How Long Does Quinoa Last?: Those who opt for a gluten-free diet are constantly on the hunt for Quinoa, and if you are one of them, then you might be wondering How Long Quinoa Last.
Unlike its more famous counterpart, rice, information about Quinoa’s shelf-life, storage requirements, signs of spoilage, and more, are not widely known to people.
So, we are here to answer all your questions and even give you tips and tricks to enjoy and preserve your Quinoa safely. Keep reading to learn more.
- Can Quinoa Go Bad?
- How Long Does Quinoa Last in the Freezer?
- How To Store Quinoa?
- Can You Freeze Quinoa?
- How to Tell If Quinoa Has Gone Bad?
- Intriguing Facts About Quinoa
- How can I tell if quinoa has gone bad?
- Can quinoa be stored long-term?
- How long can you store raw quinoa?
- Can you eat 2-year-old quinoa?
Can Quinoa Go Bad?
Yes, Quinoa can go bad. Cooked Quinoa goes bad faster than uncooked Quinoa, so we recommend that you eat it as soon as possible. Once it has gone bad, you should definitely throw it away since eating it can be dangerous.
However, storing Quinoa in the fridge can delay the Quinoa from going bad sooner. Check how long Quinoa can last without spoiling down below.
How Long Does Quinoa Last in the Freezer?
Quinoa’s shelf life depends on whether it is cooked or uncooked. Both of these options have different periods of shelf life.
As you can see, uncooked Quinoa lasts much longer than cooked Quinoa, but that is to be expected. Uncooked Quinoa lasts for a little more time after its’ ‘Best By’ date. It usually starts deteriorating in quality after 2 to 3 years, so you must always double-check it inside the package to ensure that it hasn’t gone bad.
Meanwhile, once you have cooked the Quinoa, it will only stay fresh for about 6 to 7 days, in the refrigerator. If you keep it out, then it will become spoiled faster. Therefore, it is best to cook Quinoa and eat it as soon as possible.
| In the Pantry | In the Fridge | In the Freezer | |
| Raw Quinoa | 6 to 12 months After the expiry date | 2 to 3 years | 2 to 3 years |
| Cooked Quinoa | – | 6 -7 days | 8 -12 Months |
How To Store Quinoa?
For uncooked Quinoa, all you need to do is store it in a dry and cool area of the house, for example, your pantry. Even if you cannot store it in a cool place, it is okay to store it at room temperature as well. As long as you do not let any moisture reach the Quinoa seeds, they will not go bad.
To prevent moisture from reaching the seeds, you must store the Quinoa in airtight containers or bags. If it is unopened, you can simply store it in its’ original package itself since it is usually airtight. But if you have opened the package that it comes in, it is best to move the Quinoa seeds into an airtight container and store it accordingly.
If you wish to store cooked Quinoa, then make sure you let it cool down to room temperature first for a few hours, and then transfer it into an airtight container. Lastly, you can pop the container into your fridge to store it easily!
Also, Refer
Can You Freeze Quinoa?
Yes, you can freeze Quinoa. Freezing is a great way to preserve your Quinoa for a longer period of time, and increase its shelf life.
Simply wait till it’s completely cool, and put it into a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container. Then, make sure to push the air out of the bag, and seal it thoroughly. Next, just label the container with the date, so it will be easy to determine whether it is safe to eat in the future. Finally, you can pop it into the freezer.
How to Tell If Quinoa Has Gone Bad?
- Uncooked Quinoa has mold or discoloration: If your uncooked Quinoa is showing signs of mold or any other color changes, then it is best to discard the entire package. Or, cook it to see if it has gone bad.
- Cooked Quinoa has mold or discoloration: If cooked Quinoa is showing any of these signs, then we recommend that you simply discard the meal.
- Unpleasant taste or smell: You will automatically know when your cooked Quinoa is spoiled if it exhibits a bad smell or has a weird taste. In this case, you can just toss the Quinoa out since it will be dangerous to consume.
Intriguing Facts About Quinoa
- Even though it is a seed, it is usually considered to be a grain or cereal.
- It is famously known as a pseudocereal grain.
- Has quercetin and kaempferol, which are antioxidants that prevent and subside inflammation in the human body.
- Is known as a complete protein because it has such a high amount of protein in the form of 9 important amino acids.
- Does not contain gluten, so it is very popular among those with gluten-free diets, gluten allergies, and intolerance.
FAQs on How Long Does Quinoa Last
1. How can I tell if quinoa has gone bad?
Usually, I can determine if your Quinoa is spoiled if you see any mold or discolorations. Also, you might be able to smell an unpleasant odor, or it might taste weird. If your Quinoa has gone bad, discard it entirely.
2. Can quinoa be stored long term?
Yes, raw Quinoa can be stored long term i.e up to 3 years in a dry environment. You have to remove air from the Quinoa package and place it in an airtight container to increase its shelf life.
3. How long can you store raw quinoa?
The raw quinoa can be stored for 2 to 3 years in the refrigerator or freezer.
4. Can you eat 2 year old quinoa?
Yes, you can eat 2 year old uncooked Quinoa if it doesn’t have any signs of spoilage.
Key Takeaways
Quinoa is one of the most trending meals these days, because of its gluten-free nature. It is also packed with vitamins, nutrients, and protein, which make Quinoa a successful alternative to rice. But keep in mind that it also has a certain shelf life to Consider. Uncooked Quinoa lasts much longer than cooked Quinoa, and freezing is a viable option to increase its shelf life. Want to learn more about how long foods last? All you have to do is hop on to Canfoodgobad.com and discover our content.