Do Sesame Seeds Go Bad?: Do you have a bag of partially opened sesame seeds in your hand and are wondering, “Do sesame seeds go bad?,” or “How long do sesame seeds last?” If so, you are in the proper location. Sesame seeds are one of the pantry essentials since they give fries, burgers, and even steaks more flavor. Learn if sesame seeds go bad and how to detect if they have by reading about them below. Additionally, you will learn several hints for storing sesame seeds in this post.
- Do Sesame Seeds Go Bad?
- How Long Do Sesame Seeds Last?
- How to Tell If Sesame Seeds Are Bad?
- How To Store Sesame Seeds?
- What Happens If You Consume Expired Sesame Seeds?
- FAQs on Can Sesame Seeds Go Bad
Do Sesame Seeds Go Bad?
Yes, sesame seeds do go bad. They will get rancid much like other fatty and greasy foods. So, if you’ve been properly keeping your sesame seeds, you need not worried about them spoiling soon.
Sesame seeds’ oils begin to oxidize when they are stored in poor lighting or for an excessively long time after their expiration date, which is what causes its “Rancidity”! So it is best for you to avoid buying sesame seeds in bulk if they are not a regular item in your cupboard.
How Long Do Sesame Seeds Last?
Typically, sesame seeds have a “Best-by” date. However, rather than indicating seed safety, the date is a sign of seed quality. Sesame seeds continue to be edible much after their best-by date. The objective in this situation is to avoid the seeds becoming rancid since sesame seeds are not susceptible to bacterial or fungal deterioration. The longer the sesame seeds will last, the better your storage methods will be.
In general, raw sesame seeds have a shelf life of one to three years, but roasted sesame seeds have a shelf life of six to twelve months in the pantry and one to one year in the freezer.
Conditions | In the pantry | In the freezer or refrigerator |
Raw Sesame Seeds (Opened or Unopened) | 1 – 3 years | 1 – 3 years |
Roasted Sesame Seeds | 6 – 12 months | 12 months |
Tahini | 4 – 6 months | 6 – 12 months |
How to Tell If Sesame Seeds Are Bad?
So, here’s how to determine whether or not opened sesame seeds in a bag that you’ve had for a very long time in your pantry have gone rancid.
Aroma: Sesame seeds often have a nutty, fresh scent. If the scent has become sour and off, you should head to the food store right away. Sesame seeds that have gone bad not only taste bad but are bad for your health as well. In other words, if your nose says “no,” it’s a no!
Flavor: Another effective method for determining if something is safe to consume is your sense of taste. Sesame seeds often have a nutty, fresh flavor. But if the flavor has changed and is now foul, you must discard the seeds. Who would want to ruin their cuisine with such disgusting toppings, right?
Molds: Molds enjoy food just as much as we do. So keep an eye out for this adversary. Sesame seeds don’t frequently contain molds. But if your seeds have come into contact with moisture, there is a good probability that mold will develop. Mold may be present if you see a white, gray, or black fuzzy matter inside the package or container of sesame seeds.
Do Check: Can Sesame Oil Go Bad
How To Store Sesame Seeds?
You now understand when to discard sesame seeds. However, are you aware of the best ways to keep them so you won’t have to throw them away before using them? We do, after all! We’ll also provide you with great sesame storage advice.
Airtight Container
Sesame seeds should, of course, always be kept in airtight containers with the lids on. Consider putting them in a plastic bag to keep them cool if you live in a hot region. Make sure to remove all of the air from a plastic bag before closing it if you’re keeping them. A kitchen cryovac machine can be used for this. This is the ideal course of action if you want to keep the seeds fresh for a long time!
Sesame seeds are known to support mold development and become rancid when exposed to air, which brings moisture into the seeds.
Cool and Dry Place
Sesame seeds should also be kept in a cool, dry location away from heat and sunshine. Rancidity is known to accelerate in the presence of heat and sunshine. Sesame seeds should, if at all possible, be maintained at a steady temperature because sharp temperature changes are bad for their quality.
Freeze or Refrigerate
In case you didn’t know, cooling and freezing seeds extend their shelf life by preventing rancidity. Additionally, seeds are kept at a consistent temperature in freezers or refrigerators.
Simply place the seeds in a freezer or refrigerator in an airtight container. Squeeze as much air as you can out of freezer bags if using them.
Tahini
Sesame seeds have a far longer shelf life than tahini. Therefore, making all of your sesame seeds into tahini at once might not be a smart idea if you bought them in bulk. Consider preparing tahini in bulk if you enjoy it and use it frequently.
In the refrigerator and freezer, tahini keeps for between 6 and 12 months and for around 4-6 months in the pantry. The taste of tahini improves with freshness, so you may start by creating a quantity that will survive for the first two to three months.
What Happens If You Consume Expired Sesame Seeds?
Consuming sesame seeds over their expiration date won’t likely make you sick because it is the date by which they are most likely to retain their quality and flavor. But the situation could not be the same if you eat moldy or rotten seeds.
However, there won’t likely be any detrimental effects if you eat a handful of rancid sesame seeds or even fewer. Nevertheless, it is certainly not a good idea to consistently consume rancid sesame seeds while being aware that they have gone bad.
In conclusion, you’ll probably be alright if you accidentally add a pinch or two of outdated sesame seeds to your dish. On the other hand, consuming too much of it may provide a number of health hazards.
FAQs on Can Sesame Seeds Go Bad
1. Can you freeze sesame seeds?
Yes, you can do that. If you freeze sesame seeds, they will be good to use for over a year.
2. What happens if you eat expired sesame seeds?
Since consuming rotten items normally has no immediate negative consequences, eating rancid sesame seeds or rancid tahini won’t make you sick, especially if you only eat a tiny bit of it. The worst that may happen is a few hours later, some mild intestinal problems.
3. How can you store sesame seeds?
In the pantry, sesame seeds can be kept in an airtight container in a cold, dark location. Sesame seeds, however, should really be kept in the freezer.