Does Sugar Go Bad? How long does Sugar last?
You found a bag of sugar in the cupboard, but aren't sure if it's still usable.Is sugar bad?
You know that white sugar is supposed to last a long time, but you want to make sure.
Sugar can last decades, but it can go bad if you don't store it properly.
The article is about sugar.There are separate articles on brown sugar and confectioner's sugar.
Unless you have pantry bugs or water that gets to it, sugar doesn't go bad.White sugar stays safe to use for years after the date on the label if you store it properly.
Sugar is a substance that attracts water.The water from thebacteria is transferred to the sugar through the process called Osmosis.
The water is moved from a higher concentration to a lower one by Osmosis.Almost all of the water in thebacteria gets transferred to sugar because there is no water.Thebacteria dies of dehydration at that point.
Store sugar in a dry place away from heat.The safest way to open the package is to put the sugar in the container.
You store sugar the same way you store other dry goods, such as rice.
It's important to keep sugar away from water.It comes in paper bags that don't provide any protection from water, so you have to take care of that on your own.
It's okay to leave white sugar in its original packaging.There aren't any strong smells nearby so make sure water or steam cannot reach it.
Sugar lasts a long time.Sugar doesn't go bad unless water or pantry pests get to it, and the label often includes a best-by date.
If you have a package of sugar sitting in the cabinet, it's most likely fine.It's okay to use your old table salt.
The date on the label is most likely due to legal reasons and because people tend to trust food that comes with a date more.It is not important if the shelf life of your sugar is less than two years.
If there are clumps of sugar, you can break them up with a fork.If you have a lot of small ones, bring out the big guns such as an electric mixer or a food processor.
If you store sugar well, it will last forever, but in some cases you might need to discard it.