Dried fruit is one of the go-to healthy snacks, and it isn’t hard to see why. However, have you ever wondered ‘how long does dried fruit last’? This might not be something that you have ever thought about, because it always seems to last forever – or you eat it all before you can ever worry about it.
These delicious snacks, whether you want to get delicious pitted dates, banana chips, or figs, do actually have a shelf life and ‘best before’ date. It would be convenient to think that snacks like these will never go off because of how they are preserved, but there’s no such luck, unfortunately.
So, how long does dried fruit last? We will cover what you need to know below.
A lot of dried fruit, like apricots, are the perfect snack item just on its own, but it can also be used in recipes. Dried fruits salads are also snackable, so you can easily just grab a small handful and enjoy a sweet treat no matter the time of day.
You can also enjoy your dried fruit with a selection of healthy and nutritious nuts, whether you want to mix and match them yourself or get a dried fruit and raw nut mix from us.
You can also do a lot of baking with dried fruit, with common recipes including fruit cakes, fruit mince pies, and all sorts of other creations. Dried ingredients like crystallised ginger chunks and currants are especially popular in baking, so why not give them a try if you are ever in the mood for baking something a bit different?
How long does dried fruit last? The answer depends, but the general rule is that dried fruit will last 6–12 months. However, this can vary depending on a number of factors – from what fruit you have to how you are storing the food.
When stored in the ideal conditions, your fruit should last up to 12 months.
With that being said, if you choose to freeze your dried fruit, it will be safe to eat indefinitely. This is the case with any frozen food, provided it remains at the correct freezing temperature.
Technically, no. Some dried fruit, like raisins, prunes, figs, mangos, blueberries, and plums can last longer than other types. Also, unopened containers will last longer than bags or containers that are being used or have been opened.
So, if you bought dried fruit in preparation for something a few months in the future, make sure that you don’t open it until you need to. This way, you can get maximum flavour and the best texture when the time comes.
If you want your dried fruit to last as long as possible, you need to make sure that you store it correctly. To do this, all you need to do is ensure that your fruit is kept in an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dry, and dark place.
The best type of container to use would be glass, as this will allow you to see if there is any moisture build-up. You can also keep it in the freezer or fridge if you want to go the extra step. However, this should be unnecessary if you plan on using the fruit in the near future.
You should always be on the lookout for food that has gone bad when you are in the kitchen. Not only is food that is past its prime not as tasty as it used to be (or plain disgusting), but eating food that has gone off can result in you getting sick.
Since no one wants to experience food poisoning or an upset stomach, you should remember what to look for when handling your dried fruit.
Depending on what caused your dry fruit to go off, you might notice that dry fruit that has gone past its prime is either:
Faded in colour or dull
Mouldy
Slimy
Any other discolouration that looks suspicious
The fruit might look darker than it should be, or lighter. If you look at it and are not sure if the fruit has gone off or not, consider giving it a sniff.
If you choose to give your dried fruit a whiff, you should look out for a fermented or sour smell. That, or any other unpleasant smell that is coming from the container or bag.
Remember – the type of smell may vary depending on why your dried fruit went off. So, have an open mind and if you notice that your fruit just doesn’t smell how you think it should, then it has probably gone off.
If the smell of the fruit has simply faded, this should be nothing to worry about. If a non-airtight container was used, some of the fruit’s smell and potency may be lost, but this doesn’t mean that it is no longer safe to eat.
Finally, if all else fails (and you’re brave enough), you can taste a tiny bit of the fruit. This really should be a last resort, and if you think the fruit has gone off before getting to this step, it’s usually best to not bother tasting it.
If you must, though, look out for either a bitter or sour taste. Your fruit should probably be sweet, but this sweetness will disappear once it starts to go off.
Like a lot of foods, the expiry date isn’t the issue when it comes to dried fruit. You can purchase a bag of dried mangos and keep them in the freezer for two years, and it will still be perfectly fine to consume.
The issue comes when the dried fruit is stored incorrectly. Because of this, it’s crucial that you follow the storage instructions and extend the shelf life for as long as reasonably possible.
Eating expired dried fruit will likely have no negative effect on you, provided it has been stored right and there are no signs of spoilage. The fruit might be a bit tougher than usual, making it hard to chew, but there should be no other notable issues.
In the case that you eat dried fruit that has spoiled, you may experience food poisoning symptoms such as:
Nausea
Vomiting
Stomach aches and discomfort
Diarrhoea
Bear in mind that these symptoms are only likely to occur if your dried fruit has spoiled due to moisture getting into the fruit to allow mould and bacteria growth. These things can cause foodborne illnesses. So, any sign of mould or a rancid smell, and you should throw the fruit away.
When it comes to dried fruit, Natural Health 4 Life has everything you could want – all processed and packaged to perfection. We only want to supply you with the best, so we take special care in making sure that all of our products are not only delicious, but safe.
Whether you choose to buy your neck dried fruit snacks with us or from your local grocery store, you need to know how to store your dried fruit. We take health and wellbeing seriously, and we want to equip you with all the information you need to stay informed and keep yourself safe.
Now that you know the answer to the question ‘how long does dried fruit last’, you should feel a bit better knowing that those raisins in the cupboard are probably fine – but you should still give them a sniff.
