Chia is one of the most durable seeds that you can find; they give you such benefits as a great Omega-3 level, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that improve your health to the max. However, do chia seeds go bad?
Most of us add chia seeds to our daily diet, so it is important to know if they’re fresh and safe to eat and how long do chia seeds last. The best way to do this is to know where to store them, learn their shelf life, and recognize when chia seeds go bad so you can throw them away.
How long do chia seeds last?
Because these seeds last a long time, people often store them without worrying about them. However, although they are durable seed, it doesn’t mean that they don’t expire.
Besides, we can extend o short their shelf life depending on their storage, temperature and placement. Therefore, to know if your seeds are bad, we must evaluate the way of storage.
1. Shelf life of chia seeds inside the refrigerator
Can chia seeds go bad inside the fridge? This is one of the most effective ways to extend the shelf life of chia seeds. Keeping them at a constant cold temperature inside the refrigerator can make them last at least 4 years.
In addition, storing them in a glass container that seals under a vacuum prevents moisture from penetrating and damaging the seeds faster.
2. Shelf life of chia in the pantry
Many of us have wondered if can chia seeds go bad inside the pantry but this is a good idea as long as you use them regularly. They usually last about two years if you store them in a good container, and avoid dark and damp places where animals tend to get them.
Avoid using plastic or aluminum containers. The best option when storing them in places like the pantry, are glass containers with an airtight lid. This will prevent the entry of insects or any unwanted animal.
3. Shelf life of the seeds when frozen
This is one of the best and most effective ways to store and keep seeds for a long time. When frozen, the seeds repel any type of bacteria or microbes that can quickly infect or damage them ultimately.
However, this technique will be double-edged if you don’t know how to store them. The ideal is to separate the portions of seeds that you will consume and store them separately in small airtight containers.
This way, you can thaw each portion you need while the rest stay frozen in the fridge. Otherwise, the seeds will get soggier and soggier and lose shape as you freeze and thaw them over and over again. So how long do chia seeds last when frozen? In this way, chia seeds can extend their useful life up to 7 or 8 years.
How to store chia seed to make them last longer?
Do chia seeds go bad if they’re not stored properly? Yes, they do. In addition, it is important to maintain their hygiene to avoid any contamination or appearance of fungi, especially when they are stored in the pantry.
Never leave them in the bag where you bought them. Since you will not be able to close it hermetically it will leave a lot of space for bacteria to grow and for insects to enter, and it will damage the seeds quickly.
The most effective way is to use a glass airtight container, to prevent the entry of moisture or foreign objects. Avoid plastic and metal containers, and never use bags because they can break easily.
On the other hand, make sure that the humidity they are in is constant, avoid drastic changes between cold and heat because you can negatively modify the flavor of the seeds.
However, the best way to store them for years to come is by freezing them. With the help of a container like the one mentioned above, and separated into portions to avoid constant temperature changes.
Do chia seeds expire? Which are the signs we have to look for?
Since these are long-lasting seeds, many people tend to wonder, do chia seeds expire?. There are many ways to tell if they are damaged or spoiled. It is important to know this to avoid eating them with little nutritional value and harming your health. Maintaining the hygiene of chia seeds is important to avoid any health damage.
The most drastic and noticeable change that occurs in chia seeds when go bad is the smell. Over the years and being in contact with humidity, they oxidize and develop a rancid and unpleasant smell. This is a sign that they have already lost their nutritional value and can cause stomach damage if you keep using them.
On the other hand, if you see insects inside the container or bag, it is a clear sign that they are in poor condition. Although they do not infect or deteriorate the seeds, it can be unpleasant to eat them with the insects inside since you will not be able to remove all of them.
Also, the formation of clumps in the seeds is a clear sign that some kind of mold will soon develop. Drastic temperature changes can cause this, and moisture that penetrates inside and damages the seeds. At this point, you have to throw away the seeds immediately because they can cause health damage.
Finally, although the smell of chia seeds is almost imperceptible, when they become sticky and begin to deteriorate, appears a strong rusty smell that can alter their flavor as well. This is a sign that they aren’t safe anymore. Even if the seeds don’t have an unpleasant taste, it is prudent to take them in the trash because otherwise, they could cause stomach damage or poisoning.
Chia seeds are very healthy, long-lasting, and provide multiple benefits to your health. However, if you’ve ever wondered if do chia seeds go bad, you already know the best ways to store them, protect them, and continue to enjoy their benefits for years to come without having to buy them constantly.