Do you love chocolates? If yes, then M&Ms would undoubtedly be on your wish list.
Created in the 1940s, M&Ms have been a successful food product for Mars Candy Company, which has earned significant response worldwide.
The candy bar treat has been delighting millions for decades and can easily last for months past their “best by” date.
However, many chocolate lovers find this question intimidating that how long do M&Ms last? If you are one of the folks that keep asking this question, you have landed on the right page.
Our article will give you insight into how you can tell if your favorite M&Ms have gone bad or why you should be concerned about bad M&Ms.
M&Ms are known for their unique flavor and style, and many love the way they melt in the mouth and not in their hands.
It comes in different variants and ingredients, each having its unique composition and taste.
How Long Do M&Ms Last? Do M&Ms Go Bad?
As we mentioned earlier, M&Ms come in different variants, and their shelf life can differ with each variant.
For instance, an unopened pack of M&M Peanuts can last for six months in your pantry, while you can expect 12 months of storage life from the M&M Mint beyond the “best by” date. Similarly, you will get a different shelf life for other M&M variants.
M&Ms are similar to other sweets and generally come with a best before date rather than having an expiration date.
This distinction means that you can consume your favorite M&Ms safely even if the recommended best before date has elapsed. If you want to enjoy more shelf life, then plain M&Ms are the best to consider as they can last longer in the freezer.
As M&M candies come with extra coating, they last long beyond their best before date. However, they can lose their taste and become less enjoyable to your taste buds.
Below are a few measures that you can follow to increase their shelf life:
- Storing your M&Ms in a cool and dry place ensures that they stay fresh for longer, retaining their mouth-watering flavors.
- Never store them in a warm place.
- Store M&Ms at 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Storing them in an airtight container or original packaging prolongs their shelf life.
- Keep M&Ms away from moisture by sealing them with a plastic wrap.
- If you want to preserve their taste longer, keep them in your freezer using an airtight freezer-safe container.
Do M&Ms go bad? As we mentioned earlier, M&M candies can go bad if you don’t take proper care of them. Like most other sweets, M&Ms are best and more enjoyable to consume within a week.
While it can last for months in an unopened or airtight container, your M&Ms can suffer a loss of quality and taste, which is undoubtedly not the thing you would like.
How to Tell if M&Ms are Bad?
Following food safety techniques and practicing hygiene is a must for healthy living, and so keeping a check of your M&Ms will help you prevent foodborne illness.
The best and convenient way of judging your M&M candies is with your sense of sight. While chocolates can last longer, they can lose their delightful taste overtime.
If your M&Ms are developing little white dots on the edges, it indicates that they are getting old. This process usually occurs because of dryness, which diminishes the quality of the candies.
Dry chocolate is perfect for cooking as it restores the flavors. However, you will never want to eat it plain as they will feel different in taste and not that enjoyable as fresh ones.
Additionally, you can check for any discoloration or molds to identify whether your M&Ms have gone bad.
Apart from judging the state of your M&M candies, you can also determine the quality with your sense of taste. If your chocolate tastes stale or rotten, it would be best to toss them out of your kitchen pantry.
Spoiled foods can increase health risks, and we recommend you to practice proper food hygiene and safety.
Humid conditions are not ideal for M&Ms, so it would be best to store them in a cool and dry place.
The company recommends users to consume their products with 13 months from the manufacturing date, which guarantees that you will get the best and more enjoyable taste in that period.
However, you can follow our steps to extend the shelf life of your favorite M&Ms.
Conclusion
M&Ms have been a delight for many chocolate enthusiasts for decades, which is why they are so popular across the globe.
The different variants that the company provides allure many chocolate lovers to store them and use them in various recipes.
Chocolates are known for their mouth-watering taste, but they offer many health benefits apart from satisfying taste buds.
According to Healthline.com, chocolates can improve blood flow, reduce heart diseases, and improve brain functions.
If you store them properly, M&Ms can last for months beyond their “best by” date, and with so many flavors on offer, it might be irresistible not to have them in your kitchen pantry or freezer.
How Long Do M&Ms Last? Do M&Ms Go Bad?
Ingredients
- Mu0026Ms
- Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
- Check the u0022Best-by-dateu0022 to know when it expires.
- Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
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