Does Cinnamon Expire? Can You Eat Expired Cinnamon?

Are you a person who found a stash of cinnamon sticks at the back of your pantry? And now you are confused about whether to use them to start a fire or cook with them. I am here to make that decision easy for you. To learn more about this wonderfully aromatic spice, I request you to review this article.

We will answer questions of the following:

• How long does cinnamon last?
• How to store cinnamon?
• How to tell if cinnamon has gone bad?
• What to do with old cinnamon sticks or powder?
• FAQ

How Long Does Cinnamon Last?

Cinnamon, like any other spice, usually lasts longer if stored properly. They can be consumed and used after their best before date as well.

Usually, ground cinnamon stays good even after 1 year past its best date.

On the other hand, cinnamon sticks last longer, for 3-4 years easily.

Tip : If your cinnamon is past its expiry date but has no signs of going bad, you can still use them, but you will need to add more of it to your food.

Now let us learn how to identify better bad or cinnamon that will go bad.

How To Store Cinnamon?

Storing cinnamon is easy and requires minimal effort. If you are a person who bought an entire bag of cinnamon but used only a few sticks, and now you need to store the rest to use throughout the year, then follow these steps:

• If you use ground cinnamon, transfer the spice powder into airtight containers and store them in your pantry.

• If you use sticks, put them inside an airtight container or zip lock bag and store them in your pantry.

• You should store them in a cool and dark corner of your pantry or kitchen. Far away from any sources of moisture, light, and heat.

You may also like: How Long is Chinese Good For

Tip : Try to buy cinnamon that is packaged in resealable bags or airtight containers. Storing them becomes easier. Moisture and air are two of the biggest enemy of spices.

Now let us take a look at how long they last.

How To Tell If Cinnamon Has Gone Bad?

There are a few signs if your cinnamon has gone bad; they are :

• Insects or bugs inside the bag or container.
• Mold or fungal growth.
• Exposure to moisture.
• Off or funny smell.
• Discoloration.
• No cinnamon smell or aroma.

Tip : If you have old cinnamon sticks, take one, grate it for a bit or break it into small pieces. Have a sniff, and if they have the cinnamon smell and aroma, then they are good to use.

Bonus Read!

What To Do With Old Cinnamon Sticks Or Powder?

Old cinnamon sticks and powder can be used to make and create many things. For instance:

Cinnamon Butter/Oil

Take some cinnamon sticks, break them up and simmer them in butter or oil for about an hour or two at very, very low heat and then strain them out. It will create cinnamon-infused butter or oil that you can add to food to boost its flavor.

Cinnamon Sugar 

Another easy thing to make. Take an airtight container or zip lock bag. Fill it with sugar. Drop-in some cinnamon sticks, and cover the cinnamon sticks in sugar. Then leave it in a cool, dry, dark place for a week at least or as long as you want. It will infuse the cinnamon aroma into the sugar, thus giving you cinnamon sugar. For an extra cinnamon boost, you can add it to deserts or even coffee and tea.

Cinnamon Honey 

Cinnamon sticks can be broken into pieces and added to honey. Take a jar of honey, add the cinnamon sticks to it, and leave it in a cool dark spot for at least a week; for best results, you should wait for a month. Next, pick out the sticks and use the honey. The honey should have a sweet aroma and the smell of cinnamon. Use that honey on yogurt, tea, pancakes, etc., anything with which you generally have honey.

Cinnamon Vodka 

Cinnamon can be infused into vodka or any alcoholic drink and give it a considerable boost. Cinnamon sticks can be broken into pieces and added to vodka, whiskey, or your favorite beverage. Additionally, you can add some other spices or even a bit of sugar. Next, leave the mixture in a cool dark spot for about a month and then strain it and have yourself a drink.

Cinnamon Simple Syrup 

Simple syrup is a solution of water and sugar. When making simple syrup, add some cinnamon to the recipe and make your syrup like you usually would. Instead, this time it will be infused with the sweet-spicy aroma of cinnamon.

These are some of the most common and tasty uses of cinnamon. These are some of the best ways of recycling humble cinnamon. So next time, don’t throw them away. 

Some FAQ

Takeaways

Cinnamon is a spice that is tasty and beneficial for our health. It has a plethora of health benefits and uses. It has been used as a medicine in all parts of the world since ancient times. It is easy to store, has a long shelf life, and lasts longer than most spices. And who would’ve thought that simple tree bark could be of such great use? Who would’ve thought that a tree bark could be such a miracle? Yes, cinnamon is the bark of a tree.