Does dried quinoa go bad? You askin’ me, huh? Well, I tell ya, I been eatin’ and cookin’ for a long, long time. Seen a lot of food come and go. This quinoa stuff, it’s kinda newfangled, but it ain’t much different from other grains we used to keep in the pantry.
Now, that dried quinoa, it’s like them dried beans or that rice we used to get. If you keep it right, it lasts a good while. But, don’t you go thinkin’ it lasts forever, now. Nothin’ lasts forever, ‘cept maybe them old fruitcakes folks keep passin’ around at Christmas.
So, can it go bad? Sure it can. Anything can go bad. Even that tough old boot leather if you leave it out in the rain long enough. This dried quinoa, if you let it get all damp and moist, or if bugs get into it, well, it’s gonna be no good. No good at all.
How long does dried quinoa last? I heard some folks say it can last for years. Years! Now, I ain’t never kept nothin’ that long, ‘cept maybe my husband’s old fishing hat. But they say if you keep it sealed up tight, away from the wet and the critters, it can last a good two, maybe even four years, they say.
- Keep it dry, that’s the key.
- Keep it sealed up tight.
- Keep them bugs out!
Now, if you open that bag or that jar of dried quinoa, well, it ain’t gonna last quite as long. Maybe two years at the most, if you’re lucky. It starts to lose its, whatchamacallit, its crunch. Gets a little chewy like. Not bad, necessarily, but not as good as when it’s fresh.
You gotta use your common sense, you see. If that dried quinoa smells funny, kinda musty or sour, then you best toss it out. Don’t be eatin’ no food that smells funny. And if it’s all damp and clumped together, well, that’s a bad sign too. And if you see little bugs crawlin’ around in there, well, heavens to Betsy, throw that whole mess out!
How to store dried quinoa? Well, like I said, keep it dry and keep it sealed. I used to keep my grains in them old tin canisters. You know, the ones with the tight-fittin’ lids. Worked like a charm. Nowadays, folks got all them fancy plastic containers. Those work good too, I reckon, long as they seal up tight.
Some folks, they like to keep their quinoa in the fridge or the freezer. I guess that’s alright, but I never did see the need. Just keep it in a cool, dark place, like the pantry shelf, and it should be just fine.
Now, you gotta watch out for that food poisoning too. I heard quinoa can be a problem just like rice. You gotta cook it right and store it right, cooked or uncooked. Don’t be leavin’ it out on the counter all day long. That’s just askin’ for trouble.
Signs that your dried quinoa is bad? Use your eyes and your nose, that’s what I always say.
- Does it smell funny? Kinda off?
- Does it look funny? All damp or clumpy?
- Are there little bugs in it? Or little holes in the bag?
If you see any of them signs, don’t take no chances. Just throw it out and get yourself a new batch. It ain’t worth gettin’ sick over, no sir. Dried quinoa is cheap. Your health, well, that’s worth more than all the gold in them hills.
So, there you have it. Does dried quinoa go bad? Yes, it can. But if you store it right, it’ll last you a good long while. Just use your common sense, and you’ll be just fine. Now, go on and get yourself some of that quinoa. It’s good for ya, they say. Better than some of that other junk food folks eat these days. Just remember to store it properly, alright?
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