Can Raisins Go Bad?: Most of us like to eat dried raisins to maintain good health as they are very nutritious as well as delicious snack items. But sometimes we will forget about them and keep them on the shelf for a very long time. So, when we see them in the cupboard after a long time we may get one question in mind, i.e., Do raisins go bad? as it is a dry fruit we will think that will not go bad. We will see the answer to this question in the below sections.
Read on to our blog to find out how long you can store these sweet gems hanging around, how to know if they are spoiled, and many more.
- What are Raisins?
- Can Raisins Go Bad?
- Storing Opened Raisins
- Signs Raisins has Gone Bad
- How Long Do Raisins Last?
- Storing Raisins Long Term
- Interesting Facts about Raisins
- How to Soften Hard Raisins?
- What happens if you eat expired raisins?
What are Raisins?
Raisins are dried grapes that can be eaten raw or used in baking, brewing, and also in cooking. These normally come in purple or yellow color. We can dry these grapes in many varieties like sun-dried, mechanically dried and shade-dried. Most of them will be sun-dried and dried in a food dehydrator. They will have a soft and slightly wrinkled texture. These are perfect to add to desserts and baking goods.
Can Raisins Go Bad? | Can Raisins Expire?
Yes, raisins can go bad. But raisins have a long shelf life, and using some storage methods shelf life will extend even further. Raisins can last a year, after the completion of the expiry date, if the raisins are unopened and stored in the pantry. Raisins will smell sweet and tart. Anything that smells different or bad is an indicator that they have turned bad.
Storing Opened Raisins
If the raisins are once opened, the shelf life of those raisins reduces to six months from the date they are opened. The best way to store raisins is that you need to store them in an air-tight container and seal them tightly then keep them in the refrigerator. So that they will remain good for upto a year. But if you store the raisins for a long time, the moisture that we have in the raisins will evaporate and they become very hard.
Ingredient: Raisins Indian (Golden)
Nutritional Information (Approx. Values)
No. of Servings per Pack: 20
Serving Size: 25 g
| Nutrients | Per 100 g | % Contribution to RDA per Serve |
| Energy | 344.92 kcal | 4.31 |
| Protein | 2.75 g | |
| Carbohydrates | 83.48 g | |
| Total Sugars | 57.12 g | |
| Added Sugars | 0 g | 0 |
| Total Fat | 0 g | 0 |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g | 0 |
| Trans Fat (other than naturally occurring trans-fat) | 0 g | 0 |
| Cholesterol | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 10.16 mg | 0.13 |
*%RDA values are based on the Energy requirement of 2000 kcal/day for an average adult as per ICMR 2010, it may vary as per an individual’s calorie needs.
Signs Raisins Has Gone Bad
Raisins will not spoil or go bad exactly like traditional fruits such as bananas and pineapples. Instead of that, they will lose moisture and taste which makes them not worth consumption. And here we are going to discuss some signs to know that raisins have gone bad.
This is the best indicator to tell that raisins have gone bad. If the raisins got a rotten or sour smell then they are not good to eat, so it is better to throw them out. If the dry fruits are stored for a long time, it is better to check their odors before eating.
Another best sign is to know whether the raisins are good or not. If you see any type of mold growth on the raisins just throw them into the trash. If dry fruits absorb any moisture, we can see mold growth.
If you see any discoloration on the raisins it is an indication that the raisins are ready to go bad, at this point they will have less flavor. You will also notice the light or darker spots on the raisins. If you do not store the raisins properly, as they are sweet you will get pests in them. so, always store the raisins separately so they will not get affected.
If you cannot find any of the signs that are provided above then it is time to taste. When you eat a couple of raisins if you feel a sour and bitter taste then the raisins are not good to discard immediately.
How Long Do Raisins Last? | Do Raisins Go Out Of Date
As it is a dry fruit, raisins will have a longer shelf life. If you freeze the raisins they will last upto a year. If you buy raisins outside they will come with the best-by date on the label. But it is just a rough estimation. Raisins will last longer than expiry if you store well. We will see the shelf life of raisins if they are opened and unopened. Just check them out.
| Types of Raisins | Pantry | Fridge |
|---|---|---|
| Raisins (unopened) | Best-by + 1 – 3 months | Best-by + 1 – 3 months |
| Raisins (opened) | 6 months | 6 months |
Storing Raisins Long-Term
Freezing the raisins is one way to extend the shelf life of the raisins. As it will have a low moisture content the texture of the raisins also will not change. We have the process to freeze the raisins. Just keeping them in a zip lock bag and throwing it in the freezer is not the way. Just check out the process to freeze the raisins.
- Remove the clumps by spreading the raisins in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Then, keep that baking sheet in the freezer and then freeze them for an hour.
- After that, transfer them to an air-tight container.
- When you want to thaw them, just keep them in the refrigerator or on the countertop for some time.
- If you are using them for baking or cooking you can directly use the frozen raisins.
Interesting Facts about Raisins
Here are some of the most interesting and unknown facts about raisins. Just check it out.
- The word “Raisins” comes from the Latin word “racemes” which means a cluster of grapes or berries.
- Raisins are all-natural, cholesterol, and oil-free.
- Raisins were discovered in 2000 BC.
- We have many types of raisins, they are black raisins, currants, red raisins, golden raisins, green raisins, and sultanas.
FAQs on Does Raisins Go Bad
1. How to Soften Hard Raisins?
To soften the hard raisins, just rehydrate them by soaking them in warm water for a few hours. You can use them for cooking or baking.
2. What happens if you eat expired raisins?
The worst thing that will happen if you eat expired raisins and moldy raisins, your jaw will get sore from trying to chew fruit that is unpleasantly dry and tough.
Most of us think that raisins are yellow and purple in color as they are made from different types of grapes, but it is not correct, both of the raisins are made from green grapes but there will be differences in drying them.
Key Upshots
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