Grapes are a nutritious fruit that can be eaten in various ways, enjoyed as part of dessert, breakfast, or even added to some meat dishes or a fresh salad.
When they are left out to dry in the sun for a couple of days, they become raisins. Although they lose some of the grape’s nutritional values, they are still a great source of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Like any other food, raisins can go bad and may spoil quickly if you don’t know how to store them properly.
What’s the bottom line?
Despite lasting much longer than fresh fruit, raisins can go bad. Unopened raisins can last up to a year after expiration, while opened raisins will only last from 3 to 6 months.
Signs Your Raisins Have Gone Bad
There are different signs that indicate that your raisins have gone bad. When they are fresh, raisins usually have a sweet smell, but when they spoil, their smell becomes sour.
Another way to make sure your raisins are still good is to check for mold. While it is not common for dried foods to grow mold, this can happen if they are exposed to humidity. If you decide to store your raisins in the fridge, use an airtight container.
Raisins can also become discolored, which is a sign that, even if they haven’t spoiled yet, the process has started to take place. If the raisins still have their typical sweet aroma and have no signs of mold, you can taste one or two. If the taste is off, throw the whole bag out. If the taste is ok, try to consume them soon before they become harder and the taste changes.
How To Store Raisins
Due to their lack of moisture, raisins have a long shelf life, which can be prolonged by storing them correctly. If you want to avoid them becoming drier and harder, keeping them away from sunlight and heat is essential. This means you should not store them anywhere close to the oven.
The raisins will still last a long time in the pantry after the bag is open, but only if you keep their bag closed very tightly. You can even transfer them to a container, preferably one with an airtight lid, so that you can make sure they are only exposed to air when you decide to eat them.
If you usually take a long time to go through a whole bag of raisins, you can prolong their shelf life by storing them in the fridge. Again, it is very important to use an airtight container to avoid any contact with moisture.
The third option is to store your raisins in the freezer. This may be the ideal solution if you’ve bought them to prepare a specific dish but don’t plan to use them for a long time after that.
Their texture usually doesn’t change significantly when frozen because they are naturally low in moisture.
How Long Do Raisins Last
While grapes will last from 3 to 10 days, depending on if they are kept at room temperature or in the freezer, raisins have a much longer shelf life.
An open bag of raisins usually lasts from 3 to 6 months after the expiration date if kept in the pantry, and from 6 to 12 months if kept in the fridge. Frozen raisins can last over a year if stored properly.
When you store unopened raisins, you can expect them to last from 6 to 12 months at room temperature and 1 to 2 years in the fridge. Unopened raisins can last indefinitely in the freezer, but to be safe, you should check for any signs of spoilage when they are completely thawed out.
The Verdict On Raisins
Raisins can last from six months to over two years if stored in the right conditions.
Keep your raisins away from the heat by storing them away from windows and ovens. Avoid letting them get in contact with any moisture, which can accelerate their spoilage. When you open your bag of raisins, don’t forget: choose a good container with an airtight lid to guarantee they will last as long as you need them to.
Raisins are a healthy snack that can help prevent anemia, relieve constipation and protect both your bones and your teeth. They are a great source of energy when you are exercising, but should not be consumed in excess due to their high sugar content.
There are a number of ways you can add raisins to your meals, and you just have to find the right recipe for you and start cooking!
