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Cooking & Baking

In reply to the discussion: Does chocolate go bad?? [View all]

ProfessorGAC

(73,907 posts)
11. Very Unlikely
Sun May 11, 2025, 06:11 PM
May 2025

There's an abundance of sugar & very little moisture, so it won't support microbial growth. Lack of bacteria also makes the chance the milk protein can curdle is extremely low.
In addition, theobromine, the alkaloid that contributes most to chocolate's flavor, is a close relative to caffeine.
To bugs & other tiny critters, it's toxic.
What can happen is that the fats can separate from the cocoa solids, leaving a white bloom on the surface. But, that's only a physical, not chemical change.
My technical opinion is that chocolate will be fine to eat.
Courtesy of your friendly, neighborhood chemist.

Recommendations

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Does chocolate go bad?? [View all] littlemissmartypants May 2025 OP
Take a bite...theyre probably still good !!! Karadeniz May 2025 #1
That's what Cleopatra said wolfie001 May 2025 #6
It's possible, depends on weather. IF white-ish residue, might be 'gone,' elleng May 2025 #2
it's more than fine, when not exposed to air even milk chocolate is fine a year or more after expiration Shellback Squid May 2025 #3
Not in my house it doesn't! WestMichRad May 2025 #4
Mine, either! MIButterfly May 2025 #5
I just hope True Dough May 2025 #7
Even if it 'blooms' and gets whitish chowmama May 2025 #8
If it not white on the outside dlilafae May 2025 #9
Uhm its light brown, kozar May 2025 #10
Very Unlikely ProfessorGAC May 2025 #11
taste it. surrealAmerican May 2025 #12
The chocolate will be fine, kozar May 12 #13
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