Since brown sugar is obtained after an elaborate process, it is often procured at a high price. This is why one cannot afford to deal with a packet of brown sugar with a deteriorated quality.
Brown Sugar has an indefinite shelf-life. In most cases, your Brown Sugar will remain safe without developing any spoilage signs for years. But, the quality and taste of the sugar may degrade gradually with time. Don’t worry; you can prevent such circumstances by storing brown sugar under appropriate conditions.
Read on if you are interested in learning about spoilage signs, shelf-life, storage requirements, etc.
What is the Shelf-Life of Brown Sugar?
Although Brown Sugar lasts indefinitely, it is best to use Brown Sugar within two years from the production date. Brown Sugar lasts for years, provided it is stored away from moisture, air, and insects.
The printed use-by date on most of the packages is of two years and these periods are the rough estimate of how long it sustains optimal quality and freshness. These periods are not the expiry date because Brown Sugar stays safe and edible for a couple of years past its use-by date.
Brown Sugar stays fine and edible indefinitely in your pantry, whether opened or unopened. If your Brown Sugar is stored for a couple of years at room temperature, it may degrade and lose its authentic taste and quality with time.
What are the Spoilage Signs of Brown Sugar?
Brown Sugar stored properly in an airtight container won’t go bad quickly. Improper storage can accelerate the spoilage of Brown Sugar. Below are a few spoilage signs that can help you know when your Brown Sugar has gone rancid and is no longer edible.
Dead or Alive Larvae, Insects, and Eggs
Insects and pantry bugs find their way into the bag or container and if you see any eggs or insects in the container, discard the Brown Sugar. It indicates that the Brown Sugar is contaminated and is no longer edible and safe for consumption.
Organic or Mold Growth
If your Brown Sugar is improperly stored, it gets exposed to air and moisture, making an easy breeding ground for bacteria and mold. You will see mold growth on the Brown Sugar, indicating that the sugar has gone bad and is no longer edible.
Clumpy Brown Sugar
Brown Sugar has higher moisture content than normal white sugar. When the moisture evaporates, the Brown Sugar starts to harden. It is a natural reaction, and it must not be considered a spoilage sign because the sugar is still edible.
Until you see any pantry bugs, eggs, or insects in the hardened Brown Sugar, it is safe for consumption, and you may use it without worrying about side effects.
Brown Sugar Smelling Off
Brown Sugar easily picks odor and smells from products and foods stored close to it. It happens when the container or bag of Brown Sugar is stored improperly and not sealed. If the smell it radiates is too strong, it is best to discard it.
There is no harm in using such smelly Brown Sugar, but it will give off some odor to the recipe, which is not good.
What Happens When You Eat Spoiled Brown Sugar?
Brown Sugar is the most common kitchen staple found in many households in bulk. Many people prefer having Brown Sugar in stock in their pantry. But, when it comes to using old Brown Sugar, they wonder if it is safe. People will not fall sick by consuming old Brown Sugar, provided that it is properly stored and free from spoilage signs.
Since Brown Sugar has an indefinite shelf-life, you can use it for years without worrying. Sugar is the best preservative because it doesn’t support fungi and bacterial growth. You can use it to preserve recipes made out of Brown Sugar.
Can You Freeze Brown Sugar? Refrigerated Vs. Shelf-Stable
Brown Sugar keeps its peak quality when stored in a freezer. So, freezing is the best way to extend its shelf-life and make it last indefinitely. But, there are certain storage requirements that you have to keep in mind before freezing.
The Brown Sugar must be stored in an airtight container before freezing. Ensure that the container is properly sealed. You must not thaw the entire Brown Sugar; instead, thaw only the required amount.
People living in warm and hot climatic conditions must prefer storing the leftover Brown Sugar in a freezer. People living in mild climate conditions where the temperature doesn’t get too hot can store the Brown Sugar in the kitchen pantry.
Brown Sugar can be stored in a freezer or pantry depending on the climatic conditions and temperature.
Refrigerated
It is not a good choice to refrigerate Brown Sugar. Refrigerators have a cool temperature, and when you store the Brown Sugar in a fridge, it will dampen the sugar.
The damp Brown Sugar easily attracts organic and mold growth. So, if you store the Brown Sugar in a fridge, it will dampen the Brown Sugar, leading to organic growth with time. So, avoid refrigerating the Brown Sugar.
Shelf-Stable
The best place for Brown Sugar storage is dark, cool, and dry places in your kitchen or pantry. Brown Sugar stored properly in cool, dry, and dark places can last indefinitely without developing any spoilage signs.
The unopened bag of Brown Sugar will stay un-clumped longer than the opened bag of Brown Sugar. Once the bag is open, the sugar will harden and clump. But, it doesn’t mean that Brown Sugar has gone rancid. You will find it challenging to remove the hardened Brown Sugar from the container.
Brown Sugar won’t go bad if you store it properly as suggested. But, it is best to consume the Brown Sugar within the printed use-by date for the best quality and freshness. Using the Brown Sugar within the printed use-by date will ensure less hardening and clumping, making adding recipes easy.
What are the Best Methods to Store Brown Sugar?
Properly stored Brown Sugar lasts indefinitely because it technically never goes rancid. But, you have to ensure a proper storage condition for the leftover Brown Sugar to make it last longer. Below are some of the helpful tips on storing your Brown Sugar.
Store the Brown Sugar in Sealed Container
After opening, an airtight sealed container is best to store the leftover Brown Sugar. The airtight containers prevent moisture and insects, and it keeps the sugar fresh and of the peak quality.
Store in Cool and Dry Places
The dry, cool, and dark spots in your pantry are the best option to store your Brown Sugar. You must ensure that the Brown Sugar is stored in spots away from heat sources, extreme temperature, and moisture.
Since Brown Sugar absorbs moisture from the air, it must be stored in an airtight container away from heat sources and moisture.
Store in Sugar Saver
Brown Sugar quickly turns clumpy, and to prevent it from happening, you must use Brown Sugar Saver. The role of the saver is to prevent and reduce clumping.
If you don’t find a sugar saver, you may use a slice of bread or cracker and store it in the sugar bag. Ensure to replace them every week. It will prevent the Brown Sugar from clumping.
Alternatives for Brown Sugar if it has Gone BadÂ
You’re halfway through the recipe and realize that your brown sugar packet has expired. In such cases, you can try any of the following alternatives:
- Coconut sugar
- White sugar plus maple syrup
- White sugar plus molasses
- Muscovado sugar
- Plain white sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does My Brown Sugar Container Doesn’t Have a Printed Use-By Date?
Brown Sugar lasts indefinitely, especially when stored properly. Therefore, some containers of Brown Sugar have no printed use-by or expiry date.
But, it doesn’t mean that your Brown Sugar won’t go bad. Brown Sugar degrades and loses its quality with time. It is always best to use the Brown Sugar within two years from the production date.
How Long After Expiration Can You Use Brown Sugar?
Brown Sugar lasts indefinitely and keeps its peak quality for years. However, organic growth will start if exposed to moisture and air. In some cases, manufacturers always suggest using Brown Sugar within two years of the production date.
It doesn’t mean that Brown Sugar will go rancid after two years, but you will notice slight changes in texture, taste, and quality.
Can brown sugar grow mold?
When brown sugar is improperly stored, it can grow mold. Generally, this takes place when it is exposed to water and air. This is why it is advisable to store brown sugar in an airtight container.
Why does my brown sugar smell like alcohol?
When brown sugar gets exposed to water or moisture, it leads to the fermentation caused by bacteria. This can give your brown sugar a rancid smell, similar to alcohol.
The Bottom Line
By now, you are aware that Brown Sugar has a remarkable shelf-life. But after prolonged storage, the sugar may harden and lose its quality, especially after two years. If you store your Brown Sugar properly, it won’t go bad quickly.
Don’t forget to check the spoilage signs before using old Brown Sugar. Brown Sugar exposed to moisture and air tends to have mold and organic growth, and hence it is necessary to check the sugar before using it.
