Does Chili Powder Go Bad: Are you one of those people who boast of eating chilies with high Scoville numbers? Then there is a very high probability that you keep a fresh stock of chilly powder or red peppers at your place. But have you ever wondered does chili powder go bad?
Also, can you identify spoilage in packed chili powder? Given the importance of this fundamental condiment in all cuisines, you should be well-versed in its storage needs. Therefore, in this article, we will be telling you everything you need to know in order to handle your chili powder well.
- Does Chili Powder Go Bad?
- How Long Does Chilli Powder Last?
- How To Store Chili Powder?
- How To Tell If It Has Gone Bad?
- Is it OK to Grind Chili Powder In Advance?
- Does chili powder go rancid?
- Does chili powder get bugs?
- Is it okay to use expired chili powder?
Does Chili Powder Go Bad?
Yes! Just like any other food item, all types of spices; including chili powder and raw red peppers, are bound to go bad eventually. However, this spice displays very subtle red flags of deterioration. So, it can be tricky to figure out whether the chili powder stored in your kitchen pantry is good or not.
Instead of giving off a bad odor, spoiled chili powder loses its flavor over time and gets visibly discolored.
How Long Does Chilli Powder Last?
Here, we will be telling you about the estimated shelf life of chili powder, both packed and unpacked, in various conditions. These estimates depend heavily on many factors such as the storage conditions at the supermarket from where you bought it, the farming technologies used, and the room temperature of your kitchen.
| Type of Chili Powder | Shelf Life at Room Temperature | Shelf Life in Cool Place (Kitchen Pantry, Refrigerator) |
|---|---|---|
| Packed and Ground Chili Powder | Up to 1 year | 1-2 years |
| Unpacked and Ground Chili Powder | 8-12 months | Up to a year |
| Raw Red Peppers | At most 6 months | Up to 8 months |
How To Store Chili Powder?
Bought a lot of chili powder and now worried about storing it properly. Are you considering leaving it outside without taking any precautions? In such a case, read through this section and get answers to all your questions. We will tell you about all the professional stacking techniques that you can arm yourself with whenever you wish to keep your chili powder fresh.
- If you have bought many organic red chilies, then it is better to dry them out on the kitchen counter. After getting rid of moisture, you can keep them in an airtight container and place them in a cool and humid-free space.
- When you have packed and ground chili powder, it will last longer than the unpacked one. Just pour it into an airtight bowl and place it in the refrigerator. Unrefrigerated chili powder tends to lose its colorfast as the chemical compounds break down due to heat.
- Lastly, unpacked chili powder can be simply kept away in the refrigerator. However, ensure that it is placed away from fruits that produce ethylene gas and moisture. Such fruits and veggies can exacerbate the aging in chili powder and turn it rancid.
- If you are adamant about keeping your chili powder on the kitchen counter for the sake of aestheticism, then you have to store it in airtight vessels only. Also, keep it away from any water source and light.
See More:
Ingredient:
Chilli, Rice bran edible oil pet more than 2%. [Saturated fat – 3%, Trans fat – 0.1% ]
Nutrition Facts
100 servings per container
Serving size: 1tsp (5g)
| Nutrients | Amount per serving | %Daily Value |
| Calories | 20 | |
| Total Fat | 1 g | 1% |
| Sodium | 0 mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 3 g | 1% |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g | 8% |
| Protein | < 1 g | |
| Iron | 0.7 mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 85 mg | 2% |
Not a significant source of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, total sugar, added sugar, vitamin D, and calcium.
How To Tell If It Has Gone Bad?
Now that you are aware of pragmatic storage tactics for chili powder, it makes sense to learn about the symptoms of its spoilage. Let’s dive in and see some signs which clearly indicate that your treasured chili powder might have gone bad.
- If moisture has already entered the packaging, then it is appropriate to discard chili powder.
- Any signs of mold on the container or the surface of chili powder means it’s spoiled. So, throw it away instead of sieving the powder as mold tends to invade the complete content of any vessel.
- Although it is highly unlikely, sometimes chili powder turns rancid and gives off a foul odor. In such scenarios, get rid of it.
- Lastly, if chili powder or red peppers taste “funny” or less spicy, then they are probably way past their expiry dates. So, throw them away without any thought. After all, it is better to err on the side of caution.
Is it OK to Grind Chili Powder In Advance?
Yes, you can definitely grind red peppers in advance to create your homemade chili powder. Even this powdered spice can last up to 2 years if stored properly in a cool and dry place. So, you need to make sure that chili powder is kept in the kitchen pantry away from moisture. Refrigerating this powder can prevent discoloration for a very long time. Remember that raw red peppers tend to last longer than ground chili powder.
You might be interested in our article on Can You Freeze Chili as well and understand the tips to extend the shelf life.
FAQs on Does Chili Powder Go Bad
1. Does chili powder go rancid?
Yes, if exposed to a lot of moisture, chili powder and even red peppers can go rancid. However, similar to other spices and dried herbs, red chili powder doesn’t go bad in a way that it becomes unfair for eating. It simply loses its flavor and rich color over time, thereby making it useless.
2. Does chili powder get bugs?
According to horticulture experts, bugs love to burrow into heaps of spices obtained from paprika. Unfortunately, chili powder is one of the most prominent condiments derived from red peppers aka paprika. So, before using your stored chili powder, sieve it through to detect any bug invasion. Keeping it in the refrigerator can prevent this.
3. Is it okay to use expired chili powder?
Sure! You can use chili powder even beyond its expiry date as it has no health consequences. The only thing you will be losing out on is rich flavor and optimum spiciness. However, you should vehemently avoid consuming chili powder infested with mold or bugs.
Summary
We sincerely hope that this article answered all your questions about chili powder. If you are one of those self-made cooks, then you cannot afford to ignore the quality and storage of your ingredients. Therefore, we explained everything about the shelf life, expiry dates, storage tactics, and grinding chili powder in detail.
The chemical compounds inside chili powder can actively boost metabolic rates, thereby burning more calories. Stay tuned for more such interesting and fun articles like Can Cinnamon Go Bad and about your favorite food items and beverages.