Does Molasses go bad and how long does it last?
Let me begin by an answer to the first question. Does molasses go bad? The answer, of course, is YES. It is a simple answer, though, however, you will have to remember that there are quite a few things that can affect its lifespan.
A molasses bottle that has not been opened, if kept in a cool and dark area, will last for at minimum one year, and possibly two years. When it is opened, it must be used within 6 months.
Back to the issue, molasses can be described as one of the sweeteners that don’t expire within a short duration. If you store it properly, it stays in a good condition, but it won’t be able to keep its quality for long. It lasts until sometime (if there’s no time limit) after the date it was printed. However, at some point in time, you may find its flavor isn’t good enough to be used.
You could decide to dispose of it since you’re not comfortable with molasses that’s one five years (or even five years) over its expiration date. It’s also an alternative to sugar.
If you’re interested in learning more about molasses, such as the signs that you spot in spoiled molasses, how to approach the date printed on the label, or whether you should refrigerate the molasses in the first place, this post is for you.
Read on if you are interested in knowing more.
You should note, however, that I’m not going to talk about unsulfured or sulfured Molasses in this piece because the majority of molasses sold in stores is unsulfured.
Does Molasses Go bad?
Molasses can be used for many years when stored properly. It’s a sugar-rich product, and it’s devoid of wate, making it challenging for any microbes to thrive and develop in such a setting.
It’s similar to maple syrup or corn syrup, for that matter.
However, that doesn’t mean that it won’t go bad. If, for instance, you do not seal it properly for an extended period of time or accidentally spread the fungus or bacteria, it could cause it to spoil (as it happens in the growth of mold).
Additionally, if it is kept in storage for long enough, its flavor can change and you might have to throw it out to preserve its quality. This isn’t spoilage, strictly speaking; however, the consequences are the same. You will have to throw away the bottle.
Let’s say you’re looking to make use of your molasses but the last time you’ve used it was about a year back. You’ll want to be sure that you are able to use it before you make baked goods sweeter with it, or make use of it in BBQ sauce or gingerbread.
Let’s go for it.
The signs of spoilage
Here’s how to go about if you want to determine if your molasses is safe for consumption.
Find any signs of the presence of mold. If you see visible mold I would suggest that you throw away the bottle. A different option is to get rid of the mold in the event that there’s only the smallest amount and reuse the remainder. If you’re satisfied using this approach, take it.
Try a nice whiff. If it smells unpleasant or an odor that is sour, or has a different smell in some other way, remove it.
Taste it. If the flavor is different from what you would expect it to be, then you need to remove the sweetener. Be aware that there are many kinds of molasses and each one comes with a distinct flavor. If you’re not certain what molasses tastes like the best solution is to consume a small amount immediately after opening the bottle.
If you’re not sure you should ask another person’s opinion. If this doesn’t help, take a stab of caution and assume that the Molasses is not rotten.
Types of Molasses
There are three kinds of molasses:
Light Molasses: It’s sweetest and light-flavored, and surprisingly thin.
Dark molasses: This type is more bitter but sweeter in flavor. It’s also a bit heavier than lighter Molasses. The middle sister of the three, I guess, if you would call it that way.
Blackstrap Molasses: It’s the densest and least sugary of the three. It also has a bitter taste in it, making it not the best choice to dark or light Molasses, in all cases.
Understanding these differences can help you to determine whether your molasses tastes the way it ought to. For instance, if you notice that the light molasses is sour or has bitterness, it’s not good.
How to Use Molasses
If you purchased molasses as a substitute for cakes or pancakes, or you wanted to see what it would taste like.
You’ve used it just only once or twice, but the remainder of the bottle has been in storage since then. It’s not something you want to dispose of the bottle; however, you do not want to keep it for the next two years.
That is why you’re searching for an easy method of using it.
If dark or light molasses are what you have, I have good news for you. You can make use of it to replace sugar or even make brown sugar using it.
You can add 2 to four tablespoons of Molasses to 1 cup of white sugar granulated to create brown sugar. It isn’t necessary to stir the ingredients in all cases. You can mix the ingredients with other ones.
Based on the amount of molasses you use and depending on the amount you add, you’ll have dark or light brown sugar or something between.
If you’re looking to replace sugar with molasses instead, don’t be too enthusiastic and replace everything. Instead, begin by replacing just a third or fourth of the sugar, then observe how it affects the taste.
As time passes, you’ll get an idea of whether substituting sugar with molasses will benefit the recipe or hurt it. After all, molasses isn’t exactly the same as sugar.
How Long does Molasses Last?
Molasses has a shelf life of one to 4 years and is able to be kept for some months after the date on the label.
When you open the container, it will keep its top quality for at least half a year. However, it remains good to use for longer if it is tightly sealed.
The gist is that simple. Let’s talk about the specifics.
Pantry
Molasses (Unopened) :Best Before + 1 Year
Molasses (Opened): 6+ months
After the Opening: There’s no consensus as to the time that molasses can last after the opening.
Some brands suggest you make use of it before the date on the label regardless of the time you opened the bottle. Some recommend that you use it within half a year after having opened the bottle.
Naturally, these entire recommendations take into account what the sweetness of your sweetener has to offer. As I’ve already said, Molasses won’t spoil easily and can last for a long time, if you adhere to good storage practices.
Also, in the case that your molasses has been opened for one year, six months, or even a year and a half, it’s likely to be used again. The most likely thing to occur is that the taste will not be as great as it was the first time you opened the bottle.
If you’re looking for a flavor, try giving your molasses a chance. When you open the bottle for the first time, you’ll discover the freshness of molasses, and you’ll have a baseline for comparing its flavor after a couple of months to judge whether it’s safe to utilize.
Expiration date
Certain brands offer their molasses with an insignificant shelf life of just a year or so while some brands have an extended shelf life of up to four years. This is merely an ideal starting point, though.
The date in the labels is the”best-by” (or the best-if-used-by) date, it isn’t an expiration date. It’s about the quality of food and not safety.
It’s the company’s claim that their molasses will taste good up to that moment. But that doesn’t mean that the product will go bad, or the quality will drastically decrease.
It’s actually difficult to tell how long your molasses is likely to be scrumptious after the date on the label. It could be few months however, most likely it’s likely to last longer than a year.
Also, as long as the molasses you’re using is acceptable to consume (see my previous guidelines) in addition to being comfortable with it, you should be okay.
Does Molasses Need To Be Refrigerated? How Do You Store It?
The molasses should be stored in a dry and cool location, such as the pantry or cupboard within the kitchen. After you have opened it, make sure that it’s kept tightly sealed when it’s not in use.
Molasses can be refrigerated, open or not. However, it’s not always required.
Molasses is viscous when it is at temperatures at room temperature, and more so when stored in the refrigerator. You must have heard of the phrase “slow as molasses”, right? The viscosity of molasses makes refrigerated ones extremely slow to pour and difficult to do. It is a hassle to pour it, to say the least.
This is why I would suggest taking a second look before refrigerating your Molasses.
The good news is that refrigerating helps preserve the quality of molasses for a longer time. If you’re okay with the fact that it’s pouring slowly, it could be something to consider if are aware that your molasses will be in storage for a long time.
Important tip
To decrease the thickness of molasses that is cold you can set it in the refrigerator for a few hours prior to the time you’ll require it or heat it up in a pan filled with warm water. The same method works for peanut butter as well.
Also, ensure that you keep the lip of the bottle free of dirt by wiping it down with a towel before sealing the bottle or jar. Ideally, you’d like to do this every time you make use of molasses, but if life gets the way, you should try to do this at least once each time you notice an accumulation close to the lip.
Can Spoiled Molasses Make You Sick?
There’s no reason to believe that you’ll be sickened by molasses that has been spoiled; however, to ensure your safety you should get rid of it if you are unsure regarding the freshness of it. It’s more convenient to purchase an entire jar of molasses than being concerned about possible side negative effects.
Molasses becomes more difficult to pour into or cook with when it becomes too thick and crystallizes.
How To Store Molasses
The air and heat are the main elements that affect the shelf life of molasses making it easy to maintain its freshness and last for a long duration by keeping it in a dry, cool location.
It should be kept at room temperature, ideally, so an enclosed pantry or cupboard is a good choice to store it. If it is possible, storing your items in the basement, or the cellar is even better because it is far from the humidity and heat which can be a problem in a kitchen.
It is essential to ensure that, once the molasses has been opened the lid is shut with a tight seal after each use. The fastest way to cause your molasses’ spoilage to occur is to store it by removing the lid or leaving it loose.
Does Molasses Need To Be Refrigerated?
As I have already mentioned, it is not necessary to refrigerate molasses in any way, except for unsulfured Molasses. Since it can be fermented and become sour, it must be at a temperature that is cool, unless you are going through it very quickly.
Storing regular molasses in a refrigerator would make it extremely dense as well as difficult to mix. Do you remember the old saying “Slow as molasses in January?” You’ll get the picture.
Can You Freeze Molasses?
There is a way to keep the molasses in a freezer however, it is unlikely to remain solid due to its sugar content. After it has thawed, it will likely become granular or crystallized similar to honey.
Therefore, it’s recommended to keep it in a dark, cool area such as the cellar or pantry. An important baking tip: should your molasses begin to crystallize, it is best to place the bottle into the water in a warm pot (not simmering) and allow it to sit for a bit. It will then return to a lighter consistency.
Wrapping up
Hopefully, my longish article about “Do molasses go bad?” will give you enough information about this matter and if you thinking of using molasses to prepare some kind of dishes, you must have a sound knowledge about how to store it properly. Otherwise, a slight mistake can make you sick.
