Chocolate syrup is in nearly everyone’s household, whether you are an avid ice cream sundae lover or you add it to many recipes. Because you probably always have it on hand, it is important to know when it goes bad and how to tell.
Proper storage for chocolate syrup is essential, as it can spoil and grow mold otherwise. An unopened bottle of chocolate syrup usually lasts between 12 and 18 months, and should be used by the expiration date. If the bottle of chocolate syrup has been opened, it can last up to six months in either your refrigerator or freezer.
Let’s dive in to how to tell if chocolate syrup has gone bad, different methods of storage, and what alternatives to use if you do not have it on hand!
Contents
- Does Chocolate Syrup Go Bad Over Time?
- How Can You Tell If Chocolate Syrup Has Gone Bad?
- How Do You Properly Store Chocolate Syrup?
- Does Chocolate Syrup Go Bad After Opening?
- Can You Get Sick From Consuming Old Chocolate Syrup?
- Does Chocolate Syrup Have Dairy?
- Alternatives to Chocolate Syrup
- Final Thoughts
- Related Questions
Does Chocolate Syrup Go Bad Over Time?
Like most things, the shelf life of a product depends on the manufacturing process, ingredients used, and storage techniques. As for storage, food items can remain fresh for longer if they remain unopened. In this state, they are sealed tightly and can see out a best before date or use-by date. However, opening products like chocolate syrup changes things and lessens the time the product can be stored for before it spoils. Even so, an opened jar of chocolate syrup stored in a refrigerator can last up to six months from the date it was opened.
How Can You Tell If Chocolate Syrup Has Gone Bad?
Before tasting your chocolate syrup to see if it has spoiled, you should look for visual clues instead. The most obvious one is mold growth on the surface of the chocolate syrup itself. This can sometimes add a blue tinge to the appearance.
Additional signs that the chocolate syrup is no longer fit for human consumption are if it has thickened, changed color, or the syrup has separated from the chocolate. If you find that the visual signs are inconclusive, you can always do a smell test instead. Chocolate syrup has a pleasant aroma, and any other scent should indicate that the chocolate syrup has outstayed its welcome.
The deal clincher in deciding whether your chocolate syrup has gone bad is in how it tastes. If the appearance and smell are normal, but the chocolate syrup has been sitting around for some considerable time, a small taste test is a guaranteed way of telling you whether the product has run its course and should be thrown out.
How Do You Properly Store Chocolate Syrup?
While chocolate syrup can have a longer shelf life, storing it properly allows you to get the most bang for your buck. How you keep it depends on whether or not it has been opened and when you intend to use it. Follow the instructions below to ensure your chocolate syrup’s quality lasts as long as possible.
How to Store Chocolate Syrup
- Try to keep your chocolate syrup in its original container or an airtight glass jar.
- Find a cool, dark place that is adequate for preventing mold growth and general spoiling. Make sure the storage area’s temperature stays consistent, as this will allow unopened chocolate syrup to last for many months.
- If your chocolate syrup container has been opened and you plan on consuming it sooner rather than later, keep it in the refrigerator in its original bottle or jar. Once the chocolate syrup has been opened, its shelf life reduces by six months.
- If you have opened the bottle and are not planning on finishing the contents any time soon, you can even store it in the freezer. It can stay in the freezer for six months before the product quality is affected. Once you take the syrup out of the freezer, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. You can then heat it up in the microwave to return it its original taste and consistency.
Does Chocolate Syrup Go Bad After Opening?
Chocolate syrup does not spoil easily, especially when it is stored correctly. Even though it has an extra-long shelf life, this shortens drastically if opened, like all other products.
A closed bottle of chocolate syrup can last between twelve and eighteen months before the texture changes and the flavor fades. Once the expiration date has passed, there is an excellent chance of mold growing directly in the syrup.
This means that chocolate syrup can spoil even if it remains closed, but this again is down to storage and keeping the product for many months after its best before or use-by date.
Can You Get Sick From Consuming Old Chocolate Syrup?
It is not advisable to use any food products that have passed their expiration dates. You could risk getting sick, and the experience you have while consuming these old products will not be the one the manufacturer intended for the consumer to have. Some foods are safer to consume past the expiration date than others.
A prominent example of what to avoid when it has expired is meat, as it can make you extremely ill. However, eating something like old chocolate syrup will result in an upset stomach at the worst, as it will not contain anything extremely harmful such as bacteria that grows in many other out-of-date foods. Moldy chocolate syrup certainly should be avoided, though.
Does Chocolate Syrup Have Dairy?
Many individuals cannot tolerate dairy products because of the lactose content. Ingesting dairy products can bring on a whole host of unpleasant digestive symptoms for these unfortunate few.
The good news is that the majority of chocolate syrups are dairy-free. The most common ingredients in chocolate syrup are cocoa powder, sugar, water, corn syrup, malt, and vanilla extract. This means that chocolate syrup can be used to enhance dairy-free desserts for those who exclude dairy from their diet. It is also delicious when added to meals such as pancakes for a breakfast treat. However, while chocolate syrup doesn’t include dairy, it isn’t necessarily healthy. Factory-produced chocolate syrup can sometimes also use high fructose corn syrup during the manufacturing process, and this can make consumers look for alternatives that utilize better ingredients.
Alternatives to Chocolate Syrup
If you can’t find your usual chocolate syrup or fancy a healthier alternative instead, then other products can be used as substitutes for chocolate syrup. However, the other options are not a like for like swap. Most have the same sweetness and texture rather than an identical flavor.
Beekeeper’s Naturals Superfood Cacao Honey
Honey is a healthier alternative to chocolate syrup, and there is no compromise on texture or sweetness. Again, it can be used on pancakes, and honey can boost the flavors of many desserts.
There are various types of honey available on the market, and each has its own unique flavor. Some honey also has antibacterial properties and can help fight off colds and other infections.
Tree Juice Chocolate Maple Syrup
Maple syrup has a rich color and texture, and its sweetness also makes it an excellent chocolate syrup alternative.
In addition, the syrup contains vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, which is impressive for a product that usually accompanies foods such as cakes and biscuits!
The Australian Carob Co. Pure Carob Syrup
Carob syrup is made from extracts of carob pods. It has a subtly sweet taste that makes it highly versatile. It can be used in tea, coffee, cereals, pancakes, and baking in general. Not only is it a substitute for chocolate syrup, it can also be used as a healthier alternative to sugar!
Final Thoughts
Chocolate syrup is a stapel for many people, and knowing how to store it can determine how long you have a single bottle in your kitchen. After being opened, the syrup typically lasts six months before it has the potential to grow mold. At this point, it is important that it is discarded. If you find yourself without chocolate syrup in a time you need it because of this reason, you can always replace it with honey, maple syrup, or carob syrup!
Related Questions
Is Chocolate Syrup Vegan?
Veganism is one of the fastest-growing diets on the planet, although it is not necessarily a diet for many people. This is because it also has the aspects of a social movement that is thought to be healthy for humans and beneficial in the fight against climate change. Chocolate syrup does not contain any animal products, and it is not even manufactured with milk, making it a sweet treat for vegans to enjoy. Cocoa powder, sugar, water, and corn syrup are the main ingredients, and none of these are derived from animals.
Is Chocolate Syrup Gluten-Free?
For the most part, chocolate syrup is gluten-free, although some manufacturers add malt extract to their chocolate syrup recipes. Because of this, it is always helpful to check the labels. However, for all the celiacs and gluten intolerance sufferers out there, the majority of chocolate syrups are suitable for gluten-free diets, especially those that contain no malt whatsoever.
Does Chocolate Syrup Have Caffeine?
Chocolate syrup does contain caffeine, and there is between 3mg and 5mg of caffeine in two tablespoons of chocolate syrup. This amount marks chocolate syrup as a low caffeine-containing food. Therefore, it can be used by those who watch their daily caffeine intake for whatever reason, whether it is on health grounds or part of a daily dieting routine.