Can chocolate ever go off? And why does milk chocolate occasionally turn a funny pale colour?

Answer 1

I have had the same queries myself, being an indulgent chocaholic.

Chocolate does have a use-by date, but usually over a year from when it was made (so yes, your easter eggs are probably still ok!!)
There are a few reasons why milk chocolate goes pale, and sometimes white and crumbly:
1) it could be out of date.
2) it could have gotton warm, then cold again (left by a window? Frozen, half-eaten then frozen again? Shipped over from another country?)

If it's the latter, my mum assures me that it's still edible, but I would rather splurge on a brand-new choccie bar than eat a white one! (unless it's white chocolate)

Answer 2

When chocolate turns white like that, one of two things could be the culprit: sugar bloom or fat bloom.

Sugar bloom is normally caused by surface moisture. The moisture causes the sugar in the chocolate to dissolve. Once the moisture evaporates, sugar crystals remain on the surface. If this process is repeated, the surface can become sticky and even more discolored. Although sugar bloom is most often the result of overly humid storage, it can happen when the chocolate has
been stored at a relatively cool temperature and is then moved too quickly into much warmer surroundings. When this happens, the chocolate sweats, producing surface moisture.

Fat bloom is similar to sugar bloom, except that it is fat or cocoa butter that is separating from the chocolate and depositing itself on the outside of the candy. As with sugar bloom, the most common causes of fat bloom are quick temperature changes and overly-warm storage.

Although it might look a little less appetizing , chocolate that has suffered bloom is still okay to eat. You may find the texture of sugar-bloomed chocolate to be a bit grainy on the outside, but it should still taste good. To prevent this from happening to your chocolate, simply use proper storage methods.

Whether it is white chocolate, baking chocolate, milk chocolate or some kind of chocolate confection, proper storage is key. Since it can easily absorb flavors from food or other products situated nearby, chocolate should be tightly wrapped and stored away from pungent odors. The ideal temperature for storage is somewhere between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 20 C), with no more than 50 percent to 55 percent relative humidity. If stored properly, you can expect milk chocolate and white chocolate to be good for up to six months. Other types of chocolate can have an even longer shelf life.


howthingswork.com

Answer 3

Your actual chocolate can't go off, but some of the things that it's mixed with in order to turn it into edible and appealing confectionery (like fats) can.

Milk chocolate will go that funny pale colour if it's stored in damp conditions. That usually doesn't affect your ability to eat it with confidence (or gusto!) but can look very odd and it would make me want to question how well the shop stored its other, more perishable goods.

There's a great book called The Chocolate Wars, about the century-long battle between Mars and Hershey ... I can't remember the author's name but it was a really good read; I couldn't put it down.

Answer 4

It will go off in the end, but very slowly due to the minimal moisture content not supporting much bacterial or fungal growth. As a child I saw a 65 year old chunk of chocolate in a museum. It had gone an unappetising mouldy mauve colour, but the makers name was still legible.
The pale colour is due to hot weather melting the cocoa butter and so allowing the ingredients to separate slightly.

Answer 5

Yes chocolate can go 'off' in a similar way to other fatty foods such as butter or margarine. However, the preservative action of the high sugar content means it lasts longer than other foods.

The white deposit or "bloom" on chocolate is just fat or other solids crystalising out when the chocolate has been subjected to warmth and then allowed to re-set. It's harmless, just looks awful.

Answer 6

Yes choclate can go off. All products have a sell by date. Shops still sell it cheaper a little after the date and it is okay.
Sometimes when chocolate has melted from the sun or heat it turns white when it goes cold again

Answer 7

The funny colour occurs when the chocolate experiences a change in temperature :)

Answer 8

Chocolate can also go a pale colour when kept in the fridge too long. It doesn't affect the flavour and it's certainly not 'off'.

Answer 9

yes. my boyfriend has chocolate in his fridge that is out of date. it tastes like the wrapper, nothing like chocolate at all! milk chocolate goes pale when its nearing its sell by date because of the milk in it going off.

Answer 10

I think it goes a bit funny sometimes when it gets warm. This makes it go pale and a bit rough feeling. Sorry I can't get more precise than that. It can go off though, it is made from perishable ingredients.