Of course, the shelf life of chocolate is shorter if it is not stored properly. But remember that chocolate, like a lot of other sweets, usually has a best before date and not an expiration date. Because of this distinction, you may safely use it even after the best before date has lapsed. There is also a difference in the grade of chocolate, whether for savoring or for cooking it is always best to use high quality chocolate for best results.

How to tell if Chocolate is bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

Since pure chocolate is such a delicate flavor, eating straight gourmet chocolate really is best (most enjoyable) within about a week of the best by date. After that, the taste does begins to change slightly. That being said, your sense of sight is best to judge whether chocolate has gone bad. If you see little white dots forming on the edges of the chocolate then it is drying out and getting old. It can still be used to cook with, but eating it plain will not be quite as enjoyable. After that, depending on the grade of the product, it may start to taste waxy. If your chocolate has gone bad and you need to find a quick replacement then check our chocolate substitute page for ideas.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Chocolate to extend its shelf life?

You can help keep chocolate fresh longer by storing it in a cool, dry place. It can also be kept fresh longer by keeping it in a sealed container the fridge (refrigerator), especially in warm climates. Because chocolate has a low melting point, it should not be stored in warm places or left in a closed car for an extended amount of time. Always remember to store chocolate in a tightly closed container or sealed in plastic wrap to keep out moisture and other contaminants. Additionally, chocolate should be sealed in a container or plastic wrap because chocolate is like a sponge and will absorb the flavors of its surroundings - especially when stored in the refrigerator.

For a long-term option, you can freeze your chocolate while preserving its taste if you use an air-tight freezer safe container. Although freezing is an indefinite storage spot, the quality of some foods decline after longer time periods in the freezer.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

Interesting facts about Chocolate:

Does chocolate go bad? Yes, chocolate does go bad.

How long is Chocolate good for when prepared in a dish?

How long does chocolate last? That depends. How long does milk last? In general, it lasts only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the recipe.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Chocolate lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Chocolate.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Chocolate shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!