Annual per capita consumption of cocoa is pegged at 5.3 pounds, accounting for 20% of the global production. Cocoa, the powder extracted from the cocoa bean is used as an ingredient in a variety of products that stretch from confectionary, chocolate flavored drinks, ice cream, cakes, cookies, and cosmetics. It is one of the most sought after flavors in the market, in addition to multiple benefits in health, nutrition and skin care. As it happens to be a consumable, a large number of individuals have apprehensions about its shelf life. The question foremost on the minds of individuals is – does cocoa powder go bad? Let’s therefore take a clear and unambiguous look to address these apprehensions.
Does cocoa powder go bad? How long before it goes bad?
This question has a straight answer, but it is important to read the subtext. The straight answer to the question does cocoa powder go bad is simple – it does not go bad. However, the powder loses its potency/quality gradually. While this is technically not a condition of cocoa going ‘bad’, it is certainly not a good idea to have a product that has lesser value in terms of nutrition, flavor/taste or benefits. This is an important consideration, considering the role of cocoa powder in food products and cosmetics.
Here it is important to make a distinction between pure cocoa products and products that contain other ingredients along with cocoa. For instance, certain products contain either powdered milk or other diary whitener/ingredients, and these products can actually go bad after a particular period and could be unfit for use. However, pure cocoa powder will only lose its potency after a period and not ‘go bad’.
How long do the best qualities of cocoa powder last?
Cocoa powder needs to be ideally used before one year from the time the container has been opened. A container that has not been opened, will last for as long as three years, following which its quality deteriorates. Though this is different from the context of the question – does cocoa powder go bad, it helps to use cocoa powder before these use by dates to get the best benefits and flavor/taste from the product. The main quality of cocoa in food products is its flavor it add a richness that is hard to describe, and is often the biggest selling point of the product. Therefore, cocoa that has lost its flavor will deprive the product of its most important quality.
What are the best storage practices when it comes to cocoa powder?
As we have clearly concluded that there is a distinction between cocoa powder going bad and cocoa powder losing its potency in answer to the question does cocoa powder go bad, it is time to understand the best storage practices. Cocoa powder is never to be stored in a refrigerator. It is to be stored in cool and dry place, and in an airtight container to ensure that it is not oxidized. Cocoa powder like many food products has to be prevented from getting oxidized. Therefore, it is essential to choose the right kind of airtight containers. Similarly, it is also necessary to use clean and dry spoons in the container. This will ensure that the powder does not lose its consistency.
When cocoa powder loses its consistency is it considered as gone bad?
Cocoa powder loses its consistency when improperly stored. Exposure to moisture can result in the powder forming lumps, which will make it difficult to use as an ingredient in food products of a certain consistency. It is possible to set this right, and use the cocoa powder in food products. Left that way, it alters the overall texture of the product and its flavor. This is not an indication that the powder has gone bad, nor is it an answer to the question does cocoa powder go bad. The hardening/change in consistency is unconnected to the quality of cocoa powder in terms of flavor/taste and nutrition, but pertains to the manner in which it is used as an ingredient in making food products.
What are the benefits of cocoa powder?
As we have now answered the question does cocoa powder go bad and clearly established that cocoa powder is best used within particular periods, it is time to look at the overall benefits. It is packed with polyphenols, flavanols that give it anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Polyphenols are known to contribute to the reduction of cholesterol levels. Among the other benefits, the reduction of blood pressure levels count as one among the most important benefits. This is because of the mechanism of action of the polyphenols that bring about an increase in the nitric oxide levels.
Why does cocoa powder last longer than ground spices?
A head to head comparison of coca powder with spices shows that cocoa powder lasts longer than spices. This is because of the nature of the compounds in each product. Cocoa powder has less volatile compounds than the compounds present in spices. As a result, the powdered form of cocoa powder lasts longer than powdered spices. While both the categories of products have different use cases, the comparison is primarily from the view of the presence of volatile compounds and their impact on the life of products.
Indications that cocoa powder is unsuitable for use
While the answer to the question does cocoa powder go bad has been clearly established above, there are instances when cocoa powder becomes unsuitable for use. For instance, if there are signs of molding, or some organic growth in the powder/container, then it is an indication that the powder is not suitable for use. This is attributed to other conditions and not the age of the powder. This is mainly because of the mold spores that are present everywhere, and strains of mold can grow on food products including cocoa powder. Consequently, the powder may turn unsuitable for use. There is a clear distinction between cocoa powder going bad due to aging and cocoa powder going bad due to other contaminants.