Shelf Life Tips
- How long do jelly beans last? The precise answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep jelly beans in a cool, dry area.
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To maximize the shelf life of jelly beans after opening, place in tightly sealed airtight container or heavy-duty plastic bag.
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How long do jelly beans last at room temperature? Properly stored, jelly beans will last for about 10 months at normal room temperature.
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Should you refrigerate jelly beans? In hot, humid environments, jelly beans should be stored in the refrigerator.
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How long do jelly beans last in the refrigerator? Jelly beans will keep well for about 10 months in the refrigerator.
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Can you freeze jelly beans? Yes, freeze jelly beans in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
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How long do jelly beans last in the freezer? Properly stored, jelly beans will maintain best quality for about 12 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
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The freezer time shown is for best quality only - jelly beans that have been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
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Are jelly beans safe to use after the "expiration" date on the package? Yes, provided they are properly stored, the package is undamaged and there are no signs of spoilage (see below) - commercially packaged jelly beans will typically carry a "Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before," or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the jelly beans will remain at peak quality.
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How to tell if jelly beans are bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the jelly beans: discard any that have an off smell or appearance; if mold appears, discard the jelly beans.
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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
