The quality of brown sugar is best when consumed within six months of purchase and opening. Don't store brown sugar in the refrigerator. However, if you are in a very dry area or are going to keep it for a long time, you may want to freeze it. Thaw frozen sugar and use a fork to separate clumps before using.
Spoilage Signs
Discard the sugar the moment you see bugs or other insects. Mold growth or other types of organic growth won't appear on brown sugar unless it gets wet. If you notice any mold, throw the sugar away.
As mentioned, brown sugar doesn't expire. It has a shelf life of roughly two years but can last longer if you store it properly. If you have kept your brown sugar in the pantry for several years, you can still use it as long as there is no bug contamination, bad smells, or mold growing.
Even though the shelf life of brown sugar is indefinite, it's best to use it within two years of purchase for maximum flavor. Don't store brown sugar in the refrigerator.
The quality of brown sugar is best when consumed within six months of purchase and opening. Don't store brown sugar in the refrigerator. However, if you are in a very dry area or are going to keep it for a long time, you may want to freeze it. Thaw frozen sugar and use a fork to separate clumps before using.
Just place your block of brown sugar in a microwave-safe bowl. Wet a paper towel and squeeze until just slightly damp. Lay the paper towel over the brown sugar and microwave it in 20-second intervals, loosening the sugar with a fork between each interval, until the sugar has returned to its normal texture.
The first example of bad sugar is bugs. Like all sugars, the sugary deliciousness of brown sugar can attract ants and other bugs. If you see any signs of bug life, alive or dead, you should dispose of and replace your brown sugar. The second instance is mold.
Technically, sugar never spoils. While it's recommended that granulated sugar be discarded after two years, chances are it will still serve its baking purpose even beyond that. The same guidelines apply to brown sugar and confectioner's or powdered sugar.
Over time, even in an airtight container, brown sugar can harden and/or start to turn white (as the sugar dries, some of the molasses separates. Creating a humid environment will allow the brown sugar to rehydrate to become pliable and brown.
Brown Sugar doesn't really "expire." However, it can absorb excess water if stored in a humid environment and lead to bacteria fermenting it (It would have an alcohol style smell and turn goopy) or pick up odors from its packaging or things that are nearby.
If you notice mold or any other organic growth, or there are bugs, eggs, or any other contaminants in the bag, you should discard the sugar. If your granulated sugar gets hard and lumpy, it means moisture found its way inside the bag ([USU]).
No, you cannot get botulism from brown sugar. Botulism is a rare and deadly form of food poisoning caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. This bacteria cannot grow in environments where very little oxygen is present, such as sealed containers and sealed food packages.
We tackled this problem in our test kitchen and discovered that stale brown sugar can be salvaged and softened. You can also keep a brand-new bag as soft as wet sand, indefinitely.
Unless you store it properly, what was a soft, fluffy package of brown sugar granules will have hardened into a dense brown lump you could break windows with. It's still safe to eat, but there's no way you can measure it accurately for a recipe until it's soft and grainy again.
Brown sugar is definitely a healthier option than refined white sugar. It is processed in a completely natural way to maintain as much of the sugarcane's natural nutrition as possible, including vitamins and minerals.
Just make sure the container is airtight. Next, put a marshmallow in the container. This will keep the brown sugar soft, owing to the moisture in the marshmallow. You can also use a slice of white bread, or a couple cut-up wedges of apple, both of which have enough moisture to do the job, too.
Packaging. Storage containers should be opaque, airtight, and moisture/ odor-proof. The typical retail paper package for crystal sugars is not suitable for long term storage. Polyethylene bags, Mylar-type bags, food-grade plastic buckets, glass canning jars, and #10 cans are all suitable for dry sugar storage.
Brown sugar is made by coating white sugar with molasses. When brown sugar is soft, it is because the molasses is fresh and damp, allowing the sugar crystals to easily move against one another. When brown sugar is exposed to air, the moisture of the brown sugar evaporates as the molasses begins to dry out.
Brown sugar is simply regular sugar with molasses added. Molasses gives the sugar its signature color and a richer flavor.
The brown particles were ultimately identified as charred sugar particles with scattered specks of steel corrosion (likely from low alloy steel) on the surface. This information can be used to narrow down the search for possible sources of the brown particles in the bulk sugar sample.
By far, the quickest way to soften hardened brown sugar is to use your microwave. Just place the brown sugar in a microwave-safe bowl. Then either place a damp paper towel on top of the bowl or fill another microwave-safe bowl with water. Place the bowl(s) in the microwave.
Granulated sugar will harden when exposed to any type of moisture. Here is an easy way to make hardened granulated sugar soft again -- Preheat oven to lowest temperature, 150-200 degrees. Remove sugar from the package and put in an ovenproof container that will hold the sugar.
Unlike other sugars, brown sugar hardens when exposed to air. This is because molasses loses moisture, making the sugar crystals stick to themselves. So, if it's kept in an unsealed bag or a non-airtight container, it'll likely become hard as a rock.
Brown sugar side effects may include:
fatty liver disease. heart disease. high blood sugar levels. several chronic conditions, type 2 diabetes *when consumed excessively.