If you've recently begun baking with sesame seeds, or happen to find a bag at the back of your pantry that you'd like to use, then you might find yourself wondering if sesame seeds go bad. While sesame seeds have a long shelf-life, they must be stored properly to ensure freshness. Continue reading to learn more about the proper storage of sesame seeds and how you can determine if the seeds in your kitchen have spoiled.
Do Sesame Seeds Spoil?
Sesame seeds are a nutritious ingredient that, after some time, will go rancid. When stored improperly or for a long time, the nutrients in sesame seeds begin to deteriorate. If you think the seeds in your pantry may be spoiled, there are a few ways to test them and find out.
Taste Test
The first way to tell if sesame seeds are spoiled is to taste them. Sesame seeds that taste bitter instead of sweet are almost always rancid. On the other hand, a fresh sesame seed will have a sweet, slightly nutty flavor, not a bitter one.
Smell Them
Now, if you're not keen on tasting rancid food, another way you can check to see if your seeds have spoiled is to smell them. Spoiled seeds will give off a chemical-like odor comparable to nail polish remover. They may also smell sour. That being said, not all rotten seeds smell bad, and it's essential to pay close attention to the best by date to ensure that your sesame seeds are still safe to eat.
Search for Bugs
Sesame seeds are delicious, which means they're an incredibly tasty food for pantry bugs. Unfortunately, if the sesame seed container isn't sealed tightly, pantry pests can make their way into the seeds. If you notice bugs, eggs, or larvae in your sesame seeds, you'll want to throw the seeds out immediately and check the other food in your pantry for the same.
Check for Mold
Though mold isn't a common sign of seed spoilage, it is possible. If moisture seeps into your bag of sesame seeds, it could trigger mold to grow. Any sign of mold or white fuzz on sesame seeds is a sign of spoilage.
Can You Eat Expired Sesame Seeds?
If you've checked your sesame seeds for visible signs of spoilage, smelled them and performed a taste test, and they still seem fresh, then they probably are! That being said, even if a sesame seed doesn't show signs of spoilage, it does expire after a certain period.
What Happens if You Do Eat Spoiled Sesame Seeds?
You're not likely to get sick if you accidentally eat a small amount of spoiled sesame seeds. In fact, most of the time, individuals don't experience any immediate adverse effects. However, individuals who have sensitive stomachs might experience minor digestive issues a few hours later. If you consume a large amount of spoiled seeds and feel a bit off, we recommend speaking to a health professional immediately for further guidance.
How Long Do Sesame Seeds Last?
The shelf life of sesame seeds largely depends on how the seeds are prepared and stored. Here's a quick overview of the average shelf-life for this seed.
Unopened Sesame Seeds
We do not recommend consuming products past the best by date. That said, you'll want to ensure that the seeds are stored properly and kept in a dry, dark and cool place—like the back of your pantry.
Opened Sesame Seeds
Once a bag of sesame seeds is opened, we recommend transferring them to an airtight container. Opened sesame seeds can be stored in two ways—you can either keep them in the pantry or store them in the refrigerator.
Toasted Sesame Seeds
Once toasted, the shelf-life of sesame seeds shortens quite a bit. Storing toasted sesame seeds in an airtight container in the pantry will keep them fresh for three months. When stored in the refrigerator, they will keep for six months.
It's important to remember that these expiration periods are rough estimates and that the freshness of your sesame seeds depends on the conditions they are stored in.
The next time you purchase a bag of sesame seeds, use the storage guidelines in this article to ensure that they remain fresh for as long as possible. And, if you're concerned that your sesame seeds have rotted, remember to check for the signs of spoilage above. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we wish you a fun and flavorful week!
FAQs
Sesame seeds are a nutritious ingredient that, after some time, will go rancid. When stored improperly or for a long time, the nutrients in sesame seeds begin to deteriorate.
How do you know if sesame seeds are bad? ›
Since sesame seeds have a long shelf life if kept dry, it is hard to tell if they have gone bad. The best way is by smell - they will start to smell rancid because of the natural oils breaking down. Once they start to smell they also taste pretty nasty.
How long do sesame seeds last once opened? ›
Sesame seeds have a high oil content, therefore they can quickly go rancid. It is best to buy them a small quantity at a time, and store them in a cool, dry place. They can be frozen for up to a year, or they can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 months. Once opened, store sesame oil, paste, and tahini in the fridge.
When should you not eat sesame seeds? ›
A gastric obstruction called benign anastomotic stricture: Sesame seeds contain a lot of fiber. This might increase the risk of bowel obstruction in people with this condition. Surgery: Sesame might affect blood sugar levels, making blood sugar control difficult during and after surgery.
What is the lifespan of sesame seed? ›
Raw sesame seeds have a different shelf life than roasted sesame seeds. While raw seeds can last around two years when stored properly, roasted seeds should be used sooner as the roasting process shortens their lifespan.
Can you eat expired seeds? ›
Seeds in fact do not have an "expiration date", rather it is a sell-by-day, just like food. The dates on seed packets are guidelines to help you figure out if your seeds are getting old, but it does not mean you have to throw them away if they are past their sell-by-date. Every plant is different.
Can 2 year old eat sesame seeds? ›
When can babies eat sesame? Sesame may be introduced as soon as a baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Start small by serving a scant amount at introduction, as sesame is increasingly recognized as a common food allergen.
How to check the quality of sesame seeds? ›
For Natural & Hulled Sesame Seeds, the first criterion is the way the seed looks. If the seeds are Whitish in the case of Natural Sesame Seeds, they can be considered to be really good quality seeds. Natural Sesame Seeds cannot be pure white, but somewhere between beige to creamy.
What do sesame seeds smell like? ›
Sesame's fragrance in perfumery is very faithful to the seed that we consume. It is both exotic and spicy, with an unsweetened gourmand facet with the smell of caramelised hazelnuts. Sesame has effects of warm bread, maple syrup, coffee and peanuts.
When should I throw out sesame oil? ›
If your sesame oil displays any physical signs of rancidity, and if the oil's “use by” date is long past, it's safe to say your oil is probably rancid. If the "use by" date has passed but your oil looks, smells, and tastes fresh, it's probably fine to use the oil. Throw away any sesame oil that's over 2 years old.
Sesame seeds help to control constipation because of its Rechana (mild laxative) and Vata balancing properties. Tips: 1. Eat 1/2- 1 tablespoon or as per your taste roasted Sesame seeds in a day.
Why can't my body digest sesame seeds? ›
"Raw seeds (sunflower, sesame, chia, etc.) often contain phytic acid, which can interfere with the absorption of minerals," registered dietitian Brynn McDowell told INSIDER. If you notice undigested seeds in your stools, McDowell said to consider soaking these seeds before eating to help remove some of the phytic acid.
What color sesame seeds are healthiest? ›
Because black sesame seeds and white sesame seeds come from the same plant, their health benefits are quite similar. However, because black sesame seeds retain their outer shells, they offer enhanced nutrition and increased levels of plant compounds, vitamins, and minerals.
How can you tell if sesame seeds are rancid? ›
Smell Them
Spoiled seeds will give off a chemical-like odor comparable to nail polish remover. They may also smell sour. That being said, not all rotten seeds smell bad, and it's essential to pay close attention to the best by date to ensure that your sesame seeds are still safe to eat.
How many years can seeds last? ›
How Long Will Seeds Last? Many seeds will maintain great germination for three years even in your kitchen cupboard, though there are exceptions. Stored well, some seeds can last centuries. Reducing humidity is key to storing seed, reducing risk of mold and pre-mature sprouting.
Do hulled sesame seeds expire? ›
Shelf Life of Sesame Seeds
Unopened and properly stored in a cool, dry place, they can last up to two years. Once opened, black sesame seeds maintain their quality for about six months to one year if stored correctly in the pantry.
Are sesame seeds supposed to be brown? ›
Unhulled seeds have the outer, edible husk intact, while hulled seeds come without the husk. The hull gives the seeds a golden-brown hue. Hulled seeds have an off-white color but turn brown when roasted. Here are 15 health benefits of sesame seeds.
How do you know if sesame paste is bad? ›
The taste will be sour, kind of metallic, and just plain weird. Utilizing a trusty sniff test is another way of finding out if it's time for your tahini to take a one-way trip to the bin. But something that's important to remember is that ground sesame seeds do naturally have a slightly earthy, bitter aftertaste.
What does sesame oil look like when it goes bad? ›
Eventually, the oil will become rancid: it will turn darker in color, develop a harsh aroma like paint thinner or nail polish remover, and start to taste unpleasant.
