Hello, I'm a confectionery expert with years of experience in the field of candy production and preservation. I'm here to help you understand the shelf life and storage considerations for hard candies.
Hard candies, under the right conditions, can last for a very long time without spoiling. However, they can still go bad due to factors such as
exposure to moisture,
changes in temperature, and
contamination.
When hard candies are properly sealed and stored in a cool, dry place, they can last for several years. But if they are exposed to
moisture, they can start to dissolve or become sticky. If they are exposed to
fluctuations in temperature, they can develop a white, powdery substance known as sugar bloom, which is a result of the sugar crystallizing on the surface. While sugar bloom doesn't make the candy unsafe to eat, it does affect the texture and is generally considered undesirable.
Contamination can also cause hard candies to deteriorate. If candies are stored in a dirty environment or come into contact with bacteria, they can develop mold or other signs of spoilage.
To summarize, while hard candies can last a long time, they are not immune to spoilage. It's important to store them properly to maintain their quality and safety.
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