Shelf Life Tips
- How long do hard candies last? The precise answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep hard candies in a cool, dry area.
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To maximize the shelf life of hard candies after opening, place in tightly sealed airtight container or heavy-duty plastic bag.
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How long do hard candies last at room temperature? Properly stored, hard candies will last for about 12 months at normal room temperature.
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Should you refrigerate hard candies? In hot, humid environments, hard candies should be stored in the refrigerator.
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How long do hard candies last in the refrigerator? Hard candies will keep well for about 12 months in the refrigerator.
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Can you freeze hard candies? Yes, freeze hard candies in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
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How long do hard candies last in the freezer? Properly stored, hard candies 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 - hard candies that have been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
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Are hard candies 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 hard candies 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 hard candies will remain at peak quality.
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How to tell if hard candies are bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the hard candies: discard any that have an off smell or appearance; if mold appears, discard the hard candies.
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