How Long Does Cream Of Tartar Last?

Cream of tartar has different purposes and many culinary applications. Its taste is a little tangy similar to that of buttermilk, but adding it to any recipe makes the taste so delicious and extremely accentuated.

You may have bought the cream years ago and forgotten it existed in the first place. It may be years before you have purchased it, which will instigate doubt in your mind about whether it is fit enough to be used in recipes.

If the cream of tartar is not deliberately exposed to air and moisture, then the cream of tartar will last forever.

There would be a best-by date in the package which may not matter significantly in this case as the product would retain its potential even after 4 years of production.

Let us quickly get into the details of cream of tartar while also mulling over its shelf life in detail. There may be useful storage tips that might come in handy if you ever purchase cream of tartar and believe in prolonging its usage for years together. 

How Long Does Cream Of Tartar Last?

As mentioned above, the cream of tartar exists indefinitely and does not have a fixed dead-end date as such. It lasts 6 months after the best-by date as well and sometimes even a year later. 

However, we may not be sure about its impact or effect on the recipe when it is past its best-by date. It could also easily retain its original potency after 4 or 5 years if stored properly.

Does Cream Of Tartar Go Bad?

Most of the creams of tartar have an expiration date or, rather, a best-by date. This date explains and marks the target date for its potency or quality. 

If you need to utilize the full potency of the cream of tartar, then it is best to leverage it within the timeline specified in the best-by date. However, cream of tartar has a longer shelf life and can last beyond the specified best-by date.

Can Expired Tartar Cream Be Used?

A quick test will be able to tell if you can use expired cream of tartar. You will have to mix the cream of tartar and a pinch of baking soda in a glass of warm water.

As soon as you have added that in the water, the water should bubble up and form foams indicating it is still good enough to be used.

Signs Of Spoilage For The Cream Of Tartar

As mentioned before, cream of tartar can be used even past the expiration date. So the real value of the tartar cream cannot be determined unless you actually put it to the test or find some eventual signs to figure that out.

Below indications are quite obvious signs of letting you know that the cream of tartar has gone bad.

1. If there are little clumps in the cream
2. There are some black molds or spots in the powder.
3. If there is a slight yellowish tinge or discoloration on the cream
4. If the acidic smell has vanished.

The above signs would just clearly indicate to you that the cream of tartar needs to be tossed out.

How To Store Cream Of Tartar?

If you are keen on extending the shelf life of cream of tartar, then there are a few things you can do to accomplish that.

1. The tartar cream can be poured into an airtight container.
2. It is usually safe to place it in a dark spot away from sunlight.
3. Try to keep it away or stay away from any kind of moisture.
4. Do not bring it close to the access of the heat source by any means.
5. Make sure the temperature is cool, and there are no extreme fluctuations where you preserve the cream.
6. The longest you can keep the cream of tartar is 4 years. If that timeline is passed, it is better to toss it out or buy a new tartar cream.

Should Cream Of Tartar Be Refrigerated?

It is absolutely unnecessary to refrigerate the cream of tartar as it invariably has a longer shelf life. Freezing will be the right choice if you prefer to extend the shelf life forever.

Again, if you are freezing it, you must transfer the contents to a vacuum-pressed freezer bag or an airtight container. You have to make sure that you evade its access from any kind of moisture.

Checking the condition once before using it would deem significant as you cannot afford to lose a whole recipe because tartar cream is spoiled.

Facts About The Cream Of Tartar

Cream of tartar, as deceiving as its name, is a white powder with the exact composition of Potassium Bitartrate. Bakers use this ingredient to stabilize and polish their cakes by settling the bubbles that come from egg whites.

You can create airy meringues, fluffy chiffon cakes, and impressive souffles. There are some other miscellaneous uses of cream of tartar which is very beneficial in many recipes.

It inhibits sugar crystallization while also working effectively as a substitute for baking powder. Mixing a little bit of baking powder and cream of tartar will produce baking soda which also is a leavening agent in cakes and pastries.

This powder is mixed with the vegetables and added to recipes to retain the vegetables’ colors. It also cleanses when you mix with water and scrub it in aluminum and steel utensils.

Adding it with vinegar can make it a cleaning item on porcelain and ceramic vessels.

Conclusion

Cream of tartar is an important ingredient with multiple purposes in many culinary applications. It offers a specific taste to cakes and pastries apart from enriching any recipe it is added to.

You only have to be wary about checking whether it has retained its full potential by all means. Does it have the impact and capacity to offer that flavor to the recipe?

To do that, you must maintain its shelf life and be cautious about its storage condition. This article is clearly a nice guideline to elucidate those prospects and inform you of their durability. 

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