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Old 04-03-2013, 15:47   #1
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Shelf Life of Baking Soda and Yeast?

Planning on spending the next winter in the Bahamas where I hope baking soda and yeast can be purchased but I plan to buy some in Florida and wonder how long it will last. Thanks
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Old 04-03-2013, 15:55   #2
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pirate Re: Shelf Life of Baking Soda and Yeast?

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Planning on spending the next winter in the Bahamas where I hope baking soda and yeast can be purchased but I plan to buy some in Florida and wonder how long it will last. Thanks
Don't you guys have 'Best use by dates' on your packaged goods...?
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Old 04-03-2013, 16:00   #3
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Re: Shelf Life of Baking Soda and Yeast?

Probably, and are those dates good for heat/humidity?
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Old 04-03-2013, 16:09   #4
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pirate Re: Shelf Life of Baking Soda and Yeast?

Yeast... buy the type that comes in idividual sachets.. baking powder buy small tins/containers and screw lids back tight after use..
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Old 04-03-2013, 16:14   #5
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Re: Shelf Life of Baking Soda and Yeast?

thanks
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Old 04-03-2013, 16:36   #6
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Re: Shelf Life of Baking Soda and Yeast?

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Don't you guys have 'Best use by dates' on your packaged goods...?
them's more what ye might like to call "guidelines" than actual rules......

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Old 04-03-2013, 16:43   #7
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Re: Shelf Life of Baking Soda and Yeast?

FWIW, I just baked with baking powder with a "Best By" date of Feb 2007. Worked good, but it has been kept in a tightly closed container in a pantry in an air-conditioned house, so YMMV.

I don't think yeast is as forgiving, but with yeast you can proof it first and see what happens.
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Old 04-03-2013, 16:58   #8
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Re: Shelf Life of Baking Soda and Yeast?

As for drugs, the expiration date on the label is effective if the container has never been opened, and if it was maintained at the recommended temperature. Once the container is opened, that expiration date is worthless. Mauritz
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Old 04-03-2013, 17:21   #9
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Re: Shelf Life of Baking Soda and Yeast?

Yeast is cheap in the Bahamas, at least no more than in the States. To test baking powder put some in hot water, if it fizzes, it's fine.
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Old 04-03-2013, 17:32   #10
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Re: Shelf Life of Baking Soda and Yeast?

Get with it and get a shrink wrapper and the stuff will last almost forever on a boat or in your home !! We are useing 8 yr old yeast right now and its baking bread just fine !!
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Old 05-03-2013, 06:53   #11
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Re: Shelf Life of Baking Soda and Yeast?

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Get with it and get a shrink wrapper and the stuff will last almost forever on a boat or in your home !! We are useing 8 yr old yeast right now and its baking bread just fine !!
+1

Also can be used to keep things from rusting in humid climates!
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Old 05-03-2013, 06:58   #12
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Re: Shelf Life of Baking Soda and Yeast?

for anti acid as in batteries--yes,baking soda is a tool--it lasts indefinitely.
for baking--donot know.
yeast has a date stamped onit--use by....acknowledge that date and cook will within the dates bought an d use by....it doesnt last log--remember yeast is alive, and does have a specific date by which it dies.
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Old 05-03-2013, 07:41   #13
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Re: Shelf Life of Baking Soda and Yeast?

Baking soda if sealed to minimise air exposure, will last well past its expiry.

Yeast on the other hand is very sensitive to temperature. I use sachets here in Greece and have found in summer if I keep them in the galley at air temperature they fail. The ones purchased at the same time that are stored under the settee stay close to water temperature and last without any problems.

To save disappointment I always tip the yeast granules in a cup of warm water with a little sugar and check that it is frothing madly at the 10 minute mark. If not, try another sachet .
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Old 05-03-2013, 12:22   #14
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Re: Shelf Life of Baking Soda and Yeast?

G'Day all,

Should clear up at least one point: Baking SODA is simply bicarbonate of soda and is pretty stable if kept reasonably dry. Baking POWDER is a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and mild acid, usually tartaric, crystals. That mixture is activated by water, so if your stored BP is exposed to atmospheric moisture it will degrade over time and eventually become useless.

Yeast as others have pointed out is a living organism in a dormant state. Its storage life span seems to vary quite a lot (in our experience). Ann (who is the baker on board Insatiable II) always proves the yeast and increases the quantity if the proof reaction isn't up to her expectations. We've found that the foil packets usually will exceed their written life expectancy, but occasionally fail far sooner... possibly due to unseen defects in the packaging.

Cheers,

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Old 05-03-2013, 12:31   #15
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Re: Shelf Life of Baking Soda and Yeast?

There's also dried yeast. Lasts forever when stored dry which should be easy bcs it's packed in air tigh portion packs.
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