How Long Do Raisins Last (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 3-5 months

Raisins make for a delicious and healthy snack. Commonly used as toppings or ingredients in baked foods and cereal, these dried grapes carry lots of fiber and antioxidants. They are just as nutritious as fresh grapes, but last much longer. Their sweet taste and high-calorie count make them a great additive in desserts or protein shakes.

The fibers and minerals in raisins help enhance the body’s iron levels and improve bone density. The countless health benefits and easy availability might make you curious about their shelf-life. Do raisins spoil quickly? How long do they last?

How Long Do Raisins Last?

Unlike fresh fruits, which rot in no time, dried fruits boast a long lifespan. If stored in a freezer, they may last up to a year after the expiry date. The shelf-life of raisins depends on how they are dried and stored.

Raisins, after opening, last about 3 to 5 months if stored in a pantry. Keeping it unopened, however, prolongs its lifespan up to over six months. Unopened, they can last for a year or two in the fridge and indefinitely in the freezer. Though if opened, they spoil after six to 12 months in the fridge and may last a year in the freezer.

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Proper storage can help extend the shelf-life of raisins. It can be consumed for a year or longer if stored in sealed containers after opening. It is essential to store the raisins in sealed containers to prevent the evaporation of moisture or oxidization.

Raisins are safe to store at room temperature, whether opened or unopened. They will last a long time as long as they are stored in a cool, dark and, dry place. Unless you live in a scorching hot climate, you do not need to refrigerate your raisins. Refrigeration, however, helps increase its shelf-life. In the fridge, they need to be kept in a sealed package or wrapped in foil to prevent drying.

Why Do Raisins Last This Long?

Raisins have a long shelf-life and can avoid spoilage for over a year if stored properly. They make for a suitable product to buy at once and preserve for long-term use.

Though they don’t spoil like fresh fruit, raisins may lose their flavor over time. Though they don’t spoil like fresh fruit, raisins may lose their flavor over time. The quality degrades with time and affects their texture and taste. When stored for long periods, they start losing moisture content. They harden and become difficult to chew. While it’s still possible to rehydrate them by soaking in wine or hot water, soaked raisins don’t last long.

Raisins, being sensitive to heat and humidity, need to be stored in cool and dark places. Being in close vicinity with heat and light sources may cause further hardening, while humidity leads to mold growth. In naturally hot climates, they need to be refrigerated and stored in sealed containers.

They do not have an exact expiration date and may last indefinitely under suitable storage. The shelf-life of this fruit is affected by added ingredients in the grape, temperature, and storage conditions. There are certain signs that indicate the spoilage of raisins which include:

• Changes in appearance and color: Visible discoloration in raisins indicates that they have rotten or starting to rot. It affects the flavor and taste.
• Strange odors: Spoiled raisins tend to give off a pungent and unpleasant odor. Sour smells are a tell-tale sign of spoilage.
• Changes in texture: The most observable sign of raisins going bad is mold or organic growth. It indicates that the raisins are no longer fit for consumption. Long-term storage also leads to hardening, which signals a loss of moisture and taste.

Conclusion

Raisins are not known for spoiling too fast. They have a long lifespan and remain safe for consumption months after the expiry date.

If you wish to enjoy your raisins for a long time, it is essential to keep them away from heat, light, and moisture. They last long when carefully stored in cool and dark places. Refrigeration or freezing is not required unless you live in a hot and humid climate.

Raisins are nutritious and available easily. They can be brought in bulk and stored for a long time to give a remarkable value for your money.

References

1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2621.1995.tb05669.x
2. https://www.mdpi.com/602864