Does dried quinoa go bad? Simple tips for checking the shelf life!

So, the other day, I was rummaging through my pantry, and I came across this old bag of quinoa. I mean, it had been sitting there for ages. I couldn’t even remember when I bought it. Naturally, the first thought that popped into my head was, “Does dried quinoa go bad?” I mean, it’s dried, right? So it should last forever, shouldn’t it?

Well, I started doing a little digging. It turns out that quinoa, like most things, does eventually go bad, but it takes a while. Apparently, if you keep it in a cool, dry place, sealed up tight, it can last for a really long time, like, two to three years past the date on the package. Who knew?

I decided to put my old bag of quinoa to the test. First, I gave it a good sniff. Didn’t smell rancid or anything, which was a good start. Then I checked the color. It looked pretty normal, no weird discoloration or anything like that. No visible mold, thank goodness. Finally, I cooked up a small batch. No one wants to waste a whole pot of food if it’s off. I followed my usual method, rinsing it well, then boiling it until the water was absorbed and those little tails popped out.

After cooking, I checked the texture. It wasn’t slimy or anything, another good sign. Then came the taste test. I took a bite and… it tasted just like quinoa should! No weird flavors or aftertaste. Whew! Crisis averted.

I ate it all and everything was fine.

So, what did I learn from this little experiment?

• First, dried quinoa has a pretty impressive shelf life if you store it right.
• Second, always check for signs of spoilage before you use it, no matter how old it is. Smell it, look at it, and if you cook it, check the texture and taste.
• Third, when in doubt, throw it out. Better safe than sorry, right?

I ended up using the rest of that quinoa in a salad later that week, and it was delicious. I’m glad I didn’t just toss it out without checking first. Now I know that I can stock up on quinoa and not worry too much about it going bad quickly, as long as I keep it in an airtight container in my pantry.

How long is suitable for storage

I also learned from searching the internet that dry quinoa in an unopened package will stay fresh for three to four years in your pantry. If it’s opened but in an air-tight container in your pantry, it will keep for a year. Cool!