it happen with fresh corn that was left on my porch in warm weather.
I have also found it in bagged salads and spinach. With those, a good washing and fresh air sometimes gets rid of the odor - but not always.
Unfortunately, we don't always know how foods have been handled and stored before we buy them.
I have searched extensively to find out more about this, to no avail. I can find information about how to tell if food is going bad or rotting, but this is a totally different thing. You have no way of knowing that this souring process is happening. That is, until you smell it.
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Are Brussels sprouts supposed to smell bad?
If you suspect your Brussels sprouts have gone bad, follow these instructions to make sure: Bring some sprouts near your nose and feel their smell. If their smell is foul, or if they are smelling like mold, or if their scent is not fresh or earthy, then they are bad.Why do my fresh brussel sprouts smell bad?
Here's why those unpleasant things happen. Like all cruciferous vegetables, Brussels sprouts are high in chemical compounds that, when exposed to heat for a sufficient amount of time, produce hydrogen sulfide (as a general rule, any chemical compound with the word sulfur in it is going to smell very bad).How do you know if Brussels sprouts are bad?
The best way to determine if your brussels sprouts are beyond an eat by date is to follow your nose. An old brussels sprout will smell rather harsh, sort of like old cabbage. The smell gets stronger as it ages as does the taste. Older sprouts lose any sweetness and taste rather sour.What should Brussels sprouts smell like?
I have eaten and cooked brussels sprouts many many times before so I am familiar with their normal cabbage-like or sulfurous scent. These sprouts were not like that, it was a strong sour smell. I tried cooking with them and the smell never went away after either boiling or roasting.ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS | with 6 flavor variations
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