[Donna]

Someone gave me vanilla beans but it was expired on 6/2024. Is still safe to use them, right?

They’ve been stored properly in a cool, dark place, and they look and smell fine.

I understand that the expiration date is more of a guideline, but I’m unsure whether they might lose their flavor or develop any harmful substances over time.

I’d love to hear from others who have experience with using vanilla beans past their expiration date or anyone knowledgeable about the shelf life of such ingredients.

What are the potential risks, if any, of using them now? Would they still provide the same quality of flavor in my baking or cooking?

Any advice or experiences shared would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you all for the response.

[Walter]

They’re still good.
There might be some white crystal deposits on the beans.
That’s crystallized vanillin and not mold.

Beans with crystals actually indicate a high quality product with a higher than normal vanillin content.

Mold will be fuzzy and smell bad.

Vanillin will look like crystals or sand grains and smell like vanilla.

People that don’t regularly work with vanilla beans sometimes freak out over ones that have white deposits and throw them out because it’s uncommon.

But it’s a good thing not a bad one

[Maureen]

For sure, mine expired in 2019 and I’m still using them. You can Freeze pods as well

[Kirsten]

Yes! We make homemade vanilla now with them and it’s so easy I can’t believe it took so long to try it.

[Jenny]

Make vanilla extract with them! There are lots of recipes on YouTube.

[Barbara]

They last much longer. Too long and they dry out.

[Author]

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