You made the decision to try out some wasabi paste. You might have needed it to make homemade sushi, or you might have wanted to add some to a steak, salad dressing, or even mashed potatoes. The paste is flavorful and spicy, but there is a limit to how much of it can be used at once. And sooner or later, you start to wonder: does wasabi paste go bad?
Or perhaps you made the decision to experiment with wasabi powder. You decided to purchase the powder instead of the paste so that you can make new paste whenever you find yourself in need of some. But as the months pass, you come to the conclusion that you won’t need it within the next year or so at the earliest. This raises the question of how long the wasabi powder can be stored for after it has been opened.
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then continue reading this article because it was written specifically for you. We discuss the storage, shelf life, and expiration of wasabi, both in paste and in powder form, in this article. I don’t go into detail about fresh wasabi because very few people are able to get their hands on it.
However, before we go through all of the information, you should be aware that the focus of this article is primarily on the wasabi that is sold in the grocery store near your home. And in almost all instances, what you’re getting is not “real” wasabi, which is made from the wasabi plant, but rather a paste made from horseradish and some kind of food coloring.
The “real” thing is quite expensive, and there is such a high demand for it in Japan that even the stores there often sell the substitute rather than the “real” thing. If you are interested in learning a little bit more about this phenomenon, here is a brief and entertaining article that was published on the Huffington Post.
Wasabi: How To Keep It In Storage
Wasabi paste shall be our first topic of discussion. Horseradish, mustard, starch, and green food coloring are the ingredients that go into making the wasabi paste. On occasion, spinach powder is utilized as an alternative to food coloring. It should therefore not come as a surprise that the recommendations for storing horseradish sauce or mustard are somewhat comparable to one another.
A jar of wasabi that has not yet been opened should be stored in a place that is cool and dark, away from any sources of heat and sunlight. It is recommended to make use of a dark cupboard in the pantry; however, a cabinet in the kitchen will also do. Make sure it’s not anywhere near the oven or the stove.
After the jar or container has been opened, it must be stored in the refrigerator. It is also essential to always ensure that the container is tightly sealed.
A helpful hint: storing the container in an upside-down position will earn you some bonus points if you anticipate having it around for more than a few months. Because of this, fresh oxygen will be prevented from entering the jar, which will allow the paste to remain fresh for a little bit longer.
When scooping any type of condiment, it is imperative that you always use clean utensils. In this way, you lessen the likelihood that there will be microbial contamination.
Now, let’s talk a little bit about wasabi powder, shall we? Wasabi powder, which is typically made from Wasabia japonica, is considered to be the authentic “wasabi.” The act of storing it is not very dissimilar to the act of storing other powders.
The powder is typically sold in a jar or a tin can, both of which have lids that can be replaced with ease. After opening the package, if it is not possible to reseal it, pour the powder into a jar or another container that will keep out air.
Maintain it in the same manner as you would any other powdered spice: store it in a cupboard that is cool, dark, and away from moisture. It is highly recommended that you keep it in the kitchen so that it is easily accessible whenever it is required.
How Long Does Wasabi Last
To begin once more, let’s get started with the wasabi paste. It is typical for it to come with a “best if used by” date, just like mayonnaise and other condiments. This date is not an expiration date; rather, it is merely an estimate of how long the past will continue to have a pleasant aroma and flavor. That indicates that it should be able to keep well for at least a few weeks, and possibly even a couple of months, after the date that it was made.
If you want the product’s quality to be at its peak, you should make every effort to use it up within a couple of weeks of opening the jar or container. However, this does not imply that it will go bad or become undrinkable after the aforementioned period of time has passed.
Because the paste’s quality deteriorates over time, it is best to use it up as soon as possible after opening the jar. However, if you consume it within the next six months to a year, or even longer, it should still have a good flavor (and hot). After the first six months have passed, you should check the quality of the leftover paste each time before you use it to ensure that it is still good. If it is, you can continue to use it.
When it comes to wasabi powder, it should also come with a date indicating when it is at its peak freshness. On the other hand, given that it is a spice that is found in powdered form, it almost never spoils to the point where it is no longer safe to consume.
Its flavor and potency deteriorate over time, similar to that of other spices. Therefore, if you have already stored it for a couple of years, you may find that you need to add more of it in order to achieve the same level of kick.
Rub a small amount of the powder between your fingers, then taste and smell it to determine the strength of it. Get rid of it if there is very little flavor left in it. In addition to that, ensure that you thoroughly wash your hands after completing that test.
Wasabi: How Can You Tell If It’s Gone Bad?
When it comes to wasabi paste, you should begin by inspecting the surface for any discolorations or any specks that are blue or gray in color. Throw it away if there is any remaining. The next thing that you need to do is a sniff test. If it has an unpleasant odor, you should discard it.
Try a little bit of the paste, especially since it seems to have a pleasant appearance and aroma. Get rid of it if it is in pretty bad shape or if you don’t think it has enough flavor. The situation is the same if it has been stored in the refrigerator for more than a few months.
Wasabi powder can be consumed without worry for an indefinite amount of time, as I’ve already mentioned. Unless, of course, there is a chance that water will get into the package. Throw away the powder if there is any evidence of mold on it or if it is all clumped together. If the powder has the appearance of, well, powder, then you can probably use it without any problems.
