Often old bags of brown sugar can be found tucked away…
…in a kitchen cupboard hidden from sight.
As you clean up the pantry or cupboard…
…you suddenly discover this half-open container of brown sugar…
…that you thought you finished a while ago.
A wave of confusion then sweeps over you as you wonder…
…”Can brown sugar go bad?’
There’s no question that brown sugar lasts a long time.
One of the biggest questions is, “how long?”.
Hardened brown sugar doesn’t seem to be safe to consume…
…since it tends to clump up after a while…
…and it clumps after being stored for a while.
Therefore, if you’d like to know the answers to these questions…
…as well as much more about brown sugar, keep reading!
Hold on! First, let’s hear Claire’s story.
I had a bag of brown sugar hiding in my pantry that I hadn’t noticed,
and I was going to use it for a cookie recipe today.
About a year has gone by since the brown sugar was there,
and it looks very tightly packed. I wonder if it is safe to use…
But then my friend told me that “being packed together is generally safe, just inconvenient.
Brown sugar does not expire,
but it does absorb excess water if kept in a humid environment causing it to ferment (Goop)
or pick up odors from its packaging or nearby items.”
Thus, i guess it is okay to use it…
Now, let’s jump right in!
Does Brown Sugar Go Bad?
Brown sugar has a significantly longer shelf life than other dessert ingredients.
Several years are required for safe storage.
Brown sugar is supposed to have a long shelf life if properly stored.
Brown sugar packages aren’t typically marked with an expiration date.
As a result, the common assumption is that it doesn’t go bad.
Brown sugar has an undisputed shelf life of eternity…
…because other factors are constant.
Keep in mind, however, that brown sugar can spoil…
…if it is not stored properly.
Therefore, how you store your produce determines how long it lasts.
Brown sugar can be stored for up to five years…
…in a suitable storage space that is safe for consumption.
In the end, you shouldn’t risk your health when it comes to food intake.
Purchase as much as you can consume in up to five years.
When brown sugar is stored excessively, it takes up more space…
…resulting in a multitude of other inconveniences in the scenario.
In order to be on the safe side…
…it’s best to estimate your monthly sugar requirements…
…and purchase a supply that will last for at least two years.
You might be wondering…
Health Benefits and Concerns of Brown Sugar
- One 2lb bag of Happy Belly Dark Brown Sugar
- Pure cane sugar
- Kosher
- Satisfaction Guarantee: We’re proud of our products. If you aren’t satisfied, we’ll refund you for any reason within a year of purchase. 1-877-485-0385
- An Amazon Brand
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Brown sugar is a simple carbohydrate…
…that provides quick energy (glucose) to the body and brain.
Brains prefer glucose for energy.
However, excess calories and carbohydrates from sugar…
…and other sources are stored as fat.
Sugar should be consumed in moderation, therefore.
In addition to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome…
…and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease…
…excessive sugar consumption is often blamed for increased rates of disease.
Despite this, some experts maintain…
…that when sugar is consumed at recommended levels…
…it does not increase the risk of disease.
According to the 2020-2025 USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans…
…sugar consumption should not exceed 10% of total calories each day.
It should be noted that everyone’s needs are different…
…so the recommended levels are not exact.
Find out what works best for your body based on the recommended amounts.
“Americans 2 years and older keep their intake of added sugars to less than 10% of their total daily calories. For example, in a 2,000 calorie diet, no more than 200 calories should come from added sugars (about 12 teaspoons). Children younger than 2 years should not be fed foods and beverages with added sugars at all.”
The 2020-2025 USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Here’s the best part..
Advice on Storing Brown Sugar
When stored properly, brown sugar can last for many years.
It’s normally stored in a pantry…
…but the location may not be ideal for brown sugar storage.
Here are some tips on how to properly store it, so it doesn’t go bad.
Storage Space Should be Cool and Dry
Brown sugar needs to be stored in a temperature-controlled environment.
You must remember that high temperatures ruin the texture of brown sugar.
This doesn’t necessarily make brown sugar unfit for consumption…
…but it is extremely unsightly.
Cool does not mean you should store sugar in your mini-fridge…
- COOL TO WARM: Cool up to 32°F (18°C) below ambient temperature, or keep warm up to 150°F (66°C) ，86°F (30°C) -64°F (18°C) within an hour, 86°F (30°C) -50°F (10°C) within 2 hours, 86°F (30°C)-37°F( 3°C) within 3 hours
- 4 LITERS OF CAPACITY: Store ! (6) 12 oz cans ! medications and skincare with ease; Inner dimensions are 5.5” x 5.3” x 8.07”; The removable shelf makes small items like breast milk, skincare, cosmetic, food, or medications easy to separate, best gift for women and girls
- AC/DC ADAPTERS: Two plugs are included for both standard wall outlets and 12V cigarette lighters in vehicles; NOTE: Make sure to only run your cooler/heater while your vehicle’s engine is on or you risk draining your vehicle’s battery
- ECO-FRIENDLY ENGINEERING: Semiconductor refrigeration chip is freon-free and environmentally friendly; Quiet technology keeps sound at a minimum ( 25dB ), so you can rest easy
- CE, FCC, ETL, RoHS certified; 3 Year Warranty provided by AstroAI - if you have any dissatisfaction with your product quality, please reach out to us immediat
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
…or counter-depth refrigerator.
The cold temperature of a fridge, combined with moisture…
…will significantly harden sugar.
Brown sugar is commonly stored in cupboards, pantries…
…or just convenient places in the kitchen.
If you store sugar in your kitchen…
…make sure it doesn’t get too close to your induction range or oven…
…which can distort its texture.
Also, do not let sugar come into contact with water.
As a good moisture absorber, sugar forms bonds, creating large clusters.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the sugar is bad…
…but rather that mixing it properly becomes more difficult.
Keep reading…
Use Sealed Bags or Enclosed Containers
- FOOD GRADE SAFE CELLO BAGS: Made by 100% new Oriented Polypropylene (OPP), non-toxic, odorless, environmentally friendly, clear than PP plastic bags;
- THICKER AND STRONGER: 4x6 inches (not include flap), Not Gusseted bottom, 1.4 mils (single side) thickness, crystal clear and stronger cello / cellophane bags have excellent quality, keeping the food and treats fresh and tasty for longer;
- WIDENED ADHESIVE SEALING STRIP: Widened adhesive sticks to ensure a more tight seal, package better, save fresh longer, can package biscuits, candy, a variety of snack nuts, with resealable self sealing and no need twist ties.
- BULK PACKAGE: Pack of 200 Cello bags, keep fresh and convenient store and re-use! Gift wrapping, Small business, Bakery package, Wedding Party favor, Home and Kitchen must-have!
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEED: We are confident you will love our BakeBaking Plastic Clear Cello Bags, You can be confident in buying it as we offer you quality and best service! Keeping you happy is our priority.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
It is ideal not to open the brown sugar packaging upon purchase.
The sugar needs to be poured into an airtight container…
…or sealed bag, if you’ve already opened the package.
The sugar will harden if there is trapped air in the container…
…as it can absorb immense moisture from the air.
Due to its sweet nature, this dried fruit is typically contaminated…
…with a variety of bugs, such as moths, ants, and flies.
Brown sugar usually goes bad due to contamination by these creatures.
Therefore, keeping it in an airtight container…
…or plastic bag can make all the difference in keeping it protected for years to come.
Hardened Brown Sugar Does Not Mean It Is Bad
Despite your best efforts to store brown sugar in a cool…
…and dry place, it may eventually become hard.
It is important to remember that brown sugar has not gone bad if this happens.
It isn’t easy to mix it in this state, but it isn’t harmful for consumption.
The hard brown sugar should be used as follows.
So…
Take Out the Sugar Beforehand
Before using brown sugar that has been stored for a long time…
…we recommend taking it out first.
The reason for this is that when you store sugar for an extended period…
…there is a much greater chance of it hardening.
Instead of large quantities of sugar, you only need a spoonful with regular meals.
Once the sugar hardens, it can be difficult to take small amounts.
It’s important to remove the sugar a few hours before consumption…
…so that you can apply some remedy to restore the sugar to its original form.
Use a Fork or Electric Mixer
- VERSATILE: Sweet or savory, the Dash Stand mixer is your perfect kitchen accessory for frosting, meringue, creamy dressings, doughs, baked goods and more
- COMPACT: Weighing less than 5lbs, and standing only 125” tall, the Dash Stand Mixer fits underneath most kitchen cabinets Perfect for that first apartment, smaller kitchen, or limited countertop space
- 6 SPEED: This portable, compact mixer packs a punch with a 250watt motor and 6 different speed options ranging low to high to whip, beat or knead with even, uniform results
- MESS FREE: The fully tilting motor head makes removing the mixing bowl and ejecting the beaters or dough hooks easy No more mess! Plus, the retro design, and variety of trendy colors options will accent any kitchen
- INCLUDES: Dash Stand Mixer is backed by a 1-year manufacturer warranty and includes a 3qt stainless steel mixing bowl, 2 dough hooks, 2 mixer beaters, recipe book and recipe database access (all non-electric parts are dishwasher safe)
- U.S. BASED SUPPORT: Dash is a U.S. based company who provides contact information in each product man
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
If you use a fork or electric mixer…
…you can crush the hardened sugar into small pieces…
…that can easily be mixed with water.
This scenario also allows you to use an electric mixer.
When you need to use the sugar right away…
…the mixer is your Holy Grail for softening brown sugar.
Smash with a Bag
Even though this might seem eccentric, smashing a bag gets the job done.
Put the sugar lumps in a jute bag…
…and smash them against a wall or hard counter.
It is recommended to take in small amounts of sugar lumps;
…otherwise, applying pressure or lifting can be difficult.
Additionally, you should avoid using excessive force…
…when smashing to avoid damaging the kitchen counter or wall.
Use an Apple Wedge
- ❤ Update Craft: This upgrade apple slicer has 4 welding points on each blade highly attached on the central corer ring, which means its stronger and more durable for daily using.
- ❤ Easy Using: Choose apples no bigger than 4inches, aim at the core, push down the slicer to core through it, slightly twist and get rid of the core. Then you get 12 even apple slices right away! Really-hard fruits like green apples, guavas are NOT recommended for this apple slicer. It may cause blade deformation. For your safety, please stop forcing the slicer down if the blades were bended.
- ❤ Helpful Time Saver: Suitable for most medium-size round fruits such as apple, pear, potato. No more spending so much time on cutting or slicing, save your time and effort to enjoy fruits everyday!
- ❤ Ideal Kitchen Gadget: You can use this apple slicer to prepare healthy apple snacks for kids at schoool or quick apple snacks for office and parties. A useful tool to prepare apples for pies or strudels.
- ❤ Mind the Sharp Blades: The blades are ultra sharp. Please clean it with the cleaning brush after using, also use a cloth to wipe dry or air dry to prolong the product lifespan. If for any dissatisfaction with your purchase, you can directly request a FULL REFUND or EXCHAN
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The method is indisputable one of the most convenient ways…
…to deal with hard brown sugar.
Place the sugar on an apple wedge inside the sugar container a few hours…
…before you intend to use it, as we discussed earlier.
A couple of hours later, the lumps will be broken into smaller pieces.
It saves you the trouble of breaking up the large sugar lumps.
Microwave for a Couple of Minutes
- Pre-programmed sensor menu for optimum heating of popular foods like pizza, potatoes, veggies and more; Rated Voltage: 120V - 60Hz
- Black Stainless Steel exterior, 20.5 x 17.1 x 12.8 inch (w x d x h), large 1.2 cubic feet capacity, cavity 13.07 x 15 x 9.5 inch (w x d x h), turn table 12.4 inch (diameter)
- 1100 watts with 10 power settings, clock, and kitchen timer
- Large digital display, easy-to-read control panel, glass turntable
- 1100 watts with 10 power settings, clock, and kitchen timer
- One touch start popcorn and two defrost settings - custom or one-pound auto defro Turntable diameter: 12.4 inches
- Large digital display, easy-to-read control panel, power saving mode, sound on/off option, glass turntable. Rated input power (microwave): 1550 watt
- If you wish to mute the buzzer of the microwave, pleas long press on the button 8 for 3-5 seconds. The buzzer is automatically switched off after a long beep.
- The keypad was covered by a protective film during the shipment. Please peel it off before your first use.
- 1 year, please keep the packaging for contacting Toshiba after service and product returns.
- Note: Kindly refer to the user manual provided as a PDF manual in the product description sect
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
GET TO KNOW OTHER BEST RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MICROWAVE HERE!
You can easily break up hard brown sugar…
…by microwaving it for a couple of minutes with a damp paper towel.
The warm sugar shouldn’t be stored for too long, however.
Store it for no more than 2 weeks or use it in a recipe.
Moisten a paper towel and place it in a plastic bag to soften brown sugar.
Microwave it for approximately twenty seconds.
If you do not want to use a plastic container or bag…
…you can also use a glass container or microwave-safe bowl…
…with a moist paper towel before microwaving.
At What Point Should You be Concerned?
So far, we have discussed the benefits of brown sugar…
…such as its high longevity and immortality under normal conditions.
The irresistible sweetness, however, increases the likelihood…
…that it will get contaminated with bugs.
Ants and other bugs can’t resist the sweetness just like us.
As a result, bug contamination is most likely to occur…
…especially when sugar is not stored in an insulated container.
In the event that you find bugs in the sugar…
…you should discard it rather than consume it.
This doesn’t mean the sugar has been ruined…
…but the bugs may carry infections and germs.
To avoid resigning yourself to this fate…
…we recommend storing the sugar in airtight containers.
Looking for brown sugar substitute?
- REFINED SUGAR ALTERNATIVE: Organic Coconut Sugar makes an excellent 1 to 1 ratio (spoon-for-spoon) replacement to refined white sugar. That means its easy to switch out white sugar or artificial sweeteners for BetterBody Foods Organic Coconut Sugar in simple meals and gourmet recipes! The possibilities are endless.
- LOW ON THE GLYCEMIC INDEX: BetterBody Foods’ Organic Coconut Sugar is naturally low on the glycemic index. This means that it doesnt raise your blood sugar as quickly as refined sugars do, so you can have the sweetness of sugar in naturally sweet coconut sugar without the associated insulin spike. Our Organic Coconut Sugar is USDA organic certified, gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher.
- MILD CARAMEL FLAVOR: Organic Coconut Sugar from BetterBody Foods is naturally flavored and has a subtle caramel-like taste that offers a unique variation from refined sugars. It is comparable to brown and cane sugar in taste. It is delicious in your morning cup of coffee or tea, or in your bowl of oatmeal or cereal.
- UNREFINED FOR BAKING & COOKING: Having traveled the world to find the best food, we found the perfect sweetener for all of your cooking and baking needs. Cookies, cakes, muffins, brownies, pancakes, and many other foods can be sweetened with our premium Organic Coconut Palm Sugar for a better alternative to granulated sugar.
- NATURAL COCONUT SWEETENER: Our Organic Coconut Palm Sugar is derived from the nectar of flowers that grow on coconut trees. Because it is organic, it is able to retain many of the nutrients that other coconut products contain. This unrefined sweetener option will help you tame your sweet tooth without feeling guil
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
- Big Tree Farms organic brown coconut sugar
- Naturally low on the glycemic index (GI about 35), unrefined and high nutrient
- A healthy alternative to high fructose sweeteners and processed cane sugars; Gluten free and Kosher
- Coconut Palm Sugar has a soft caramel flavor, similar to light brown sugar; Dissolves in liquid
- Packaged in a stand up resealable po
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Sum Up!
In the form of granulated sugar, brown sugar absorbs large amounts of liquid.
The porous nature of this material makes it an excellent absorbent of moisture.
The biggest reason why it goes bad is when it is exposed to humidity…
…heat, and moisture for an extended period of time.
It causes mold and mildew to accumulate…
…as well as causing it to harden and lumpy if it stays wet for a long time.
Moisture can also cause changes in color and flavor.
Also, you may notice that the surface of the sugar gets whitish.
Conclusion
You don’t need to worry next time you find out there is brown sugar…
…in your pantry that has been stored for years.
However, it is easily hardened into lumps even if it does not go bad.
Did you learn anything from this guide you’d like to share?
Feel free to leave a comment. It would be great to hear from you!
Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
