Oh no.
You’ve just found a jar of molasses in the back of your cupboard and are here wondering:
How long does molasses last? Has my molasses gone bad? Have I even stored these correctly?!
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Today, we’re running through the following:
- What to look for to tell if your molasses have gone bad
- How to store your molasses
- How long molasses will last
Here’s the deal: Your molasses’ shelf life depends on the specific brand, and your best bet is to go by storage periods indicated on the label. Regarding storage, almost every brand of molasses keeps well in the pantry.
Have My Molasses Gone Bad?
As with most food, you want to check molasses’ appearance, odor, and taste – and in that order.
First off, look for differences in appearance. What you should really be hunting for is mold, which may look like tiny specs to begin with – so if you’re suspicious, look hard.
Provided there’s no mold, move on to the smell test. If everything smells normal, then feel free to try some black treacle. Don’t worry – this is unlikely to do you any harm.
Any changes in smell or taste and your molasses are ready for the bin.
How Should I Store My Molasses?
The best home for your molasses is cool and dry, with little to no temperature fluctuation. That means a pantry or cupboard away from any heat sources is a good bet.
Once you’ve opened your molasses, reseal the container tightly. Store-bought molasses usually come in bottles or jars that can be resealed, but transfer it to an airtight container if necessary.
Even once open, there’s no need to refrigerate molasses. However, refrigerating unopened or opened molasses can help them to retain quality for longer.
You should note, though: refrigerated molasses are even more thick and viscous than room-temperature molasses. To avoid problems with it being too thick, leave it to warm up at room temperature for a few hours.
How Long Will My Molasses Last?
The shelf life of molasses varied from brand to brand, depending on the ingredients list and manufacturing method. However, your molasses should last over two years from purchase at the very minimum and can last up to 10 years!
It’s definitely best to go by the best-before date here and regularly check your molasses for signs of degradation beyond this date.
The Truth About Molasses
Molasses will last anywhere from 2 to 10 years, so your best bet is to go by the label on the packaging and the appearance-smell-taste test.
