© 2019 Streetsmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved

Does Rice Go Bad? Shelf Life of Rice and 4 Tips to Maintain Its Starchy Goodness 2

Does Sugar Go Bad? 5 Tips to Keep Your Sugar at Its Best Quality 8

Does Mustard Go Bad? Shelf Life of Mustard and 4 Tips to Preserve Its Flavor 13

Does Chocolate Go Bad? Shelf Life of Different Types of Chocolate and Tips to Keep It Fresh19

Does Maple Syrup Go Bad? Shelf Life of Maple Syrup and Tips to Keep It Fresh 25

Does Coffee Go Bad? Shelf Life of Coffee and Tips to Keep Your Java Fresh 30

Does Almond Milk Go Bad? Shelf Life, Spoilage Signs, and Proper Storage Tips 36

How Long Does Milk Last? Milk Shelf Life and 7 Tips to Proper Handling 40

How Long Does Wine Last? 7 Signs of Spoilage and Wine Storage Tips 45

Does Peanut Butter Go Bad? Peanut Butter Shelf Life and Storage Tips 51

Does Butter Go Bad? Shelf Life of Butter and Proper Storage 56

Does Vinegar Go Bad? Vinegar’s Shelf Life, Storage, and More 62

How Long Does Cream Cheese Last? 68

Does Champagne Go Bad? Tips on Keeping Your Champagne Bubbly 72

Does Flour Go Bad? Different Types of Flour and Their Shelf Life 77

How Long Does Garlic Last? 3 Signs of Bad Garlic and Tips on Proper Storage 82

Does Coconut Oil Expire? 5 Signs of Bad Coconut Oil 88

Does Beer Go Bad? Tips on Keeping Your Beer Fresh and Crisp 93

How to Tell If Bacon Is Bad: 3 Easy Ways to Find Out 98

When Do Potatoes Go Bad? 103

How Long Does Guacamole Last? Tips for Improving Its Shelf Life 108

Rice—the holy grail of carbohydrates and starchy goodness. Throughout time, the world has shown its love for rice as its second major staple food. And it’s not hard to see why. It can be the perfect sidekick for meals, providing both flavor and sustenance.

Rice is becoming more common nowadays. You just steam it in a rice cooker, toss it with some spices and meat in a pan, and you already have fried rice (chao fan) for a complete meal or a delicious side dish! You can also use it to cook risotto, paella, sushi, or sticky rice desserts.

Uncooked rice is meant to be stored for a longer period, but it’s still best to know how long that “long period” extends, the signs of spoiled raw and cooked rice, and how to prevent rice from turning bad with proper storage.

The Shelf Life of Rice

Uncooked Rice

Uncooked white rice, as well as wild, arborio, jasmine, and basmati rice have an indefinite shelf life when kept in the pantry, the fridge, and the freezer.

Uncooked brown rice doesn’t last as long as the other varieties, though. This healthier rice variety lasts for only 3-6 months in the pantry, 6-12 months in the fridge, and 12-18 months in the freezer.

Cooked Rice

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 3 No type of cooked rice lasts for more than 2 hours in hot, humid conditions, since bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F. Rice, cooked in water, is prone to foodborne illnesses when left out for longer than that.

When kept in the fridge, all types of cooked rice (except brown rice) can last for 4-6 days, and up to 6 months when stored in the freezer. Cooked brown rice, on the other hand, can last only for 3-5 days in the fridge and 2 months in the freezer.

Why Does White Rice Last Longer Than Brown Rice?

White rice has a low moisture content, which provides little chance for bacteria and mold to grow. All its nutrients have also been milled and stripped, so there are only a few organic materials left on white rice that can spoil.

Meanwhile, brown rice undergoes less processing, and fatty acids are still on the remaining layers of brown rice when they’re milled. Once these fats oxidize, your brown rice starts to spoil.

Note: Rice is still safe to consume after the indicated best-by or best-before date, as long as it has been properly stored in the right conditions.

If you discover that your rice has gone rancid, and you need it for a dish you’ve begun cooking, consider these substitutes. You can use quinoa, cauliflower, or bulgur wheat. While they may not have the same taste and texture, they’re the closest and healthier substitutes for rice.

Signs of Spoiled Rice

The biggest threats to the shelf life of uncooked rice are moisture and pests or bugs. Rice is fully loaded with starch, and bacteria and mold love to breed on starches.

If you see a tiny reddish-brown bug called rice weevil roaming around your rice container, discard the rice and disinfect the container. You should not cook moist rice to avoid food poisoning.

Cooked rice has very little shelf life. These are signs that your cooked rice has gone bad: ● Hardness, dryness ● A sour or rancid smell ● Moldy ● Oily and has rancid odor (for brown rice)

Storage Tips to Keep Your Rice Fresh

No one wants to find a canister full of spoiled rice, so let’s avoid that with these storage tips:

1. To maximize the shelf life of cooked rice, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it. You can cook up a large batch, refrigerate it, and then you can reheat some in the microwave with a sprinkling of water, uncovered, for 1 minute or more, until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. ● Put the cooked rice back into the fridge immediately after you’ve taken what you need. 2. Freezing cooked and uncooked rice is also good. When freezing rice, transfer it to freezer bags and remove all air before you seal them. ● For best quality, freeze your rice for no more than three months to avoid freezer burn, which can cause dehydration and affect the quality, taste, and appearance of the rice. 3. Wash rice first before cooking to remove some of the starch and prevent your cooked rice from clumping or getting sticky. 4. Don’t use too much water when cooking rice; the soggier the rice, the faster it will spoil. 5. Place raw rice in an airtight container in a pantry or other dry area at room temperature to keep pests or moisture from reaching it.

Looking for some delicious rice recipes? Here are a few options that you might like. ● Mexican Rice ● Kimchi Fried Rice ● Salmon Fried Rice With Green Onions ● Grilled Shrimp Brown Rice Combo ● Bacon and Eggs Fried Rice ● Ginger Fried Rice Go loco for risotto with these recipes: ● Creamy Seafood Risotto ● Bay Scallop Risotto with Prosciutto ● Chicken Mushroom Risotto

Love all sorts of rice dishes? Check out StreetSmart Kitchen's Tatung Rice Cooker cookbook for more tips and recipes. LEARN MORE

Sugar is one of those kitchen staples that’s always in our inventory. Our baking recipes like desserts and pastries, teas, coffees, and other spreads won’t be as sweet as we like them without this ingredient. It’s also a preserving agent and is commonly used for marmalades, jams, and fruit preserves.

With its exfoliating and moisturizing properties, sugar can also be used for homemade cosmetics like face masks, body scrubs, and moisturizers.

Nutritionists advise us to consume sugar moderately, but you might have more sugar than you use daily for your coffee. As you check on your sugar

Does Sugar Go Bad?

All types of sugar, including granulated sugar, white sugar, brown sugar, raw sugar, and cane sugar, have an indefinite shelf life due to osmosis and the lack of water content.

Sugar is a huge water absorber, and it can suck the water out of the bacteria when they come into contact with each other. This process is called osmosis. And without enough water, bacteria can’t grow and spread. This is why our jams, marmalades, and even chocolates can last for a long time.

However, it’s recommended to use brown and powdered sugar within two years so you can enjoy it at its best. It’s still safe to consume after those

How Long Does Sugar Last at Its Best Quality?

Sugar doesn’t spoil, but it will form hard lumps and clumps. You may notice some changes in the texture, which can make it undesirable to use. It’s still safe to consume, but you might not find it so appealing anymore.

Sugar granules also have the ability to absorb odors from other food nearby, and even if this is not a sign of rancid sugar, you might notice an altered flavor.

Once exposed to moisture, sugar can easily clump. Sugar absorbs liquid fast due to its hygroscopic properties, and when it does, it starts to harden. The good news? You can easily restore sugar it to its granular form. Simply place the lumps in a sealed plastic bag and use a rolling pin. Or grind it using a food processor or a coffee grinder. Remember, clumping is not a sign of sugar gone bad; it’s simply a change in the texture.

Commercially-packaged sugar might also come with best-before, best-by, or sell-by dates, but this doesn’t indicate the shelf life of sugar. It’s still safe to consume sugar past these dates. Also, take note that you won’t find sugar expiration dates on the packaging.

How to Keep Your Sugar Sweet and Smooth

The key to keeping sugar at its best quality and ensuring food safety is to keep it dry, preventing it from lumping or hardening. Just follow these storage pointers: 1. Keep the bag of sugar away from water or anything liquid to avoid absorption of moisture, which leads to lumping. You can store it in a dry place like your pantry, cupboard, or anywhere in the kitchen at room temperature. 2. Storing sugar in the fridge is not a good idea, because it needs an environment with low moisture, and it might absorb odors from other food stored there. 3. Once the packaging is opened, transfer sugar into an airtight container or a heavy-duty plastic bag to keep moisture and bugs from reaching the sugar.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 11 4. Keep sugar away from sources of heat too. The heat may cause condensation. Once those water drops come into contact with sugar, it can clump. 5. Some people place a piece of bread or marshmallow in their jar of brown sugar to keep it from hardening. Just be sure to replace the bread so it won’t get moldy in there.

Looking for some ways to satisfy your sweet tooth? Give these dessert recipes a try. You won’t be disappointed! ● No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups ● Chocolate Lava Cake ● Classic Italian Tiramisu ● Carrot Cake ● Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies ● Cupid’s Ice Cream Sandwiches ● No Bake Chocolate Drops With Easy Caramel Sauce ● Chocolate Hazelnut & Raspberry Toast

In savory dishes, a small dash of sugar can enhance the overall flavor by a lot, especially with green vegetables. Try to add a little sugar in these savory recipes and see how it makes a difference. ● Easy Kale Recipe ● Thai Sous Vide Chicken Thighs with Tomato Salad ● Slow Cooker Borscht Recipe (Shanghai-Style) ● Sous Vide Duck Breast with Braised Leeks & Mashed Potatoes

Mustard, one of the more common condiments, is known for enhancing the taste of our dishes—from the sweet-hot tangy flavors of Dijon mustard to the smooth and sweet honey mustard. Considered one of the essential condiment trios alongside ketchup and mayonnaise, mustard has always been present in many of our dishes and sandwiches, whether for dipping or as a dressing.

Unless you’re a mustard addict who consumes mustard every day, you probably have a partially used jar of mustard sitting in the fridge. Whether it’s been sitting there for a month (or even a year), it’s good to know if mustard goes bad, how long it lasts, and how to extend its shelf life to keep the best quality.

All varieties of mustard are blends of spices and an acid-based liquid like vinegar or lemon juice, so technically, nothing in there goes bad, but mustard can lose its flavor over time. Because of its simple ingredient list, though, mustard will only lose its kick rather than turn rancid.

You should look out for these signs of an old mustard: ● Texture – Mustard will dry out or separate over time, but that’s completely normal. You can fix it by simply stirring it. However, if you find a dry lump at the bottom of your container, it’s best to throw the mustard out. Your mustard won’t spoil, but this is a sign that the liquid is slowly evaporating and will dry out soon. ● Smell – The aroma of mustard also fades over time. If you detect a bad or sour odor, it could be a sign that your mustard ready to be tossed out.

Note: Some mustards have a short best-by or best-before date, which indicates that the change in flavor after those dates will happen more quickly than with other types of mustards.

How Long Does Mustard Last? The shelf life of mustard varies depending on the type, storage conditions, and packaging.

Brand and Storage Condition ● American mustard – This popular, mild mustard can last for one to two years beyond the best-by date when unopened and kept in the pantry at room temperature. After opening, it can last for a year in the fridge. ● Dijon mustard – Because of its higher proportion of vinegar, an unopened Dijon mustard can last for two to three years in the pantry at room temperature and for one year after being opened in the fridge. ● Chinese mustard – This can last for one to two years when left unopened in the pantry. After opening, it can last for a year in the fridge.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 15 ● Honey mustard – This honey-and-mustard blend can keep for two to three years in the pantry when unopened, and one to two years after opening if stored in the fridge. ● Homemade mustard – Expect it to last only for a day at room temperature. However, it can last from a week up to one year in the fridge, depending on the packaging and ingredients used. ● Dry mustard – This can last for one to two years at room temperature and an indefinite time in the fridge.

Packaging

Mustard stored in a glass jar can last for two years, and 18 months when stored in plastic squeeze bottles. Mustards in sachets can stay fresh for only about six months.

How to Keep Your Mustard Flavorful

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 16 Mustard is best used when it gives that kick of spicy and tangy flavors, so keep these storage methods in mind to preserve its flavor: 1. Use clean utensils when scooping mustard from its container. Double-dipping can increase bacterial population in your mustard and may cause food-borne illnesses in the future. 2. To enjoy the flavor of your mustard, it’s best to consume before the best-by date. After the indicated date, you can expect it to lose its flavor. 3. Most mustards don’t have to be refrigerated after being opened, but doing so can extend its shelf life for a longer period of time and preserve its flavor. Refrigerated mustards also dry out slower than those stored in the pantry. However, Dijon and other wine-based mustards, as well as vinegar-based mustards (like yellow mustards) should always be refrigerated after use to keep the aroma and flavor from fading. 4. If you don’t like your mustard cold, and you use it often enough to not need to refrigerate it to preserve it as long as possible, you can simply keep your bottle of mustard on the shelf, or in any cool, dry place at room temperature.

With its long shelf life, you can stock up on as much mustard as you want. Just be sure to store it properly to enjoy its unique flavor! Looking to whip your mustard into some tasty salads and savory meals? Try out these StreetSmart recipes: ● Tuna Deviled Eggs ● Massaged Kale Salad with Pine Nuts & Dried Cranberries ● Seafood Quinoa Salad ● Crab Stuffed Mushrooms (Gluten Free) ● Dijon & Herb Rubbed Rib Roast with Chimichurri Sauce ● Mediterranean Lentil Salad

Everybody loves chocolate. It’s our all-time favorite sweet treat and one of the most common ingredients in desserts. The “food of the gods” is also known for its abundance of antioxidants that decrease the risk of heart disease, slow aging and the effects of stress, and increase mental acuity, among tons of other benefits.

There’s a scientific reason why we get hooked on nibbling chocolates. Chocolate contains tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin, the happiness hormone. It also has phenylethylamine, also known as chocolate amphetamine, which causes feelings of excitement and attraction. No wonder chocolate is a popular Valentine’s gift!

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 19 If you find a forgotten chocolate bar in your pantry or have decided to look for that box of chocolate from last Valentine’s Day, how would you know if your newly-uncovered chocolate is still good? Read on to find out the shelf life of different types of chocolate, the signs of spoiled chocolate, and how you can store your stockpiles of chocolate in the future!

How Long Does Chocolate Last?

Chocolate can last for a lengthy period of time because of the flavonoids found in it that keep fats from oxidizing. There’s also little to no water activity in chocolate, so there’s very little opportunity for bacteria to grow. The shelf life of chocolate depends on the type and storage conditions. ● Dark chocolate lasts longer than other chocolates since it has less dairy and higher cocoa content. A dark chocolate can last for about five years if stored at room temperature, preferably between 60°and 65° F (16° and 18° C).

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 20 ● Bittersweet, semi-sweet, and baking chocolate can last for two years, whether at normal room temperature or in the fridge. ● Milk chocolate will remain at its best quality for one year when stored at normal room temperature or in the fridge. ● Belgian chocolate can last one to two weeks past the printed best-by date if you keep it in the pantry. When stored in the fridge, it can last two to four weeks, and two to four months in the freezer. ● Keep your treasured handmade chocolates and chocolate truffles in the fridge. They’ll last two to three months there or in the freezer. At room temperature, they’d last only two to three weeks.

How to Tell if Chocolate Has Gone Bad

You can tell if your chocolate has spoiled when there are significant changes in the taste, odor, and appearance.

Most chocolates contain cocoa butter, which easily absorbs the flavors and odors of anything around it. Some chocolates also start to taste waxy after the best-by date. If you’re dubious about that chocolate from Valentine’s or your birthday, do a sniff and taste test. If it tastes off and has a rancid odor, swallow your regret and discard the chocolate.

If the chocolate has been exposed to warm temperature or has been transferred from cold to hot temperature too quickly, the sugar in it will crystallize. This is called sugar bloom. It causes a grainy texture. It’s still safe to consume, but the taste and texture are not the same as before.

White spots or grayish film on the surface is normal for chocolates. It’s called a fat bloom. The cocoa butter fats in chocolate separate from the cocoa mass and rise to the surface. This only affects the appearance, so your chocolate is still safe to eat!

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 21 Best-before dates only indicate when it’s recommended to eat or use the chocolate at its best flavor and quality. You can still consume chocolate past these dates, as long as the taste and odor haven’t changed.

How to Properly Store Chocolate

It’s a bummer to eat stale chocolate. If you want to enjoy the creamy, cocoa goodness of chocolates, always follow these storage pointers: ● The best place to keep your chocolates is in the pantry. The room temperature is perfect and it’s away from sunlight. This prevents oxidation and changes in color and flavor. ● It’s not ideal to refrigerate chocolate; condensation will form on the chocolate once you take it out of the fridge and expose it to room temperature. However, if you live in a place with high temperature and high humidity, you can refrigerate your chocolates, as long as they’re stored in heavy-duty plastic bags and closed tightly. ● Chocolate has a low melting point—meaning it melts fast—so it shouldn’t be left in warm places for too long.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 22 ● You can freeze chocolate: place it in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bags. It’s also ideal to set your freezer temperature at 17° – 22°C (62.6° – 71.6°F). ● If you can’t consume chocolate in one go, always return it to the original packaging. Most chocolate comes in aluminum packaging, which helps to enclose the melted butter inside and to reduce air contact.

With its long shelf life, you can stock up on as much chocolate as you want—for sudden cravings, movie dates, or for cooking choco-overloaded recipes like these: ● Chocolate Banana Smoothie with Goji Berries ● Chocolate Hazelnut & Raspberry Toast ● Chocolate Lava Cake ● Blueberry Chocolate Cake ● No-Bake Chocolate Drops With Easy Caramel Sauce ● Triple Nut & Chocolate Energy Bars

Remember, always store chocolate in a cool, dry place and at room temperature so you can enjoy it for future nibbles and dishes! Also, no matter how good it feels to indulge, always consume in moderation, because chocolate has high sugar content, and it’s not a good idea to eat too much of it, especially milk chocolate and white chocolate. Dark chocolate has slightly less sugar comparatively, so you might want to choose that to satisfy your cravings.

Maple syrup is famous as the perfect companion for pancakes, waffles, and toast. It’s also commonly used as an additional sweetener for granolas and other oatmeal dishes.

And if you’re out of honey, maple syrup is your perfect alternative. It has a thinner texture and a “woodsy” flavor, while honey has a hint of light, almost-floral flavor.

It’s also a popular alternative for vegans, who don’t eat honey because it’s technically an animal product, coming from bees. Pure maple syrup is made

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 25 from the concentrated sap of sugar maple trees. Sugarmakers boil the maple sap into syrup. This is crucial for its shelf life. Underboiled syrup quickly spoils, while syrup boiled too long will crystallize. The perfect boil produces the shelf-stable, delicious syrup we all love.

Pancake Syrups vs. Real Maple Syrup

We all grew up with certain brands of “table syrup” we can’t do without for breakfast or dessert. Those artificial “maple-flavored” pancake syrups are made from unhealthy ingredients. Real, pure maple syrup is made directly from the concentrated sap of sugar maple trees.

If you want real maple, examine the ingredients indicated on the label or packaging. Real maple syrup has only one ingredient, while pancake syrup can have more than 10, including corn syrup, caramel coloring, and sodium hexametaphosphate for texture.

Does Maple Syrup Go Bad?

Mold can develop on maple syrup when opened. However, it’s not a sign of spoilage. The mold we commonly find in our maple syrups are falsur mold, and while they’re unpleasant to the eyes, they’re not actually harmful. Pure maple syrup crystallizes when it gets old, but that’s not a sign of spoilage either.

The long shelf life of maple syrup is due to its high sugar content. Sugar acts as the syrup’s primary preserving agent by reducing its water content, thereby preventing microbial growth.

What to Do If You See Mold on Your Maple Syrup

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 27 When you see mold on the surface of your syrup, you can simply skim the top surface and boil the syrup. After boiling, cool the syrup slightly and skim the surface again.

You can also boil crystallized syrup until it returns to its original state. However, the consistency and taste of the syrup won’t be the same as before.

How Long Does Maple Syrup Last? When Opened

Opened maple syrup that has been continuously refrigerated will last for about one year after opening.

You can also freeze your syrup to extend its shelf life for an indefinite time. Store the syrup in an airtight container with at least a half-inch headspace to leave room for expansion.

When Unopened

Unopened maple syrup can last for an indefinite time when stored in your fridge. The cold temperature prevents mold from growing in your maple syrup.

If stored at room temperature, an unopened container of maple syrup can also last for an indefinite time, as long it’s: ● In a cool, dry place ● Tightly covered at all times ● In packaging that remains undamaged

With its indefinite shelf life, you can stock up on as much maple syrup as you need! Just make sure to store it properly. Crazy for maple syrup? These recipes with a touch of maple syrup will surely satisfy your sweet cravings! ● Avocado Toast with Bacon and Maple Syrup ● Strawberry Cucumber Salad ● Massaged Kale Salad with Pine Nuts & Dried Cranberries You can also try these recipes using maple syrup as your honey substitute. ● Honey Cashew Squares ● Honey Lemon Chicken ● Sriracha, Tomato, and Honey Shrimp ● Sous Vide Butternut Squash Salad ● Double Strawberry Toast

A morning cup of coffee is a perfect kick-start for the day, the fresh aroma and caffeine giving you, the coffee lovers, a surge of energy. As a cooking ingredient, it gives dishes a hint of sweet and bitter flavors.

Coffee has loads of health benefits too. It’s a rich source of antioxidants that fight free radicals in your body, which helps to diminish skin aging and is even thought to prevent certain cancers!

If you’re an avid coffee drinker or planning to use coffee in your recipes, it’s best to know how long it can stay fresh and how to store it properly to keep the best flavor.

How Long Before Coffee Goes Bad?

The shelf life of your coffee depends on its preparation and storage condition.

When Unopened or Sealed ● Ground coffee lasts for 3-5 months when kept in a pantry at room temperature, but it can last 1-2 years in the freezer. ● Whole-bean coffee lasts for 6-9 months in the pantry and up to 2-3 years in the freezer. ● Instant coffee lasts for 2-20 years in the pantry, depending on the packaging. Most instant coffee packets are made with an aluminum layer. This provides an opaque cover that keeps out moisture and heat. Mold spores have no means to get in, so the coffee’s shelf life is prolonged. In the freezer, sealed instant coffee packets will keep indefinitely.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 31 When Opened ● Freshly ground coffee lasts 3- 5 months in the pantry or freezer. ● Fresh beans can last 6 months in the pantry and up to 2 years in the freezer. ● The shelf life of opened instant coffee in the pantry and freezer can be the same with unopened, depending on the packaging. Tightly re-sealed ziplock or rolled-up-and-clipped foil packs can keep freshness intact for a long time.

If you get a lot of coffee from friends and family who feed your addiction, freezing coffee beans is an excellent way to preserve its freshness. Coffee experts experimented with how freezing might affect the body and flavor of beans. The results: no difference at all.

After Brewing

Whether you bought your beans whole or already ground, it’s best to drink your freshly-brewed coffee within 1-2 hours. Beyond that, it begins to lose its freshness and flavor.

Signs of Bad Coffee

Coffee doesn’t spoil or develop mold, so it’s hard to tell if your coffee has gone bad based on its appearance. Coffee is a dry product, so there’s little moisture to allow mold to grow.

To check if your coffee is still fresh, trust your nose and taste buds. Bad coffee has lost its pleasant aroma, and the flavor is stale when you drink it. Oxidation and How It Affects Your Coffee

After brewing, your coffee is prone to oxidation. When oxygen comes into contact with the organic matter of coffee—the proteins and lipids—it will cause a change in the coffee’s molecular structure. It’s the same process that turns apple brown, but in this case, the result is staleness.

The Optimal Ways to Store Coffee

Keep your coffee at its best by storing it properly. Here are some coffee storage pointers to remember:

● Don’t reheat your brewed coffee! Use a thermos to store unused brewed coffee to keep it warm and preserve the flavor for a few hours. ● Store your ground coffee or coffee beans in an airtight, opaque container and in a dry place. This prevents photodegradation, where light and air alter the organic composition of your coffee, making it stale.

Ways to Use Extra Coffee Nearing Its Expiration Date

Have some nearly expired coffee grounds or beans that you don’t want to brew anymore? Try these suggestions: ● Make a coffee soap or scrub using old coffee grounds. Mix 1/2 cup coffee grounds with 1/2 cup coconut sugar, 1/4 cup coconut oil, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon to make a full-body scrub. The

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 34 antioxidants in coffee have anti-aging benefits, and caffeine can also reduce cellulite! ● Blend brewed coffee with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, milk, and ice to whip up a coffee milkshake. ● Pour brewed coffee in ice cube trays, freeze, and enjoy your coffee ice cubes! ● Give your dessert recipes a kick of mocha flavor by adding coffee to your recipes. Or make StreetSmart’s Classic Italian Tiramisu!

Almond milk is a tasty and nutritious non-dairy milk, loaded with nutrients and health benefits for you, which include: ● Lowering the risk of heart disease with its high vitamin E content ● Strengthening bones, with 45-51% of the RDI for calcium

No animal products are used in almond milk, making it perfect if you’re on a vegan diet, allergic to dairy products, or lactose intolerant.

Planning to buy or make your own almond milk? Know how long you can store it, as well as signs of spoilage and proper storage.

Almond Milk and the Ultra-Pasteurization Process

The almond milk you see in supermarkets are ultra-pasteurized. In this process, the milk is heated to 280°F for a few seconds, and good and bad bacteria are killed, prolonging shelf life.

Shelf-stable almond milk is also stored in a Tetra Pak carton to maintain room temperature while unopened.

Shelf Life of Almond Milk

The shelf life of almond milk depends on how you store it.

When Opened

After opening, you should consume refrigerated almond milk within 7 days, while shelf-stable almond milk should be consumed within 7-10 days. Some almond milk, like Blue Diamond’s Almond Breeze, do not contain preservatives, so keep them refrigerated after opening to prevent spoilage.

When Unopened

When stored at room temperature, an unopened carton of shelf-stable almond milk can last for 3-4 weeks after the use-by date. Its prolonged shelf life is due to its sterilization process. The product is heated and /or dried to destroy foodborne microorganisms that cause spoilage. It also uses aseptic carton packaging that is designed to prolong the shelf life of the almond milk for an extended period.

On the other hand, refrigerated, unopened regular almond milk can last for a week. The sterilization process is not as strong as a shelf-stable almond milk’s, so it lasts a couple weeks shorter.

Homemade Almond Milk

The shelf life of your almond milk depends on the almonds you use. Your homemade almond milk can last for 3-5 days when properly stored in an airtight pitcher in your fridge.

Signs of Almond Milk Spoilage

You can still drink or use almond milk after the use-by date. However, you should be wary of these signs of a spoiled nut milk: ● Sour taste ● Thicker texture ● Starts to clump ● Smells off ● Unusually bloated carton ● Color Changes Is Curdling A Sign of Spoiled Almond Milk?

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 38 Not automatically. Curdling is actually normal for any almond milk! Lecithin, a stabilizer used to emulsify almond milk, makes the curdling of shelf-stable milk slower.

Effect of Spoiled Almond Milk

Just as with any other milk, you are prone to food poisoning if you drink spoiled almond milk. It may have fewer bacteria than dairy milk, but bacterial spores can still grow when the container is left open. This is why you should refrigerate almond milk and observe hygienic handling.

How to Properly Store Almond Milk

To keep your almond milk fresh and prolong its shelf life, keep these reminders in mind: ● Store opened, shelf-stable almond milk in the main body or in the back of the fridge, where the temperature is coldest and most stable, rather than on the back of the door. ● Store unopened, shelf-stable almond milk in your cabinet, unrefrigerated, until the best-by date on the milk carton. Refrigerate it as soon as you open it to prevent spoilage. ● For homemade almond milk, rinse almonds very well. Store them in an airtight container to prevent bacteria from creeping in. ● Always return your almond milk carton or container to the fridge after using it.

It’s best to consume your stock of almond milk as soon as you purchase to prevent it spoiling. That would be a shame because almond milk is so good!

Need some almond milk recipes? Try my Chocolate Banana Smoothie with Goji Berries. You can also use almond milk as an alternative to coconut milk when making a creamy mushroom pasta or in a Thai red curry dish. It has the same creamy texture but with a hint of nutty flavor.

Milk completes our day. A bowl of cereal with milk for breakfast starts off a day perfectly. It’s also the main star of creamy dishes and desserts. For delicious and nutritious dishes, milk is a perfect ingredient!

Most dairy products last for only 1-4 weeks. Unless you refrigerate it, you should consume milk immediately, because it lasts for only a couple of hours at room temperature.

Before you plan your meals and grocery shopping, it’s best to know how long you can store milk in your fridge. You should also watch out for milk spoilage signs and learn how you can prolong its shelf life.

How Long Does Milk Last?

How long is milk good for? Once opened, all milk can last for 4-7 days after the milk expiration date, refrigerated. If unopened, the shelf life differs, depending on the type of milk: ● Whole milk: 5-7 days. ● Reduced-fat milk and skim milk: 7 days. ● Non-fat milk and lactose-free milk: 7-10 days.

Can You Still Drink Milk After Its Sell-by Date?

Yes, you can still drink milk after the sell-by date. That date only indicates that stores should already have sold the milk by then. When you drink the milk a few days after its sell-by date, and it tastes sweeter than before, you have one more day before it turns sour. This sweetness is a subtle aftertaste from the transfer of molecular energy during the chemical reaction in milk. It’s still safe as long as it hasn’t gone sour yet.

Why Does Milk Spoil?

Every time you open a milk container, air allows the growth of lactobacillus bacteria, which convert the lactose in the milk to lactic acid, turning milk sour after the use-by date or best-by date.

Milk proteins are broken by bacteria that enter the milk through the air, causing milk spoilage. Some molds can use the lactic acid to break the protein or attack the fat content. The bacterial growth causes the sour milk aroma from bad milk.

Signs of Milk Spoilage

Not all bacteria are killed during the pasteurization process. Your milk is not 100% safe from bacterial growth. Keep an eye out for these signs of milk spoilage:

● Discoloration – off-white or yellowish tinge ● Thick, lumpy texture ● Sour smell

Your senses are the most reliable instruments to tell if your milk has gone bad. Do a simple sniff test!

Tips on Handling Milk

To prolong milk’s shelf life, if you won’t use it immediately, keep these points in mind for food safety:

1. Put your milk in your fridge as soon as possible after buying. 2. Store milk in the main body of the fridge. On the fridge door, warm air enters every time you open it, causing the bacteria to grow more rapidly in the milk. 3. Keep your fridge’s temperature below 40°F. 4. Always keep the milk carton closed tightly to prevent contamination and absorption of other bad smells from the fridge. 5. It’s recommended to add a teaspoon of baking soda or a pinch of salt to your milk when you open it. This neutralizes the lactic acid content and keeps the milk fresh for a week more after its expiration date. 6. Do not return leftover milk to the carton or container.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 43 7. Freeze milk to prolong its shelf life for four more months. However, the quality of thawed milk isn’t as good as fresh milk. You get fatty chunks and watery parts, which are not appetizing at all. But you can use thawed milk for cooking or baking, or make milk ice cubes for your smoothies.

To freeze milk, use a large aluminum or freezer-safe plastic container and leave 1.5 inches of headspace. Milk expands in the freezer. You can also use glass containers, but please note that glass containers will crack or shatter if you don’t leave enough room for the milk to expand.

Ways to Use Milk Before It Goes Bad

● Drink milk as your protein boost in the mornings! Add it to your coffee or make smoothies with it. ● Cook your oatmeal in milk instead of water for more protein, calcium, and vitamin D. ● Make hot chocolate. Heat the milk and add some cocoa. ● Use it as an ingredient for your next meal—a soup, pasta, pie, or some creamy desserts.

Need some inspiration? Try out these street-smart simple recipes! ● Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe ● Chicken Primavera Crescent Bake ● Turkey Pot Pie

“I enjoy cooking with wine, sometimes I even put it in the food…” – Julia Child

Wine has the ability to enhance, intensify and accent the flavor and aroma of food. No, it does not mask the flavor of your dish but rather fortify it.

You can use red wine in this Beef Broccoli with Mushroom recipe or this Traditional Irish Shepherd’s Pie. White wine enhances the flavor of many seafood dishes like these Cedar Plank Salmon and Super Easy Mussel Recipes. To get the best result for your dish, only use wines that you would enjoy drinking.

Red wine goes well with this Beef Wellington recipe while white wine and seafood with cream and butter sauces like this Cajun Seafood Pasta make a perfect match. You might have a bottle of wine from last year’s holiday, received one as a gift some time ago or planning to store some bottles for future occasions. Knowing how long wine can last is important. Wine will show changes in appearance, smell and taste over time as it goes bad.

Shelf Life of Wine

Many have a misconception that wine can last forever. While undeniably some types of wine can last for years and even decades, not all wines are created equal.

Every winery makes wine in different ways. Some wines are meant to age well while others are made to be used sooner. More than 90% of the wines in the market or the budget shelf wines are not meant for storage for extended amounts of time.

An unopened bottle of wine will have a long shelf life. Red wine typically last for three to five years while white wine can last up to two years. Most wines have a recommended cellaring time on their label. This will determine your wine’s aging potential. Wine will start to go bad after the indicated time.

It’s a different story once the bottle of wine is opened. Exposure to air will make the wine lose its aroma and flavor quickly.

Opened white wine will last for three to five days if kept in the fridge and sealed with a cork while red wine can last for three to five days if kept in a cool dark place and sealed with a cork.

All varieties of wine will eventually go bad, some wines are just designed to last longer than other brands.

Signs of Bad Wine

Over time and if not stored properly, wine will show these seven signs of spoilage. 1. If your red wine looks dull and brownish, or your white wine has turned a deep yellow or straw color then it has already gone bad. This change in color is often caused by exposure to air or oxidation. 2. Your wine has already gone bad if there are fizz and bubbles. Still, wine should not have these bubbles commonly found in sparkling wines or champagne. 3. The cork is pushed out of the bottle. This means your wine has overheated.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 47 4. If your wine smells like moldy cardboard, wet dog or damp and musty, then it’s already spoiled. This is a sign of your wine being “corked” or when wood fungi from the cork come into contact with the wine. 5. Wine tastes and smells like vinegar. Red and white wines past their prime will become vinegary and should be discarded. 6. Your wine can also taste flat or stale once it goes bad. It lacks its crisp fruity flavor and become lifeless. 7. Wine tastes like soda. If your wine tastes fizzy then it has already gone off.

Though spoiled wine won’t make you sick, drinking bad wine can still give an unpleasant or burning sensation to some people.

Make sure you practice proper wine storage to maximize the quality of your wine and make sure it won’t go bad before you’re ready to drink it.

Here are some tips on how to properly store your wine:

● Keep your wine in a cool, dark place with an ideal temperature of 45°F to 65°F (since not everyone has a wine cellar). Look for a location with constant temperature and away from light source. ● Don’t store your wine in your kitchen, where hot temperatures can affect your wines. Heat is the number one enemy of wines. ● Don’t store your wine with anything that has a strong smell. The smell will pass through the cork and taint the aroma and flavor of your wine. ● For long-term storage, store your bottles of wine horizontally. This will keep the cork from drying out. ● Keep your wine in the fridge, ONLY if you’re consuming it in a few days. Refrigerator storage will dry out corks over time, which will then develop tiny holes allowing air to seep into the bottle. This applies to unopened bottles of wine. ● DON’T store your wine in the refrigerator if you’re planning to save it for a later date. The common refrigerator maintains a 35°F to 38°F temperature. Wine needs a temperature of 45°F to 65°F for long-term storage. ● Once opened, cork the bottle tightly and store upright. Don’t store your opened bottle of wine on its side which will increase the area exposed to oxygen. You can use a wine bottle stopper in case you misplace the original cork. ● Keep the opened bottle of white wine in the fridge and red wine in a cool dark place.

If consumed in a moderate amount, wine helps boost your immune system, reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease and gives you more amazing health benefits. At StreetSmart Kitchen, we cook with wine all the time.

Here are some cooking inspirations for you:

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 49 ● Roasted Lemon Herb Whole Chicken with Carrots and Onion ● Red Wine Beef Broccoli With Mushroom ● Shanghai-Style Braised Pork Belly with Hard-Boiled Eggs ● Blueberry Cream Wine Slush

Let’s face it. We all love peanut butter. It’s the spread of all spreads! It can be combined with jelly, jam, bananas, apples and so many others. You can even enjoy peanut butter as is, all you need is a spoon. There’s no doubt about the love we have for peanut butter. Mouth-watering peanut butter and jelly recipe like these will surely bring back childhood memories.

We spend almost $800 million on peanut butter each year. According to the National Peanut Board, 94% of Americans have at least one jar of peanut butter at home.

Peanut butter comes in different varieties– regular smooth and creamy, the regular crunchy variety, natural peanut butter and of course the homemade ones. Natural peanut butter is made with at least 90% peanuts with no

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 51 artificial sweeteners, coloring, and preservatives while regular peanut butter contains hydrogenated oils, sugar, salt, stabilizers and other ingredients.

You probably have your own jar sitting in your pantry or planning to store an additional jar or two. Unfortunately, like many food products out there, peanut butter can go bad too. To fully enjoy peanut butter, it’s important to know how long your jar can last and how you can properly store your peanut butter.

Shelf Life of Peanut Butter

Peanut butter has best before or best by dates on its label. This does not indicate the expiration of it. Your peanut butter will still be good and safe past the printed date, provided it is stored properly and consumed within its shelf life. Due to its high fat and oil content, peanut butter has a relatively long shelf life. How long is the shelf life of peanut butter?

An unopened jar of regular peanut butter can last for six to nine months in the pantry and does not need to be refrigerated. Unopened crunchy peanut butter will last for a year in the pantry or in the fridge.

If opened, a jar of regular peanut butter will last for three months in the pantry and four months in the refrigerator. An opened jar of crunchy peanut butter will last for four months in the pantry and six to eight months if refrigerated.

Shelf Life of Natural and Homemade Peanut Butter

Natural peanut butter will last for up to three months if unopened and kept in the pantry. If refrigerated, unopened natural peanut butter will last up to six months.

Once opened, natural peanut butter must be stored in the fridge where it can last up to six months. Likewise, homemade peanut butter must be refrigerated. Refrigerated homemade peanut butter can last for three to six months.

Past its shelf life, peanut butter will start to go bad and show signs of rancidity.

Signs of Spoiled Peanut Butter

You can easily distinguish bad peanut butter from a good jar. Fresh peanut butter is creamy or crunchy depending on the variety with a pleasant and rich nutty flavor and aroma. Your peanut butter will show the following five signs if it has already gone bad.

1. The texture and consistency change from soft and creamy to hard and dry. Peanut butter can dry out from oil separation. You can stir and bring back its creaminess or follow the bonus tip

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 53 below to avoid oil separation. Completely dry and hard peanut butter, with the oil being gone, is already spoiled. 2. The color becomes dark brown from the usual light tan. 3. The pleasant aroma disappears. The peanut butter smells rancid, sour or rotten. 4. It has a sour taste instead of the natural nutty taste. 5. The peanut butter has mold. Spoilage and contamination from unclean utensils can cause the formation of mold.

It is important to take note of these signs to avoid consumption of bad peanut butter. If accidentally consumed, spoiled peanut butter can cause food poisoning.

How to Properly Store Peanut Butter We all want to enjoy your peanut butter as long as you can. Knowing how to properly store your peanut butter will help maximize its shelf life. Here are some tips on how to store your peanut butter.

● Store your peanut butter in a cool, dark, place, preferably in the pantry. It helps maintain its consistency and keeps it spreadable. ● Always close the jar of peanut butter with its lid to avoid exposure to air. Oxygen is the number one instigator of spoilage. ● For a longer shelf life, keep your peanut butter in the fridge. This will make the peanut butter hard to spread but it will help prevent flavor loss and slow down oil separation. ● For natural and homemade peanut butter which don’t use stabilizers or hydrogenated oil, you should keep it in the fridge to maximize its shelf life. ● Bonus tip for peanut butter lovers – Store your peanut butter upside down. You must have already noticed, the oil has a tendency to settle on the top when the jar is stored upright. And you’ll end up stirring your peanut butter each time you uncap. By storing it upside down, the oils will evenly distribute all the way through, no stirring needed every single time.

Aside from the classic PB&J, there are a lot of recipes you can try with your peanut butter. Here are a few recipes for you to try. ● Crepes with Peanut Butter and Banana ● Easy Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies ● No Bake Ice Cream Sandwich Cake ● Shanghai Cold Noodles with Peanut Butter Sauce

Creamy, smooth and flavorful, butter is a very popular cooking and baking ingredient that you probably use on a daily basis. Does butter go bad? Yes. But unlike other dairy products, butter has a longer shelf life because of its high-fat content and relatively low water content.

Butter undergoes a very long preparation process. Gallons of milk are churned until butterfat separates from buttermilk. It takes 10 to 11 gallons of milk to make a single pound of butter.

You might ask, “What about margarine and ghee?”

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 56 Margarine is a non-dairy product. Butter uses animal fats while margarine uses vegetable fats. Studies have found that margarine contains a high amount of trans fat, making margarine an unhealthy choice.

Ghee is clarified butter cooked longer. Ghee is made by cooking butter until the water is removed and the milk solids are caramelized and then strained out. Since milk solids are removed from ghee, it has little to no lactose, making it a perfect alternative for those with lactose intolerance. Butter has a slightly savory to neutral flavor and pale yellow color while ghee has a nuttier flavor and richer golden color.

If you want to stock up on butter and ghee, it is important to take note of their shelf life. Both can go bad over time. Here are the signs of bad butter and ghee and how you can properly store them.

Many people make their own ghee from high-quality unsalted butter. You can find butter in the refrigerated section in grocery stores and supermarkets while ghee is displayed in the baking section or with the cooking oils. Both have a sell-by date on their packages. This date doesn’t determine when the product expires, it is to give the store owners an idea until when they can display their products. Butter and ghee have different water content, therefore they have a different shelf life as well.

Butter ● Past the printed date, unopened regular butter can last for at least a month in the refrigerator and for six to nine months in the freezer. ● Opened regular butter can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator. If kept in a sealed container, you can keep your butter at room temperature for two weeks. ● Aside from the regular variety, there is also salted butter and flavored butter. Salt added to the butter is a preservative, giving it a longer shelf life. If refrigerated, salted butter can last up to five months while frozen salted butter can last for a year. ● Flavored butter, also called compound butter is just butter mixed with herbs, spices, and other flavorings. Compound butter can last for up to five days in the refrigerator and six months if kept frozen.

Ghee

Since ghee doesn’t contain water it has a longer shelf life. If stored properly and kept frozen ghee can even last indefinitely. ● Unopened jars of ghee stored at room temperature will maintain the best quality nine months after the sell-by date. If kept in the refrigerator, unopened jars of ghee will not spoil.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 58 ● Opened jars of ghee will maintain the best quality up to three months if kept in the pantry. You can refrigerate an opened jar of ghee for up to one year.

The quality of butter and ghee will start to decline past their sell-by date. If not stored properly butter and ghee will spoil. Unsanitary practices can also make them go bad faster. Be mindful of the signs of spoiled butter and ghee.

Signs of Bad Butter and Ghee

The following are signs that your butter has already gone bad:

● Discoloration is a sign of rancid butter. Good butter has an even yellow color from inside out. Slice a small portion of your butter, if the inside looks brighter or lighter, then it has gone bad. ● Black spots on butter are signs of mold formation. Butter with mold should be discarded. If your butter smells bad, decomposing, cheesy or sour then it has already gone bad. Spoiled butter is too soft– mushy or stringy when touched.

Your ghee has already gone bad if it shows the following signs of spoilage: ● Mold formation indicates bacterial contamination and can make ghee go bad. ● If your ghee turned white instead of its natural yellow color then it is already rancid. Your ghee has already gone bad if it smells sour or like burnt popcorn.

Spoilage of butter and ghee can be both microbial and chemical. Microbial spoilage is caused by bacterial contamination from the use of unclean utensils and containers. This results in the formation of mold. Chemical spoilage or oxidation causes butter and ghee to go rancid. Exposure to air and light speeds up oxidation.

Effects of Spoiled Butter and Ghee

Butter and ghee both have fat which can go rancid over time. If accidentally consumed, spoiled butter or ghee can trigger food poisoning. Symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and dehydration. Depending on the seriousness of the condition, symptoms may last for a few hours, days or weeks.

Tips for Proper Storage

Healthy and sanitary storage and cooking practices will keep you safe from possible health risks and food poisoning. Follow the following tips on how to properly store butter and ghee.

Proper Storage of Butter

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 60 1. Keep your butter refrigerated. 2. To maximize shelf life, avoid the butter compartment on the refrigerator door where the temperature is warmer. If you don’t use your butter often enough, it is best to store them in the main body of your refrigerator. 3. Keep your butter in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. 4. If freezing butter, wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap or use a heavy-duty freezer bag. By doing so, your butter will not pick up odors and flavors from other food products in your freezer.

Proper Storage of Ghee

1. Store ghee at room temperature. Avoid taking your ghee in and out of the fridge to prevent condensation which can cause unwanted moisture. 2. Store your ghee in a cool dark place, preferably in a cabinet to avoid exposure to direct sunlight. 3. Keep your ghee refrigerated only if you’re not going to consume it for a long time. Keep the lid of the jar closed at all times to avoid exposure to air and moisture.

Got some butter in your fridge? Butter works well as a flavor enhancer, making it a very versatile ingredient for both cooking dishes and baking. Try making this blueberry chocolate cake or some baked chicken wings. Butter or ghee? It really depends on your preference, taking note of the flavor differences between the two. It is best to go with what the recipes require. If you’re lactose intolerant, then ghee is the perfect alternative for you. Ghee’s higher smoking point makes it better than butter (and most oils) for cooking.

Vinegar usually does not expire and can last indefinitely. However, if not stored properly, vinegar will decline in quality and lose its acidity and flavor.

In many home kitchens, vinegar is one of the most useful condiment. If you like the sour flavor of vinegar, it could be a great dipping sauce or you can use it to enhance the flavor of your dishes. In some cases, the acidity of vinegar can take the edge off of some bitter ingredients and balance the overall taste of your dish.

Aside from its ability to enhance flavor, vinegar can also alter the color and texture of foods. The aromatic and sharp sour, sometimes a little sweet or salty flavor is perfect for a salad dressing, a sauce, or a marinade.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 62 The most common types of vinegar used in the United States are distilled white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and rice vinegar.

Distilled white vinegar is known for its bold flavor and is good for pickling. The subtle fruity flavor of apple cider vinegar is best for dressings, marinades, and for cooking bone broth. The rich flavor of red wine vinegar is also great for marinades. Balsamic vinegar brings out the best in savory recipes and desserts. Rice vinegar is less harsh than white vinegar and famously used for sushi, salad dressings, and stir-fries.

You see, the wide selection of vinegar types can give you the opportunity to experiment with different recipes. However, the quality of vinegar deteriorates over time, so you might wonder – how long can vinegar keep its quality?

Shelf Life of Vinegar

As mentioned, vinegar does not expire. Like other condiments, vinegar may have a best before date but not an expiration date. This means vinegar is still safe and usable after the best before date has lapsed.

According to the Vinegar Institute, vinegar is self-preserving and does not need refrigeration because of its acid nature. It can keep for a long time. However, if not stored properly, the quality of vinegar will decline. The acetic acid in vinegar can be affected by water absorbed from the air. This will affect the flavor of your vinegar. Let’s take a look at the shelf life of different kinds of vinegar:

FOR BEST SAFE AND QUALITY USABLE

Distilled White Vinegar indefinitely indefinitely

Apple Cider Vinegar 5 years indefinitely

Red & White Wine 2 years indefinitely Vinegar

Balsamic Vinegar 2 to 3 years indefinitely

Rice Vinegar 2 years indefinitely

Changes in Vinegar While vinegar’s shelf life is almost indefinite, exposure to air and direct sunlight will affect its quality over time. Improperly stored vinegar will show changes in appearance and taste. Although these changes are normal and harmless, it’s important to be aware of them.

Change in Color

The color of vinegar depends on the type. It is available in white, pale yellow, red and black. If your vinegar’s color changes, then it has lost its best quality.

Development of Haze and Sediment

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 65 If your vinegar has stuff floating on it or sediments, then it is not on its peak quality anymore. Cloudy vinegar can be filtered to get rid of sediments.

The Mother of Vinegar

The mother of vinegar is the slimy jelly-like substance that forms commonly in apple cider vinegar and other vinegar variety. While it’s not exactly appealing in appearance, the mother is completely harmless. You can easily filter it out using a coffee filter.

Change in Taste

Water absorbed from the air can weaken the acidity of the vinegar. It will lose its flavor if the acidity declines. Though it’s safe to use, vinegar with an off taste will affect your recipes.

Vinegar Storage Tips

Proper food storage usually helps maximize the quality of the foods. It’s the same with vinegar. Here are four tips on how to properly store vinegar for an extended period:

● Keep your unopened bottle of vinegar away from direct sunlight. ● Store your vinegar in a cool dark place such as your pantry or a kitchen cabinet. ● Once opened, keep your vinegar in its original container. ● Put back the lid or cap of your vinegar immediately after using.

With its indefinite shelf life, feel free to stock on different types of vinegar for all your cooking needs. In need of some inspirations? Check out these recipes below: Strawberry Cucumber Salad | Slow Cooker French Onion Soup | Chimichurri Sauce Recipe | Hot and Sour Soup | One-Pan Balsamic Chicken with Roasted

Cream cheese is considered one of the most versatile soft cheese. You can buy it in all groceries and supermarkets nationwide, available in different types and textures– regular, reduced-fat, whipped and flavored. One of the most popular brands is Philadelphia. Opened cream cheese can last for two weeks while an unopened one can last up to two months.

Before you purchase cream cheese, it’s best to know how much you are going to use, so you don’t buy too much of it. It’s also a good idea to know the signs of spoiled cream cheese and how to properly store it for a longer shelf life.

Shelf Life of Cream Cheese

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 68 Like other dairy products available on the market, cream cheese has a best before or sell-by date instead of an expiration date. This gives the store owners an idea of until when they can sell the cheese. After hitting the best-by date, the cheese will still be usable and safe until some time, as specified below.

Unopened Cream Cheese

● Unopened cream cheese in plastic containers and flavored cream cheese can last for three to four weeks in the refrigerator after the sell-by date. ● Reduced-fat cream cheese can last for two to three weeks in the refrigerator. ● A foil-wrapped block can last up to two months past the best-by date when kept frozen.

Opened Cream Cheese

Once opened, all types of cream cheese– in plastic containers or foil-wrapped, can last for one to two weeks in the refrigerator. In the freezer, opened foil-wrapped one can last for two months.

The shelf life of cream cheese will quickly decline if not stored properly. Spoiled cream cheese, like other spoiled food products, can result in foodborne illnesses if accidentally consumed.

Signs of Spoiled Cream Cheese

Using your senses will be the best technique to check if your cream cheese has gone bad, so you can minimize the health risks. Here are a few signs of spoiled cream cheese.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 69 ● Discoloration. Cream cheese should have a white or cream color. If your cheese has turned yellow or you notice patches of discoloration– blue or green mold formation– then it has already gone bad. ● Dry or slimy texture. Cream cheese should be smooth or creamy. If your cheese feels dry, grainy, chalky or has a slimy texture, then it is already spoiled. ● Unpleasant smell. Cream cheese should smell mild, light and pleasant. Bad one smells pungent, sour and rotten.

How to Properly Store Cream Cheese

Proper storage of cream cheese is important to make sure it lasts longer and prevent bacteria contamination. Here are some tips on how to properly store your cream cheese and cream cheese frosting for best quality.

How to Store Cream Cheese ● When grocery shopping, grab all dairy products including cream cheese last before going to the cashier to check out. ● Don’t leave cream cheese at room temperature for more than two hours. ● Keep cream cheese refrigerated. Store in refrigerator with a temperature of 40º F or lower. ● To maintain its consistency, do not freeze cream cheese packed in plastic containers which are softer than foil-wrapped blocks. ● Keep the original packaging of foil-wrapped cream cheese refrigerated if still unopened. Once opened, transfer the cream cheese to airtight containers, freezer bag or wraps.

A note on freezing cream cheese: You might have tried freezing your cream cheese before and noticed it had become crumbly after you thawed it. This is because cream cheese has a

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 70 high moisture content, it is sensitive to the formation and melting of ice crystals. Freezing then thawing it separates its water content from the cheese curds, making it crumbly.

Frozen cream cheese can not only become crumbly but also lose some of its flavors when thawed. However, you can still use thawed cream cheese for casseroles. And remember, always use clean utensils for your cream cheese to avoid contamination and mold formation.

How to Store Cream Cheese Frosting

● Keep prepared cream cheese frosting in an airtight container. Use a sealable plastic food bowl or freezer bags. ● Refrigerate for up to three days. Do not freeze: this will ruin the consistency of the cream cheese icing. ● Your icing will get stiff after refrigeration. You can use a whisk or electric beater to soften it up before using. ● If you are storing desserts like cakes or cupcakes with cream cheese icing, use an airtight container to keep the frosting fresh.

Looking for more cream cheese recipes? Here are a couple street-smart ideas that you might like. 1. Best Carrot Cake Recipe // 2. Creamed Mushroom Toast // 3. No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups // 4. Chicken Primavera // 5. Brownie Cheesecake // 6. Beef Sticky Buns // 7. Spinach Artichoke Dip Stuffed Bread // 8. Double Strawberry Toast // 9. Stuffed Jalapeños

The streaming silvery bubbles coupled with the fruity flavor and aroma gives champagne the perfect buzz and spark we all love. Popping a bottle of champagne is a beloved tradition for any celebration — weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, company parties and more. And even an ordinary dinner can become special with a glass of sparkling, fizzy and bubbly champagne.

If you are confused about the difference between champagne and sparkling wine, let’s clear that up first. All champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is champagne. Sparkling wine can only be called champagne if it comes from Champagne, a region in France. Anything made outside the region is what we call sparkling wine.

Since champagne can go bad, it is important to have proper knowledge of its shelf life and the signs of bad champagne.

Champagnes don’t have any best-before date or expiration. To determine the shelf life of your champagne, you must first know if what you have is vintage or non-vintage. The difference between vintage and non-vintage champagne is the grapes used in production. Vintage champagne is made with only one year’s harvest while non-vintage champagne is made with a blend of different years’ harvest.

Look at the front label of the bottle to determine what kind of champagne you have. Vintage ones display a year on the label, while non-vintage champagnes don’t have a year on their label.

Unopened non-vintage champagne can last up to three to four years while an unopened vintage champagne will last longer for five to ten years at room temperature.

Once opened, a bottle of champagne, vintage or non-vintage, will only last up to three to five days.

Champagne is a living product, they change over time. But unlike red wine, champagne does not get better as it ages. The quality of champagne will just decline over time.

Signs of Bad Champagne

The color of good champagne can be light gold or pale yellow. A good champagne will smell of fresh fruit and subtle minerality. Good champagne will taste bready with crisp apple and melon flavor and gets fruitier depending on the amount of sugar present.

You can tell a champagne has gone bad with its appearance, taste, and smell. Here are the signs on bad champagne to look out for:

1. Overdue champagne is flat, and opened champagne is notorious for losing its fizz and bubbles fast. Exposure to heat, air, and sunlight instigate oxidation of champagnes.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 74 2. If you’re champagne changes color and turned deep yellow or gold, chances are it’s already bad. 3. Improperly stored champagne can get contaminated and clumps may start to form in the liquid, which makes it spoiled. 4. Spoiled champagne will taste and smell sour.

What happens if you drink bad champagne? Don’t worry, you won’t get sick. In fact, some people enjoy drinking flat champagne. You can even make vinegar from your leftover flat champagne.

Proper Storage of Champagne

It is important to know how you can properly store champagne to maximize its shelf life and prevent it from going bad. Here are some tips on champagne storage.

If you’re planning to store champagne for a later date… ● Store your champagne in a cool dark place, preferably in the pantry or cellar. ● Champagne should be stored at a constant temperature of 40 – 60 degrees Fahrenheit away from direct sunlight. ● Lay the bottle of champagne on its side. This is to make sure the cork will always be moist. Dry cork will develop tiny holes in time that can let the air in the bottle.

For short-term storage… ● If you’re planning to enjoy your drink within three to four days, you can store your champagne in the fridge. Bubbles will change due to lack of humidity if stored in the refrigerator for too long. ● After opening the bottle, seal the bottle with plastic wrap or a champagne bottle stopper and store it in the fridge. The pressure from carbonation inside the bottle might cause the original cork to pop out.

Champagne is the perfect drink for any celebration. Keeping a bottle or two on hand for special occasions is a good idea. Take note of this mandatory information before buying a bottle of champagne.

You can also use champagne in cooking! Use the fizz and sparkle of champagne to your advantage and try these easy but fancy sparkling wine recipes.

Flour is definitely one of the most all-rounder ingredients. You can use flour in many recipes for the day, from a breakfast pizza to a hearty cauliflower gratin, to a classic shepherd’s pie for dinner! With its many uses, it is normal to stock up on flour.

Does flour go bad? You ask. Yes. Just like any cooking ingredients, flour can go bad if not stored properly.

Since flour has already become a regular in every pantry, there are even alternative flours for those with gluten sensitivity. Flour is used in many of your

For that, we have our ancient ancestors to thank. They are responsible for discovering the process of grinding grains and seeds to turn them into fine powder back in 6000 BC. Different recipes might require different types of flour. If stocking up, it’s best to be mindful of the shelf life of different kinds of flour. Knowing how long flours can last and if they’ve already gone bad is part of healthy and safe cooking.

Different Types of Flour and Their Shelf Life

Because the demand for specific types of flour has emerged over time, many kinds of flour are now available in the market. They usually have a best-by or best-before date on the packaging. This indicates when the flour’s peak quality will start to decline.

However, flour will still be good after the best-before date provided if it is stored properly. Here’s a table of commonly used flours and their shelf life past the best-by date.

STORED IN A STORED IN A TYPES OF FLOUR PANTRY FRIDGE / FREEZER

All-Purpose Flour 1 year 2 years

Bread Flour 6 months 1 year

Gluten-Free or Alternative Flours 3 months 6 months – 1 year (banana, buckwheat, coconut, nut, oat, rice, etc.)

Oat Flour 3 months 6 months

Self-Rising Flour 4 to 6 months 1 year

White Whole Wheat Flour 3 months 6 months

Whole-Wheat Flour 1 – 3 months 6 months – 1 year

How to Tell If Flour is Bad

Exposure to air and moisture cause the natural fats in the flour to oxidize which will decline in quality over time.

You can easily know flour has gone rancid from its smell. Most flour has almost no odor while some nut and alternative flours have a sweet or nutty smell. Spoiled flour smells musty, sour and sometimes like rubber or Play-Doh.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 79 Aside from spoiled flour, you should also watch out for flour beetles also known as weevils. Improper storage can cause the presence of these bugs. Weevils are completely harmless to the human body. Kill the bugs immediately to prevent discoloration and foul odor in the flour. Freezing your flour for a few days or a week will kill these bugs. After the bugs are killed, the flour is still safe and usable. Follow these steps to tell if your flour has weevils: 1. Fill a clear glass with your flour. 2. Press the flour together until you get a flat surface slightly below the glass rim. 3. Leave your glass in a warm bright area for a few hours. You will know there are weevils if the smooth surface of the flour is broken by a larvae or bug.

To get rid of weevils, sift your flour thoroughly to separate the weevils from your flour. It’s understandable that you might be grossed out with the idea of bugs residing on your flour. You can toss the flour if killing the weevils won’t be enough to assure you. Or do your best to avoid infestation in the first place.

Spoiled flour can give your baked goodies a strange taste and texture. Worst case scenario, foods made with spoiled flour can make you sick. Rancid flour contains mycotoxins. Too much intake of mycotoxins can cause health complications in the long run such as cancer, kidney damage, reproductive disorders and suppression of the immune system.

How to Properly Store Flour

Follow these four tips to maintain the quality of your flour.

1. Once you open the original flour packaging, transfer the flour to an airtight glass container or a resealable freezer bag. 2. Keep your flour dry. Moisture is the worst enemy of flour. 3. Store your flour in a cool, dark place, preferably the pantry, refrigerator or freezer. Freezing your flour will help maintain its quality for a longer time.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 80 4. Use a heavy-duty freezer bag when storing flour in the refrigerator or freezer to prevent flour from absorbing moisture and odors and flavors from other foods and products.

From the simply powdered grains and seeds ages ago, we now have a wide variety of flour for everyone. Flour is now even used outside the kitchen– hair and skin care, cleaning, natural ant repellents and more! Check out these surprising uses of flour around your home.

Garlic is one of the most popular must-haves in every household– unless you’re in the royal household of the UK. Queen Elizabeth II can’t stand garlic in anything. Used in many recipes – meals, bread, dressings, and also known for its ability to reduce cholesterol and combat heart disease, garlic is proven worthy of a place in your kitchen. So, how long does garlic last?

The shelf life of garlic depends on how and where you store it. Properly stored fresh and whole garlic can last up to five months in the pantry and 12 months in the freezer.

Garlic is a member of the amaryllis family with other cooking regulars onions, leeks, shallots, and chives. Aside from cooking, garlic also has many amazing

Storing garlic is very common, so you should know the signs and effects of spoiled garlic and how you can maximize the shelf life of garlic.

How Long Does Garlic Last?

How Long Does Fresh Whole Bulb of Garlic Last?

Like many vegetables you buy, fresh and raw garlic does not have any best-by date or expiration date. The shelf life of garlic can go as long as a year or as short as a few days depending on how you store it.

A properly stored whole bulb of garlic can last up to three to five months in the pantry. Once the bulb is broken, you can expect the quality of your garlic to decrease rather quickly. Individual unpeeled garlic cloves can last for seven to ten days in the pantry.

How Long Does Processed Garlic Last?

Peeled and chopped garlic usually stay good for about a week in the refrigerator and 10 to 12 months in the freezer, same with frozen cooked garlic. Processed garlic available on the market, like frozen garlic cloves, dried garlic, powdered garlic, minced and those in jars usually have an expiration date on their label. Most of the time these best-by dates are accurate and should be followed. Typically, a prepared jar of chopped or minced garlic can last up to three months in the fridge.

However, commercial jarred garlic usually have preservatives such as citric acid to give it a longer shelf life. That’s why we encourage you to try making your own minced garlic at home and soak it in extra virgin olive oil, which can last for 2-3 weeks in your fridge.

Signs of Bad Garlic

Know if your garlic has gone bad with three easy steps – look, smell and feel.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 84 1. Look Spoiled garlic forms brown spots on the cloves and turns from the usual white to a more yellow or brown color. Another thing is the green roots forming in the center of the clove. These are new sprouts forming. Though not harmful these roots taste extremely bitter and should be removed before cooking.

2. Smell Garlic has its own universally known scent– spicy, pungent and mellow. If your garlic starts to lose its distinct smell or have a sour scent, chances are it has already gone bad. It is best to get rid of that garlic bulb to avoid contaminating your other bulbs.

3. Feel Good garlic should feel firm to the touch. Garlic becomes soft over time. If your garlic already feels mushy then better disregard that one already.

Side Effects of Bad Garlic

Consuming bad garlic can cause botulism. Foodborne botulism is extremely rare but can be serious and potentially fatal.

Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria that causes botulism, forms normally inactive spores that can be found in low-acid vegetables like garlic. In certain conditions, these spores may become active. Low acidity plus lack of oxygen, moisture, and temperature can cause the development of botulism. Garlic has low acidity and if not stored properly can develop active toxic spores.

Botulism affects the nerves connected to the eyes, mouth, face, and throat. Symptoms of botulism caused by garlic include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, double vision and difficulty in swallowing and breathing. If you consume spoiled garlic and experience these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.

How to Properly Store Garlic

Follow the following tips to maximize the quality and shelf life of your garlic bulbs: 1. Store in a dry and dark place. Light and moisture can cause the growth of mold in garlic. Store your garlic in room temperature. At high temperature, the quality and shelf life of your garlic will decline fast. Refrigerating your garlic gives it a longer shelf life but doing so can cause sprouts to develop quickly. 2. Use containers that allow good air circulation. Store your garlic in a wire-mesh basket, a paper bag, or a garlic keeper with holes. 3. Freezing can alter the texture and flavor of garlic but can give it a much longer shelf life. If freezing, make sure you wrap the whole bulb unpeeled garlic in a plastic wrapper or aluminum foil.

The following tips would maximize the shelf life of your peeled garlic: 1. Spread your peeled garlic cloves on a baking sheet and freeze them for 20 minutes. After that, transfer the garlic cloves to an airtight container or freezer bag and keep frozen. 2. Store minced and chopped garlic in an airtight container or jar and cover with olive oil. Keep in refrigerator. 3. You can also keep chopped and minced garlic frozen if you don’t want to use oil. Keep chopped and minced garlic in an airtight container or wrap up tightly with freezer plastic wrap.

There’s no doubt garlic is one of the most popular vegetables and spice among households. Garlic is acknowledged for its many proven health benefits. It also has a long shelf life making it more ideal for stocking up. Looking for more recipe ideas? Try these street-smart recipes with your garlic. ● Garlic Pull-Apart Bread ● Zesty Garlic Almond Green Beans ● Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Crispy Garlic And Almond ● Garlic Herb Hasselback Potatoes

A wide range of cooking oils with different uses is available in the largest supermarkets or even the smallest grocery stores near you. Among these cooking oils, coconut oil is known to have the longest shelf life. Does coconut oil expire? Yes. There are two varieties of coconut oil, refined and virgin coconut oil (unrefined). Refined coconut oil can last up to 18 months after production while virgin coconut oil can last up to five years.

Refined coconut oils are processed from copra or the kernel of coconut while virgin coconut oils are extracted from raw coconut meat. Refined coconut oil has a neutral scent and flavor. Virgin coconut oil retains its natural coconut scent and flavor.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 88 Studies show that the type of saturated fat found in coconut oil makes it a healthier choice than other cooking oils. Refined coconut oil has a smoking point of 440°F which makes it a lot more ideal for cooking. Virgin coconut oil has a relatively low smoking point of 350°F. You might not want to use it for stir-fry, but it’s great for tossing up a salad dressing or for baking.

Aside from the mentioned cooking merits coconut oil has – long shelf life, healthy saturated fat and high smoking point, coconut oil has many other uses too. Coconut oil is also a good product for skin and hair care, gentle enough for babies and puppies, and effective for dry skin problems of men and women. With all these great benefits, it’s really ideal to have some at home. You can even buy coconut oil in bulk sizes. So how long can you keep your coconut oil? What are the signs that your coconut oil is already bad?

Five Signs of Bad Coconut Oil

It’s easy to know if your oil has gone bad through appearance, smell and taste. Here are five signs of rancid coconut oil:

#1 Yellow in Color

Good liquid coconut oil should have a clear color and milky white when it solidifies. If it has turned yellow chances are it has already expired.

#2 Blotchy or Chunky

Good coconut oil has a smooth consistency. Your oil is spoiled when it starts to get chunky or if unknown substances are floating on the oil.

#3 Black Oil Spots

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 89 Small patches or dark oil spots in your oil container can be mold developing. You’ll never know how bad the mold has already contaminated your oil so it’s better to get rid of the oil already.

#4 Strong Bitter or Sour Scent

Good refined coconut oils have a neutral scent while virgin coconut oils have a slightly sweet coconut scent, if it smells sour or bitter then it’s bad.

#5 Sour Taste

Good refined coconut oils have a neutral flavor while virgin coconut oils retain its natural coconut flavor. Bad coconut oil often develops a sour taste.

Side Effects of Bad Coconut Oil

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 90 The after effects of rancid coconut oil will not make you immediately ill, not in the short term at least. The side effects of bad coconut oil will be more apparent in the long run.

Harmful free radicals produced by spoiled oil can damage DNA cells and arteries. They can also act as carcinogens or substances that can cause cancer.

Always remember to practice food safety and never use rancid coconut oils.

How to Properly Store Coconut Oil

Coconut oil takes a long time to oxidize which means it takes a long time to go bad. As mentioned above, refined coconut oil can last up to 18 months while virgin coconut oil can last up to five years. But that doesn’t mean you can just store it any way you want. Any oil stored carelessly can go bad faster than expected.

Here are some tips on how to properly store your coconut oil: 1. Store coconut oil in a cool, dark place. Exposure to light, heat, and air can cause quick rancidity of your oil. 2. You can store your coconut oil both in the pantry and the refrigerator. Coconut oil can take in two forms depending on temperature, liquid and solid. If you store it at room temperature it will be in its liquid consistency and will solidify if stored in the fridge. 3. Store oil in a constant temperature. Fluctuation in temperature can cause chemical reactions in your oil that can make it go bad faster. 4. Use clean utensils when scooping your oil. Contamination from used utensils can cause the formation of mold on your oil. 5. Always keep your oil sealed to avoid exposure to air that fastens oxidation.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 91 There’s no doubt coconut oil is a popular choice among many. Coconut oil is said to have impressive health benefits despite the claim of American Heart Association about coconut oil being unhealthy. Coconut oil has over 70 uses, you can even use it on your dogs and they love it! How great is that? Store your oil right and enjoy the awesome benefits coconut oil has to offer.

Beers are either canned or bottled, making them easier to stock. Does beer go bad? Yes. Beer goes bad but it does not expire. Like other alcoholic beverages, beer is labeled with a best-by date. The quality of your beer will decline within six to eight months after it hits the best-by date making it a bad beer.

We love the buzz that comes with beer. Another good thing about beer is that it’s not only for drinking but for making cooking a little more fun and tasty. Just like wine, you can use beer on a wide range of recipes such as these cedar

Beer refers to any yeast-fermented beverage made from grain. There are two families of beer distinguished by the type of yeast and temperature of fermentation – lagers and ales.

The brewery industry has consistently evolved over time. Different flavors of beer are now available in the market or even in the smallest bar near you. Here’s a list of the best type of beers to cook with.

Most American beers use codes on their expiration date and decoding beer dates can get pretty confusing. So how are you going to find out if your beer is still in good quality or already bad?

How to Tell If Beer is Bad

The easiest way to tell if your beer has gone bad is through the taste and smell test. Don’t worry, it’s safe. There are no after-effects from drinking bad beer since no harmful pathogens grow on beer once fully fermented.

How a bad beer will taste like:

Cardboard or Paper

Of course, old beer will taste old. This stale flavor is caused by oxidation or exposure to air. Over time beers will oxidize, so this flavor is most prevalent on old beers.

Buttered Popcorn or Butterscotch

This flavor is caused by Diacetyl which is a natural byproduct of fermentation. Exposure to heat accelerates the production of this compound. Although in

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 94 most cases the flavor is not considered an off taste, it’s different when it comes to beer. A subtle presence of diacetyl is considered acceptable in some beers, especially on ales, but unwanted in some styles, mainly lagers.

Mowed Grass or Green Apples

Acetaldehyde is the reason behind this unusual taste. Although this taste is more common when the beer is “too young”, acetaldehyde is a common byproduct of oxidation which happens particularly on old and not properly stored beers.

How a bad beer will smell like:

Skunked

What is skunked beer? Beers that are skunked are also called “lightstruck.” This foul odor often associated with skunks is caused by exposure to light

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 95 (sunlight or fluorescent lights). Beers in clear or green bottles are more likely to get skunked, but any beer not stored properly can get skunked too.

Other odd smells associated with oxidation and badly stored beers include leather, wet dog, plastic and rotten eggs.

How to Store Beer Properly

Proper storage plays a big part on how long your beer can last. Take note that beer has three mortal enemies: heat, oxygen, and light. So as a general rule, store your beer in a cool, dry and dark place.

Here are some tips on how to properly store beers:

1. Don’t expose your beer to light. Exposure to light will give you a skunked beer. Beers in darker bottles are expected to last longer than those in clear or green ones. Darker bottles have more protection against light 2. Don’t let your beer get too hot. Beer goes bad if it gets hot. Heat will cause a chemical reaction that can alter the taste of your beer. 3. Keep your beer stored upright. This method minimizes oxidation. 4. It’s best to store your beer at a temperature between 45°F and 55°F (slightly cooler than room temperature but warmer than a refrigerator) but if this is not possible it’s best to store your beer in the refrigerator. 5. Don’t freeze your beer. Chances are you’re going to let it melt again so you can actually drink or use it. The melted ice will make your beer taste flat.

Unopened beer will retain its best quality for about four to six months in the pantry and six to eight months in the refrigerator.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 96 How to store opened beer – don’t even try. Opened beer will only last good for a day, carbonation will evaporate and you’ll have a flat beer the next day.

Beer is proven to have some amazing health benefits if consumed in a moderate amount. Aside from also being a good cooking ingredient, there are a lot more reasons why people like beer so much. In fact, there are organizations dedicated to the love of beer and brewery. You might also like to try your hand in brewing your own beer.

Bacon for breakfast, lunch or dinner? No problem. Bacon is just so good you can also use it as a topping, or in snacks and meals. There’s no denying the love we have for this piece of meat.

Bacon is one of the most popular meat products out there. An American eats an average of 18 pounds of bacon annually.

The National Pork Board said that more than half (53%) of the households in America have bacon on hand in the kitchen. It has become so natural to have

Signs of Spoiled Bacon

Like other protein or meat products on the market, bacon usually has a sell-by date label instead of the expiration date. Because of this, you may still consume your bacon even after the sell-by date has passed. Is your bacon still good for consumption though? What does spoiled bacon look like?

It is easy to tell if your bacon has gone bad. Here are three ways to know if bacon is bad:

1. Look Your bacon is still safe if it still has it’s natural pink color with the fat being white or yellow. If your bacon has turned brown or gray with a tinge of green or blue, that one has spoiled already. Too much exposure to air causes a chemical reaction on the meat that leads to the change in color.

2. Smell

Fresh bacon will always have its natural meaty smell. Your bacon is spoiled if it smells sour, fishy, rotting or just really unpleasant. Bacteria growth and rancidity can make bacon smell nasty.

3. Touch

Good bacon is soft, fresh and moist. Bad bacon feels slimy to the touch and has a sticky sheen around it. Lactic acid bacteria causes slime formation on meat.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 99 It is best to dispose of spoiled bacon immediately before it contaminates your other meat products. Make sure to wrap it up with plastic and throw it out to prevent the smell from spreading throughout your kitchen.

What Happens If You Eat Bad Bacon

Any bad meat, including spoiled bacon, has a high risk of containing large amounts of bacteria including Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Bacillus, Clostridium and Escherichia coli. Spoiled bacon will taste sour due to bacteria forming on it. What happens if you accidentally eat bad bacon? Food poisoning.

Symptoms of food poisoning may include nausea and vomiting. You may also experience abdominal pain, fever, headache and body aches.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 100 Many cases of food poisoning resolve on their own without any specific treatment. However, in some cases, people develop severe symptoms and complications like severe abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, severe dehydration, high fever and extreme drowsiness. It is best to consult your doctor if you suspect food poisoning to get proper treatment.

How to Properly Store Bacon

Here are some tips to follow if you decide to stock up with some bacon, uncooked and cooked.

To Store Uncooked Bacon:

1. Examine your bacon before buying. Always check the sell-by date to make sure you’re getting the freshest product. 2. Wrap your opened bacon with paper towels before storing them. These towels will absorb the moisture from produce respiration. 3. Always keep your bacon in a refrigerator or a freezer. Unopened bacon will last for one to two weeks in the refrigerator and for six to eight months in the freezer. Opened and uncooked bacon will last for one week in the refrigerator and up to six months in the freezer. 4. To maximize the shelf life of your opened bacon, store it in a resealable plastic bag or wrap it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. 5. Check your bacon regularly. If not stored properly bacon will go bad. If it has spoiled, discard immediately to prevent contaminating other products.

To Store Cooked Bacon:

● Properly stored cooked bacon will last up to four or five days in the refrigerator and for two to three months in the freezer.

Despite our tremendous love for bacon, there is always the concern of it being unhealthy. Bacon has a bad reputation of containing plenty of fats that cause high cholesterol leading to serious health conditions. However, some may argue that bacon is actually healthy for you. But of course, anything that is too much can be bad. When eaten in the right proportion, the health benefits will outweigh all the downsides associated with bacon.

Potatoes are a popular must-have in the household. You’ll never run out of things to try with potatoes, mashed, boiled, fried and baked, by themselves or as a part of a dish. Low calorie, high fiber and rich in vitamin B6, potatoes can even help against some cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Because of these awesome attributes, it’s normal to stock up on potatoes.

When do potatoes go bad? After about one to two weeks, potatoes would start sprouting or going soft. Like any other tuberous crop out there, when not stored properly and over time potatoes will go bad.

Here are tips on prolonging the shelf life of spuds, signs of potatoes going bad, and the effects of consuming bad potatoes.

Got some potatoes in the pantry and completely forgot about them? That really happens. You might be surprised to find your potatoes looking different. Are my potatoes bad now? What does a bad potato look like?

Wrinkly, Sagging and Mushy Potatoes

Potatoes age the same way human skin does. Over time it will start to wrinkle and sag. Though the wrinkling and sagging won’t affect the taste of your potato that much, it will be better to get rid of them before they also ruin other potatoes. As your potatoes age, they will also start to feel mushy. This is a clear indicator that your potatoes are not edible anymore.

Smelly Potatoes

Fresh potatoes have this distinct earthy smell. Some potatoes may look perfectly fine from the outside but are actually rotten inside, with a really bitter and moldy scent.

Green Spots

These spots develop before sprouts appear. Green spots can contain a mild toxin. This review explains that greening of the peel is associated with an increase on solanine. While you can easily remove small spots, it is best to discard potatoes with large green spots.

Moldy Potatoes Mold can form on your potatoes if not stored right. Are moldy potatoes safe? It depends. If it just affected a small portion of your potato, you can always cut and throw that part out. If the mold has taken the majority of your potato then it’s better to get rid of that one already.

Are soft potatoes safe to eat? It also depends. Your potato is still good if it’s not “too soft”: mushy to the touch, sagging and shrinking. Are potatoes still good if they are sprouting? The answer is, yes as long as they are still fairly firm, just remove the eyes and sprouts. And always remember, never eat those discarded sprouts. Solanine content in potatoes is concentrated on these sprouts, making it unsafe for consumption.

What Happens If You Eat a Bad Potato?

Of course, we expect something bad to happen if we accidentally consume some bad potatoes. Can you get sick from old and bad potatoes? Yes. Bad potatoes can be poisonous.

The potato plant contains a neurotoxin called solanine. The spud is the root crop, the plant is toxic, meaning a sprouting potato– it’s turning into a plant!–

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 105 can be dangerous. Solanine is concentrated mostly on the skin or sprouts of potatoes. This natural toxin in food plants acts as a natural pesticide.

Consuming bad potatoes can cause solanine poisoning. Symptoms include headaches, vomiting, fever, stomach cramps, and difficulty in breathing. Other symptoms include diarrhea, shock, and hallucinations. An article from New York Times provides more information on potato plant poisoning.

How to Properly Store Potatoes

Here are some tips to keep your potatoes from going bad too quickly: 1. Always remember, the fresher the potatoes the longer it will last. If you’re planning to store some potatoes at home then better pick the freshest out of the bunch. Get some tips here: How to Pick a Potato. 2. Store them in a cool, dark and dry place in your pantry. 3. Avoid exposure to sunlight. Solanine production accelerates when potatoes are exposed to sunlight, which makes them even more toxic over time. 4. Store your potatoes in an open container that will allow the air to circulate well. Do not use plastic! Plastic won’t allow them to breathe and will shorten their shelf life. You can use a paper bag, mesh bag, cardboard box, or basket as a container. 5. Keeping them in a refrigerator is not advisable. Although refrigerating your potatoes will give them a longer shelf life, the low temperature will cause the starch on the potatoes to turn into sugar. It gives your potatoes a sweet taste but also causes them to darken faster. 6. Take note of the eyes. Yes, your potatoes can develop eyes. This might sound scary but it’s natural. Those eyes are actually little sprouts that potatoes develop even after harvesting. These eyes will develop into much bigger and longer sprouts over time. Get rid of those eyes before they can ruin your potatoes.

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 106 7. Keep your potatoes away from onions. They both release gases that ripen the other one. The potato-onion storage combination is inviting disaster. 8. Check on your potatoes regularly and remove those already in a bad state so it won’t ruin the good ones.

Properly stored potatoes can last for one to two weeks, refrigerated ones can last for three to four weeks while frozen potatoes can last up to 12 months.

You chose ripe avocados and made a delicious guacamole out of them, or maybe you found some beautiful guacamole in the supermarket. Now that you have this delicious dip, spread or topping, it’s time to wonder, “How long does guacamole last?” Whether you’re making it for your family to enjoy at home or it will be part of a party’s food offerings, it’s important for you to serve this snack fresh. Let’s talk about how long it lasts and steps you can take to make sure it’s fresh.

How Long Does Guacamole Last? The answer depends on whether it’s homemade or store bought. Either way, you’ll want to keep it in the fridge to keep it fresh. How long can guacamole be refrigerated? If you’ve made homemade guacamole, you have one to three days to eat it. Store bought varieties last a bit longer than the homemade type. In the fridge, the guacamole lasts five to seven days. Does Wholly Guacamole

© 2019 StreetSmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved. 108 need to be refrigerated? Yes, this and other store bought brands that come in a refrigerated supermarket section need to go back into the fridge at your home.

How Long Does Guacamole Last Unrefrigerated?

So you know how long you can keep your dip in the fridge. But what about when you take it out for your get-together? How long does guacamole last out of the fridge? You should only keep your guacamole out for two hours at maximum. At that point, put it in the fridge. The best bet might be to put out small portions and leave the rest in the fridge; refill the bowl as needed.

What if you have unopened store bought guacamole? If you left unopened guacamole out overnight, it’s not advisable to eat it. You buy the store bought type in a refrigerated section of the supermarket, and it is meant to stay refrigerated.

When you make guacamole, the avocado in it should be a nice green color. Is guacamole bad when it turns brown? Not necessarily. Guacamole turns dark green or brown due to oxidation from facing the air. You can simply take off this brown layer and eat the rest. Nonetheless, keep reading to learn how to properly store guacamole and potentially prevent this darkening for as long as possible.

How to Tell If Guacamole Is Bad

Does Wholly Guacamole go bad? Yes, any kind of store bought or homemade guacamole can go bad. You might think this has to do with the Wholly Guacamole use by date. Can you eat guacamole after expiration date? In actuality, the packaged types tend to include a date for how long they retain their top quality, so you can still eat them after this date. EatByDate says you can still enjoy unopened guacamole for one to two weeks past the printed date when it’s in the fridge. If it’s open, you could have it for one to two days.

Bad guacamole takes on a lot of the brown color or becomes gray. It could also have a layer of liquid or mold growth on top. Plus, you might notice a bad smell. What happens if you eat bad guacamole? You might wonder, “Can old guacamole make you sick?” Yes, you could have guacamole food poisoning symptoms from bacteria like salmonella on the guacamole. Effects of eating bad guacamole that leads to food poisoning could include an upset stomach all the way to organ failure and death, depending on the case.

How to Store Guacamole

If you’re wondering how to keep guacamole from turning brown in the fridge, the key is to keep it airtight. Put tight plastic wrap over the bowl or store it in a container with an airtight lid. Other tips for keeping guacamole green include

Can you freeze store bought guacamole? If you won’t be eating the guacamole right away, you can freeze either the homemade or store bought varieties for six months. However, some brands might recommend a different time period. If you’re wondering how to freeze guacamole, put or keep it in an airtight container and then put that in the freezer. Now, let’s talk about how to unfreeze guacamole. Simply let the package sit in cold water to thaw.

Once you have found your favorite guacamole recipe, make sure you follow these tips to keep it fresh and healthy. You’ll never have to wonder “How long does guacamole last?” again!

© 2019 ​Streetsmart Kitchen​ | All Rights Reserved

© 2019 Streetsmart Kitchen | All Rights Reserved