Expiration & Storage Tips
When does S'mores expire?
The expiration time of a s'more greatly depends on its individual components.
-Graham Crackers: Unopened, they can last up to a year past the date printed on the package. Once opened, they are best consumed within 2-3 weeks, but they can last up to 1-2 months if resealed properly.
-Marshmallows: An unopened bag of marshmallows can last for 6-8 months. After opening, they should ideally be consumed within 1 month, but they can last up to 4 months if stored well.
-Chocolate: When unopened, chocolate bars can remain good for up to 2 years. Once opened, chocolate is usually good for about 3-4 months.
If you assemble your S'mores and don't eat them right away, they will go stale quickly. It's best to eat them immediately after making.
How do you tell if S'mores is bad?
Each part of a s'more has its own tell-tale signs of spoiling.
-Graham Crackers: They have gone stale and bad if they have a tough texture and lack their usual sweet flavor.
-Marshmallows: Bad marshmallows often have a hard texture, discoloration, and a bad smell.
-Chocolate: Old chocolate often develops a whitish, powdery coating known as 'bloom' – this is often just cocoa fats rising to the surface and isn't necessarily harmful, but can impact taste and quality.
For assembled s'mores, if they taste stale or have a strange odor, it's best to discard them.
Tips for storing S'mores to extend shelf life
• Store each S'mores component separately to extend their shelf life. Keep them in a cool, dry place.
• After opening, reseal the packaging of your graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate to prevent them from going stale. Using air-tight containers can help.
• Avoid storing chocolate in the fridge, as this can cause 'bloom'. Room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat, is ideal.
• Marshmallows can stick together when exposed to air, so try squeezing as much air out of the bag as possible before resealing.
• Don't assemble your s'mores until you're ready to eat them to keep them from going stale.