The Pianoman 1,541 Posted December 21, 2023 Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Just found a jar of raspberry jam at the back of the cupboard. The date on it is Nov 2020. That date is neither use by or sell by. Will it be OK to use? I had another that was Jan 2020. That had been part used but even that hadn't got any of the usual white mould that you get on an opened jam jar that has been forgotten. I have binned that one in nay event. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 10,398 Posted December 21, 2023 Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Jam contains so much sugar that it's probably perfectly alright...not that I'm telling you to eat it, mind! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,261 Posted December 21, 2023 Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Can't see why an unopened jar should'nt be alright, it's only sugar after all. Simplest thing is to taste a bit. If it tastes okay and no side effects then use it. If its sour or bitter then bin it. If your'e making jam tarts etc, the oven will put it right. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,547 Posted December 21, 2023 Report Share Posted December 21, 2023 Looks like it will be ok for a long time. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=jam+use+by+date Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nonnaB 4,913 Posted December 22, 2023 Report Share Posted December 22, 2023 Old jam can crystalise but as said before sugar can preserve it but if it’s unopened just tentatively taste it. I made some mincemeat 3 years ago ( I thought it was 2 yrs ago but on checking it’s 3) I used a jar the first year then forgot about it but I recently used it and it was delicious. I preserve a lot of fruit and veg and I’ve never been poisoned. Just be careful. I preserved some dried tomatoes last year. I soaked them to get rid of the extra salt dried them well placed them in jars and topped with EVO. Ready to add to any dish. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,273 Posted December 22, 2023 Report Share Posted December 22, 2023 At last. Someone with something sensible to say! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Pianoman 1,541 Posted December 22, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2023 I sampled a teaspoon yesterday, it tasted fine and I got out of bed alive this morning so I intend to carry on and use it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mess 632 Posted December 22, 2023 Report Share Posted December 22, 2023 On 12/21/2023 at 12:33 PM, Jill Sparrow said: Jam contains so much sugar that it's probably perfectly alright...not that I'm telling you to eat it, mind! Correct Jill, High sugar containing products like jam, honey and golden syrup have a low water activity and don't undergo microbial spoilage although they can go mouldy. There's plenty about water activity and food spoilage on the internet. Best before dates spook people into throwing away perfectly safe products. Use by dates are a different proposition and should be respected. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nonnaB 4,913 Posted January 20 Report Share Posted January 20 While making some fig jam during the summer it became ready to set before I realised but thought it better not to continue cooking it. I put it into jars , left one out to use and put the rest in the freezer. Fig jam because it’s so sweet naturally (I did use 1/4 of sugar needed) and I thought if it was left in storage that it would go mouldy. I did the same thing with kgs of lemons I squeezed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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