Granulated sugar can last for years if stored properly, but there are some signs that indicate it may have gone bad. Here are a few tips for determining if your granulated sugar is still good to use or if it’s time to replace it.
Check for Clumping
One of the first signs that granulated sugar has gone bad is clumping. Sugar is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air. When stored in a humid environment, the sugar can clump together into solid blocks or lumps. Give your sugar container a shake – if you hear the sugar moving freely, it’s likely still good. If it sounds like solid clumps hitting the sides, the sugar has absorbed excess moisture and hardened.
Look for Color Changes
Pure granulated sugar should be sparkling white. Over time, it can start to turn yellow or brown as it deteriorates. Examine the sugar closely. If you see any discoloration throughout the container, it means the sugar is past its prime. Molasses-containing brown sugars will darken naturally over time as the molasses oxidize, so color changes are less indicative of spoilage for them.
Check the Expiration or Best-By Date
Like other pantry goods, sugar will come with an expiration or best-by date on the packaging. This is the manufacturer’s estimate of how long the unopened sugar will stay fresh on your shelf. Note that dates are usually conservative estimates – sugar that is a year or two past its date may still be perfectly good if properly stored. But if your sugar is more than 3-4 years expired, it’s prudent to discard and replace it.
Smell the Sugar
Fresh sugar has no discernible scent. If you open your sugar container and detect any type of off odor such as mustiness, cardboard, or other strange smells, it’s a sign the sugar has deteriorated. Give it a whiff – your nose will know instantly if your sugar has gone off.
Taste a Small Amount
The ultimate test is to taste a pinch of the suspect sugar. Fresh sugar simply tastes sweet. Spoiled sugar will have an odd flavor such as bitterness, staleness, or cardboard. It’s not hazardous if eaten, but the unpleasant taste will ruin any recipe you use it in. Just taste a tiny bit – that will give you the answer on whether or not to toss the sugar out.
Has it Been Exposed to Moisture or Heat?
How you store sugar also affects how quickly it will degrade. Sugar left in a humid environment is more likely to clump and harden. Storage in hot places like near ovens or appliances also speeds up deterioration. And repeated opening of the package allows moisture in. If your sugar has been stored improperly, it will have a shorter shelf life.
Prevent Sugar from Going Bad
Follow these simple tips to keep your sugar fresh longer:
- Store in an airtight container
- Keep in a cool, dry place
- Store away from heat sources or moisture
- Only open when ready to use
- Use clean, dry utensils
- Buy in smaller quantities if not used often
What to Do With Bad Sugar
If you determine your sugar has gone bad, don’t panic. Here are some options for what to do with sugar that is past its prime:
- Cook or bake with it: In baked goods, the off flavors will be masked by other ingredients. You can also use it for making things like caramel where the sugar will melt and caramelize.
- Use in place of salt when boiling water: The small amount needed to season a pot of boiling water or blanching vegetables won’t impart any unwanted flavors.
- Compost it: Sugars are carbon-based so they make a good addition to the compost pile. Avoid using moldy sugar though.
- Trash it: If you don’t want to take a chance using old sugar, it’s perfectly safe to throw it in the garbage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does granulated sugar last at room temperature?
Properly stored in an airtight container, granulated sugar will generally stay fresh for 2-4 years at room temperature. Sugar does not spoil, but it can harden over time. Keeping it in a sealed container away from moisture and humidity will extend its shelf life.
Can old sugar make you sick?
Eating sugar that has gone bad is not harmful or toxic to humans. At worst, it will taste stale, bitter, or have an off flavor. As sugar starts deteriorating, it may grow mold if exposed to moisture. Consuming large amounts of moldy sugar could cause digestive upset, so moldy sugar should be discarded.
What happens when sugar gets old?
As sugar ages, the granules lose moisture and shrink, so the sugar becomes hardened and clumped. The sugar can also take on smells and colors from its storage environment. Old sugar generally has an unpleasant stale, cardboard-like flavor. But apart from quality loss, there are no safety risks from using old sugar in food.
Can you use expired sugar when baking?
Expired or old sugar can still be used for baking. Because it is blended with other ingredients, you likely won’t notice minor off-flavors. Very old sugar that is badly clumped may not incorporate well. For best results, use fresh sugar if possible. But sugar that is up to a few years past its expiration date can be used up in baked goods.
Is it OK to eat crystallized sugar?
Sugar that has crystallized into solid lumps has not gone bad, it has merely absorbed some moisture and hardened. It is perfectly safe to eat crystallized sugar. Simply break up the chunks into a powder before using it. Storing sugar in an airtight container will help prevent crystallization.
Conclusion
With a little vigilance, it’s easy to tell if your granulated sugar has gone bad. Look for clumping, discoloration, strange odors and any signs it has been exposed to moisture or heat. A small taste test will confirm if your sugar is still good or ready to be replaced. And even sugar that is past its prime can be safely used in cooking and baking where any stale flavors will go unnoticed.
