Does Coconut Flour Go Bad?: For a paleo diet or an alternative to gluten and allergic foods, coconut flour is a hit amongst health enthusiasts worldwide. Coconut flour is a gluten-free, soft powder made by grinding dried coconut. It is an excellent alternative to all-purpose and wheat flour.
Coconut flour is better than other flour because it has high amounts of protein, fiber, and a relatively low amount of carbohydrates. Read on to find out more about this health food’s shelf life, storage, interesting facts, and much more!
- Does Coconut Flour Go Bad?
- How to Store Coconut Flour?
- Can You Freeze Coconut Flour?
- How Long Does Coconut Flour Last?
- Signs that your Coconut Flour Has Gone Bad
- Interesting Facts About Coconut Flour
- Is it safe to use expired coconut flour?
- Is Coconut Flour A Good Thickener?
- Does coconut flour have black specks in it?
- What is coconut flour best for?
Does Coconut Flour Go Bad?
Yes, coconut flour can go bad. Coconut flour is a type of nut flour with high amounts of oil present in it. Due to the presence of nut oils, coconut flour is prone to oxidation and rancidity. Like any other edible item, coconut flour can also expire or get spoiled, sooner if left in open and later if stored properly. That means yes, coconut flour might go bad, or at least stale, at some point.
How to Store Coconut Flour?
When it comes to storage, coconut flour is not the same as other normal flour. Here are some important points on coconut flour storage:
Storing The Coconut Flour In The Pantry
Yes, you can comfortably store coconut flour in the pantry. If you are planning to store the coconut flour in your pantry, don’t forget to keep it in an airtight container.
You can comfortably store an unopened coconut flour box in your pantry or kitchen cabinet, provided it’s in a dry and dark place away from heat sources. That said, it’s best to store opened flour in your refrigerator or freezer.
Storing The Coconut Flour In The Refrigerator
Yes, it’s highly recommended to store the coconut flour in the refrigerator. Both opened or unopened coconut flour packets are best stored in your fridge. This is because colder temperatures increase the shelf life of coconut flour by reducing any risks of spoilage and oxidation.
As mentioned, the store-opened flour in an airtight container prevents it from absorbing any fridge odors that can affect its flavor. Also, it will prevent your flour from spoiling.
Can You Freeze Coconut Flour?
Yes, you can even freeze the coconut flour. If you want to keep your coconut flour for months and months, we recommend putting it in the freezer to extend its shelf life.
If coconut flour is packaged in plastic packs or cardboard containers, it’s possible to place it in your freezer on its own. Please place it in its original container for opened coconut flour, seal it, and place the package in your clean freezer bag.
How Long Does Coconut Flour Last?
Everything comes to an end one day. Similarly, coconut flour has the following shelf life:
Seal tight Coconut Flour: Keep sealed coconut flour in your pantry for up to 3-6 months after the best-by date. When the coconut flour is stored in the fridge, it lasts 6–12 months after its best-by date. If you store the coconut flour in the freezer, it can last for 1-2 years beyond the best-by date.
Open box of Coconut Flour: Once opened, coconut flour will remain in your pantry until the expiration date, and it will last in your fridge for 3-6 months after its best date. If stored in the freezer, it lasts for 6–12 months after its best-by date.
Kindly note that these dates are merely estimates. Temperature, light exposure, storage, and other factors all have a significant impact on the shelf life of coconut flour. At times, coconut flour goes rancid quickly, especially if it’s stored way past its expiration date.
Pantry | Fridge | Freezer |
---|---|---|
Unopened Package | “Best by” + 3 – 6 months | “Best by” + 6 – 12 months |
Opened Package | “Best-by” | “Best by” + 3 – 6 months |
You might be interested in other articles on coconut as well like Can Coconut Water Go Bad, etc.
Signs that your Coconut Flour Has Gone Bad
If you forgot when you bought your coconut flour without a best-by date to refer to, here are the signs that tell you your coconut flour has gone bad:
- Clumpy Flour: Check for any clumps in your coconut flour. It’s normal to have a few small clumps. But if it’s too clumpy and looks wet or hardened, it’s time to let go of it. Big or wet clumps are formed due to moisture exposure and indicate spoilage of your coconut flour.
- Mold or Discoloration: Look for any signs of mold or discoloration. Coconut flour should ideally have a light cream to ivory color. If you spot any molds or it’s a different color than when you first got it, throw the flour away.
- Weird Smell: Coconut flour should normally have a sweet and nutty aroma. If it smells off or even vile, it’s a clear sign of spoilage. It’s time to chuck it out.
- Taste Test: Only taste-test a visibly spoiled product when push comes to shove! Fresh coconut flour tastes slightly sweet and nutty. If your coconut flour has a sour or slightly bitter taste, don’t try salvaging it.
- Insects in the Flour: Nothing else indicates spoilage as clearly as the tiny insects crawling inside an expired product. If you see some insects in the coconut flour, you’ll have to get rid of the whole thing. There are times when coconut flour goes rancid quickly, this happens due to improper storage. There’s no point in using the coconut flour past its expiration. Better dispose of the bad coconut flour that tastes off or has insects in it.
Interesting Facts About Coconut Flour
- Coconut is rich in fiber and protein, it’s an incredible option for balancing blood sugar levels. Coconut flour beats out any grain and most other sources of non-soy plant-based foods in matters of proteins, thus it’s rightly tagged as a superfood.
- Coconut flour is not a grain, and hence it is gluten-free. It’s highly recommended for keto and paleo diets by anti-gluten enthusiasts.
- It has a lower glycemic index rating than wheat flour, meaning its carbohydrates are digested slowly. Coconut flour also contains more fiber and protein than wheat flour. Thus, coconut flour might help improve digestion.
Read More:
FAQs on Can Coconut Flour Go Bad
1. Is it safe to use expired coconut flour?
Yes, you can use coconut flour after the best-by date, if there are no visible signs of deterioration.
Best-by dates are only estimates stated by the manufacturer to guarantee their coconut flour maintains prime quality prior to its expiry date.
2. Is Coconut Flour A Good Thickener?
Yes, it can be used to thicken soups, gravies, stews, and desserts. Coconut milk and cream are natural thickening agents. You can use coconut flour as a thickener by diluting it with water until your dish reaches the desired consistency.
3. Does coconut flour have black specks in it?
Yes, coconut flour has a white to light brown color and sometimes a few brown spots from the coconut meat’s brown skin, which is natural.
4. What is coconut flour best for?
Coconut flour is a hit in the baking industry, particularly paleo, grain- and gluten-free baking. Cookies, bread, and muffins taste better with coconut flour as it adds a natural sweetness to the baked delights.
Conclusion
Besides using it as a thickener, coconut flour can be used to make many mouth-watering dishes such as cakes, banana bread, pancakes, bread, and more!
Hope we were able to feed your curiosity about whether coconut flour goes bad, its storage, and shelf life along with some interesting coconut facts. So, go ahead and enjoy this superfood and comment on your experience of using coconut flour. Continue learning about the shelf life of edibles in our other informative blog posts on Can Coconut Oil Go Bad and similar ones.