We found a package of Whole Wheat flour at the back of a kitchen cupboard with a sell by date in Nov. of 2006. How do we tell if it has gone bad? It doesn't have a bad smell to it.
if it's still good. In good conditions it can last longer than the date. Try it, just stick a wet finger in it and taste it. If you're not sure after that, then it must be good because old stuff would be bitter and have an aftertaste.
Did it taste alright, or is it on it's way to the landfill?
I've baked with older flour than that. Needs a bit more water, and maybe my taste buds aren't that discerning, but it was fine. And anyway, I hate to throw things out, goes against the grain.
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W/W past date
Whole wheat flour is said to start to go rancid in 72 hours, this why so many mill what and how much they want at home when they want it.
Home milled flour has a totally different flavour. I would dump the bag you have..
Wheat kernels keep at least a year in cool conditions. qahtan
My wife....
...has felt and smelled the flour, and is quite convinced it is still good.
I just don't know.....
Colin
I'd bake it.
I'd bake it.
Taste it and see
if it's still good. In good conditions it can last longer than the date. Try it, just stick a wet finger in it and taste it. If you're not sure after that, then it must be good because old stuff would be bitter and have an aftertaste.
She did
Tasting it was part of what my wife did.
Colin
Colin, if it doesn't stink
Colin, if it doesn't stink and it's not crawling away from you--have you ever seen a "died of flour poisoning in his home late Tuesday" obit?
Past it's sell by date
If you have never had freshly milled whole wheat flour, more than likely you wouldn't
tell the difference .
Fresh milled whole wheat is vastly different, for the couple of $$$
the bag cost I would dump it, and buy myself a mill. and have whole wheat as it is suppose to taste ;-))) qahtan
Thank you
to everyone who responded.
Colin
So what did you do?
Did it taste alright, or is it on it's way to the landfill?
I've baked with older flour than that. Needs a bit more water, and maybe my taste buds aren't that discerning, but it was fine. And anyway, I hate to throw things out, goes against the grain.
We are using it
and no one is complaining about the taste. Last weekend I made one of the recipes from Reinhart's new book, and everyone liked it.
Colin