Does Turmeric Go Bad?

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Turmeric is a spice obtained from the turmeric plant, and it is mostly used in Asian countries. People living in Asia use many spices in their dishes to add a spicy flavor to their food. Turmeric spice also adds flavor and color to the dishes, and people love to use it. It comes in daily usage in almost every house, so people usually buy it in a large amount.

But can turmeric go bad? Generally, turmeric has a very long shelf life, and they cannot go bad, but they only lose their quality and freshness with time. If you were looking for some helpful information about turmeric, then luckily, you are at the right place. This article briefly explains some information about turmeric.

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How to Store Turmeric?

As turmeric has a very long shelf life, you will still have to take care of some important things to last for long life. It is not very difficult to store turmeric because of its longer shelf life, but storage is very important to keep it fresh for a long time.

If you have bought a large amount of turmeric and are confused about where and how you can store it, don’t worry. Some important storage tips to keep the turmeric fresh are discussed below.

Keep in a cool and dark place

The powdered form of turmeric comes in sealed packages with the best by date labeled on it. You can store these sealed packages anywhere at room temperature for a long time. It will be best for you if you keep them in a cool and dark place.

You can store the turmeric in the cupboard of your kitchen or the pantry. Or you can also place them on your kitchen shelves.

Keep it away from water

You should always keep the powdered form of turmeric away from the water. Water can affect the quality and texture of turmeric. Once it gets in contact with the water, it will lose all its texture, and it will not retain its highest quality. Make sure where ever you place turmeric, the place should be safe and dry.

Keep away from heat sources

If you are using turmeric roots, you can keep them at room temperature for three to four days, but you will have to make sure that you keep them away from the sunlight and heat sources to affect their quality and texture.

Store in refrigerator

If you have bought turmeric roots and are not thinking of using them within three days, it will be best to store them in the refrigerator. The refrigerator can keep the turmeric roots fresh for a long time.

Keep them sealed

Turmeric powder has a long shelf life, but you should take care of it. You should keep it sealed because unsealed turmeric can interact with air and lose its freshness.

Can You Freeze Turmeric?

When you are looking for long-term preservation, then you go for freezing. But turmeric has a very long shelf life, so there is no need to store it. However, turmeric freezes well, and it can also stay fresh in the freezer without losing its quality. But it is only for the turmeric roots.

You can extend the shelf life of turmeric roots by freezing them. Wash the roots properly and let them dry. Transfer them to the freezer bags and store them in the freezer for a long time.

How Long Does Turmeric Last?

Turmeric has a very long shelf life, and it does not go bad either. You can only get rid of turmeric when it loses its quality and freshness. It is tricky to tell the exact shelf life of turmeric as it depends on the storage conditions.

The shelf life of turmeric roots is a bit shorter than the powdered turmeric. The ground turmeric can stay fresh at room temperature for almost three to four years without losing its quality. And if you store turmeric in the fridge, then it can last for four years. On the other hand, fresh turmeric roots can only last for a couple of weeks in the refrigerator and almost a couple of months in the freezer.

How to Tell If Turmeric Is Bad?

Ground turmeric has a very long shelf life, and if you store it properly, it will not go bad, but it can lose its quality. But turmeric roots may show some signs of spoilage. Take care of the following things in mind while checking turmeric:

Take the powdered form of turmeric in your hand and rub it with your palm. After that, check its smell; if its smell is off, then it means that it has lost its freshness and quality so, avoid using it.
Check the outer skin and color of fresh turmeric. If its color is dark and the outer skin is wrinkled, then it will be best for you if you get rid of it at once.