Techniques for Long Term Storage of Sugar
How Long Can you Store Sugar?
If you regularly work with sugar, then we have some good news. In ideal conditions, you can store sugar indefinitely! This is because sugar doesn't technically expire, or even degrade in taste quality over time. You may see sugar packaging with a "best by" date of two years. The shelf life of sugar is much longer than that, but this is commonly when sugar will start clumping when not stored properly. This is why you should always be careful of where you store sugar, and be mindful of how you are storing it. If you've just made your first bulk purchase of sugar, we will go over how to store sugar long term to keep it safe and fresh for as long you need. These tips can be useful for both at-home bakers, and the largest bakeries around.
What Makes Sugar Go Bad?
Sugar won't go bad on its own, in fact, an unopened bag of sugar will last years. However, once exposed to other foods, liquids, bugs, or more can end up ruining your supply. There are a few things you can look for if you are uncertain whether your sugar is safe to eat.
- Odors: If your sugar isn't odorless, then you know you have a problem. Sugar will pick up the scent of anything that contaminates it, so be mindful of weird smells that will end up negatively affecting your recipes.
- Mold: Since sugar draws in moisture, you will need to make sure it remains away from any mold, otherwise you might end up with mold in your sugar as well.
- Bugs: You likely already encountered how sugar attracts insects and unwanted pests. You will want to throw out any sugar that has any bugs crawling around. This goes for anything else that made its way into an open container of sugar.
Sugar Storage Tips
Storage Conditions
Although it depends on the type of sugar (see below), you will get the best results by keeping your sugar in a dry, cool space. All sugar changes under the influence of moisture, and although it won't spoil the sugar on its own, it will save you the headache of dealing with clumpy sugar later on. For this reason, you should ideally transfer the sugar from its original packaging into enclosed, airtight containers. Make sure not to store sugar underneath any liquids that can make its way into a container by accident. One sugar is exposed to extreme temperatures, there is no turning back, so try to keep the container removed from any extreme temperatures, like coolers or vents. Most importantly, do not store sugar near any source of chemicals.
Storage Containers
Once you have your sugar, you should move it to a new home where you can seal your sugar in an odor-free safe space. You have a few different options depending on affordability and longevity of your storage needs.
Ziploc Bags
These are ideal if you are looking for a simple, affordable solution. Ziploc and other polythene bags won't completely seal away all oxygen, which is beneficial in preventing clumping. Just be cautious, since these bags are easily prone to tearing
Food Grade Buckets
Buckets are more durable, reusable, and won't take up a lot of space. Accessing sugar from food grade buckets will be easier if you portion out sugar into ziploc or mylar bags first, and then place them into a bucket.
Canning Jars
Jars will help keep smaller amounts of sugar airtight and protected. Jars will end up giving you a more organized, clean look to your storage, if that's important to you. Canning jars can be vacuum-sealed to ensure the most airtight proof method available.
Best Way to Store Popular Sugars
Best Way to Store White Sugar
Granulated white sugar doesn't have any temperature restrictions as long as it's not exposed to extreme heat or is left in a freezer. White sugar will clump when it absorbs moisture, so keeping it dry will keep it clump-free, and will break up any clumps that develop. You can add moisture absorbers to your container to help with longer-term storage.
Best Way to Store Brown Sugar
You may notice after a while your brown sugar will clump together in large rock-like masses. This sugar is still safe to eat, but it will be a pain to deal with when you need it. By keeping smaller portions of brown sugar in Ziploc bags, you will reduce the amount of air it is exposed to, so you can prevent moisture loss. You can even try storing brown sugar with a slice of bread to help with the moisture levels. If stubborn clumps develop, you may microwave for short 20 seconds intervals until the clump breaks down.
Best Way to Store Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar does best in airtight bags, otherwise the texture will begin to change. Because of this, powdered sugar will do best in sealed cans or mylar bags.
Buy Bulk Sugar from Indiana Sugars
Now that you know how to store sugar long term, why would you waste your time with multiple purchases of small quantities of sugar when you can save time and money when you buy in bulk. Sugar is a multipurpose commodity, and having sugar on hand at all times when you need it is a valuable necessity for all kinds of industries. We at Indiana Sugars understand this more than anyone, since we have been in the sugar and sweetener business for a century. That is a century of knowledge and excellence in our customer service and delivery promises. We ensure timely deliveries in whatever size you need from one of our warehouse locations across the country, guaranteed. Check out our catalog for granulated sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, and our large selection of sweeteners. Contact us to become our partner and get started with your first order today!
