Do Prunes Have To Be Refrigerated? Does It Go Bad?

Do Prunes Have To Be Refrigerated

Have you ever tasted any dried fruits? Sounds funny? Yeah, I know that. Because there would be a least of people who are yet to taste any of them among the numerous varieties that are available all around the world. Today we’re going to discuss all such a dried fruit popularly known as Prunes. Although I have been asked to answer the question Do Prunes Need To Be Refrigerated? But before we come to this point, we should go through the whole subject and that I suppose will help you to know the thing better. Come let’s go for Prunes.

What Are Prunes?

Prunes come from varieties of European Plum trees that have been dried or dehydrated naturally under the sun without undergoing a fermentation process for preservation. It is among very few excellent works on bone density. Because this crinkled, wrinkled dried fruit is packed with different vitamins and minerals such as potassium, iron, retinol, vitamin K, fiber, and beta-carotene.

A regular intake of Prunes enables you to fight against bad vision, osteoporosis, constipation, etc. Besides, this works as an antioxidant that reduces the chances of chronicle illness and keeps your heart as well as nerves healthy, and also regulates your digestion system…

What Are The Best Ways To Use Prunes?

Prunes can be used in different ways. For instance, they are taken alone as a snack, you can mix them with different types of nuts or dark chocolates, chopped Prunes are added to oatmeal, bread, and cookies, or blended in smoothies. Even, you can use Prunes as a salad top or pastry filling. Apart from all these, Prunes are widely used in cooking affairs such as making soups and stews, and Prune puree is taken as a good alternative to butter in some cases such as preparing jam.  But apart from all these common use to get flavor and taste, Prunes are extensively used for their nutritional values that can help you to fight against different health- issues and also help you to find the much-needed solution of them.

How Long Do Prunes Last?

Since Prunes are mainly used in dried form and they have not processed food, therefore, they have a good shelf life. Usually, Prunes stay good for 6-12 months. Besides they remain fresh in taste for a longer period of time if they are stored properly. Now it’s time to go for storing this nutritious, health-friendly dried fruit so that you can use it for further purposes.

How To Store Prunes?

The well-being of Prunes heavily depends on the place you’ve stored them. The shelf life of Prunes varies on the place and the condition where they are stored. Such as-

  1. If you have an unopened package of Prunes, then it is better to keep the package in the pantry or cupboard. At room temperature Prunes can be kept in better quality for a good 9-12 months.
  2. To keep Prunes good for some more time, you have to keep them in an airtight container and then place the container in a refrigerator. Here your Prunes can last up for more than 12 months.
  3. Above all, if you consider providing Prunes with a maximum shelf life, then a freezer will be the best option as it can keep your Prunes good for up to 24 months.
  4. Direct sunlight and any other sources of heat may reduce the shelf life of Prunes; therefore, you must avoid these two things while storing your Prunes.

Do Prunes Go Bad? How Can You Tell If They Have Gone Bad?

Yes, Prunes can go bad. Especially if the package is opened there has an outside chance for Prunes to go bad. Either at room temperature or in a refrigerator everywhere they can turn bad with time. Researches reveal that Prunes can go bad anywhere between 2 weeks to 1 year. Only keeping them in a freezer can give your Prunes some more life for sure.

Now you have to know the signs that help you to know that your Prunes have gone bad. Here you go-

  1. At one point if you find your Prunes release a bad smell or off smell unlike the aroma that usually comes from good ones, then you should avoid using them.
  2. If you find molds have appeared on the Prunes that are kept in a package, it means the time has come to discard them all.
  3. If your Prunes turn mushy after sometimes you have bought them from the market, then the only thing you can do is throw them away.

Can I Eat Expired Prunes?

According to the USDA, any dried fruit like Prunes is good for 6 months, and only using a refrigerator or freezer can extend their shelf life for up to a year or two. But after that Prunes are considered expired. But it’s no harm of eating expired Prunes for at least some months. Although you find their taste a little rancid you easily ignore that and have them safely.

Do Prunes Need To Be Refrigerated?

Generally, dried fruits are not suggested to keep in a refrigerator as they don’t require it. A normal cool and dry place is OK for them. But on the other hand, if you can follow the way of proper storing, keeping Prunes in a refrigerator might come good for you as it can maintain their freshness and quality for a good 6 months. Before that, Prunes must be kept in a clean and airtight container and only then you can think of keeping Prunes in the refrigerator. Unless moisture that occurs naturally in a refrigerator can easily invade Prunes and cause them to get soggy, moldy, or dull tasting over time.

Can You Freeze Prunes?

A freezer is proven the best bet for storing Prunes for quite some time. Only you need to keep them in freezer-safe bags or containers before placing them inside the freezer. This will keep the quality and condition of your Prunes for years. But one thing you must remember is never to allow any vacant place inside the container. This allows the moisture to get inside and that can deteriorate the quality of your Prunes.

frequently asked questions

Do Pitted Prunes Need To Be Refrigerated?

Pitted Prunes need to be stored in a cool and dry place but it’s not necessary to keep them in a refrigerator. The moisture in the refrigerator can turn the Prunes soggy or dull after some time and you’ll find the problem when you consume them.

Do Dried Prunes Expire?

Usually, Prunes have a good shelf life. But yes, still they do get expired. But the time varies on the way you store them. From keeping at room temperature to placing in a freezer, Prunes get expire anywhere from 5-24 months.

Is It OK To Eat Prunes Every day?

Consuming a number of Prunes depends on your nutritional needs. But it’s recommended that an individual can consume 10-12 prunes per day to get the best health results. But it’s better to start with 5-6 daily for the first couple of days and then go for the full diet.

How Many Prunes Should I Ned To Poop?

As I know Prunes helps you to deal with constipation. Generally, 7 medium-sized Prunes that weigh about 50 grams a day are good to get relief from constipation. But if you have mild issues, then 3-4 a day is sufficient for you.

What Can I Eat Instead Of Prunes?

If you want to find any alternatives to Prunes that can provide almost the same sweetness and health benefits as well, then you should try dried figs, apricots, raisins, and dates as they are equally good for taste as well as for your health.

Do Prunes and Corn Tortillas Have Similar Storage Requirements and Shelf Life?

Prunes and corn tortillas refrigeration and shelf life differ significantly. Prunes can be stored at room temperature for up to 6 months, while corn tortillas require refrigeration and have a shorter shelf life of approximately 7-10 days. It’s important to follow the specific storage guidelines for each to ensure freshness.

Conclusion

So now we have come to an end to this long discussion that reveals most of the vital factors related to Prunes, a unique kind of dried fruit that is not only delicious to eat but also provides various health benefits. Therefore, obviously, you’ll look for storing them for later uses. This article provides you with all the necessary options for this purpose, hope they’ll come useful for you.

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