Dried cranberries are a great snack to enjoy year-round. They’re perfect for adding to cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, and baked goods. But how do you store them so they stay fresh and tasty?
Dried cranberries, because of how they are preserved, can be kept for a very long time, even if you just store them in your pantry. Opened packages can remain good in your pantry for up to 18 months. If you store them in your refrigerator, they can last up to two years. If you freeze them in an airtight container, you can keep them almost indefinitely.
When stored properly, dried cranberries will stay fresh and delicious for a long time. Follow these tips to ensure that your dried cranberries are always at their best.
How Long Do Dried Cranberries Last?
If you’re like me, you’re always looking for ways to make your food last longer. And what could be more perfect than dried cranberries? These little gems can last for months – even years – without losing their flavor or texture. But just how long do they actually last?
Well, according to the USDA, dried cranberries will stay fresh for up to 12 months if stored in a cool, dry place. However, I’ve found that they usually last much longer than that. I’ve had a bag of dried cranberries in my pantry for over two years, and they’re still as tasty as the day I bought them. So if you’re looking for a food that will last, dried cranberries are a great option. Just be sure to keep them stored in an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh for months (or even years) to come.
Do Dried Cranberries Go Bad?
Dried cranberries are a delicious and healthy snack, but like all dried fruit, they can go bad if they are not stored properly. Cranberries are a type of fruit called a “true berry,” and they are high in Vitamin C and fiber. Dried cranberries are made by removing the water from fresh cranberries, and they can last for several months. However, if they are exposed to too much moisture or heat, they will start to spoil. Signs that dried cranberries have gone bad include mold growth, darkening of the berries, and a sour smell. If you notice any of these signs, it is best to discard the berries to avoid food poisoning.
Storage Problems
When considering long term storage for your dried cranberries, a good place to start is understanding why food goes bad in the first place. The biggest culprits that account for food spoiling are oxygen, water, heat, and light. If any of these elements are present in excess, they will cause your food to deteriorate.
Oxygen: Dried cranberries can last for a very long time if they are stored in an airtight container. This is because oxygen is necessary for the growth of mold and bacteria, and it will also cause the berries to darken. If you are using a plastic bag to store your cranberries, be sure to squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing it.
Water: Dried cranberries are hygroscopic, which means they absorb water from the atmosphere. If they are stored in a humid environment, they will start to rehydrate and will become soft and mushy. Prior to dried cranberries being packaged, they have most of the moisture removed. That’s why it’s so important to keep them in an airtight container.
Heat: High temperatures will cause the dried cranberries to deteriorate and will make them more susceptible to mold growth. Store your berries in a cool, dark place, such as the fridge or freezer.
Light: Exposure to light will cause the berries to fade and will make them more susceptible to mold growth. Store your cranberries in an airtight container in a dark cupboard or pantry.
The best way to store dried cranberries is in an airtight container in the freezer. However, if you don’t have a cool, dark place available, you can also store them in the fridge or a pantry. Just be sure to keep them in an airtight container to prevent moisture from spoiling the berries.
Using Vacuum Sealed Bags
This is an excellent process that uses a vacuum sealing machine such as the GERYON Vacuum Sealer Machine to remove all the oxygen from a bag before sealing. These airtight containers are an excellent way to store your raisins for the long term.
- The first step is washing your food to remove any dirt or contaminants hiding in nooks and crannies. If you are repackaging store-bought dried cranberries, you can skip this step.
- Place the dried cranberries in the vacuum bag. You will most likely need to use a specific type of bag compatible with your vacuum sealing machine.
- Put the open edge of the bag into the machine.
- Begin the vacuuming process. Some machines require you to push a button when your bag is ready, while others have an automated sensor that starts the process automatically.
- As the air is sucked out, the bag is heat-sealed.
- Repeat the process until you have packaged all of your dried cranberries.
- Place your sealed bag in a cool, dark location like a pantry or basement.
It is important to note that these bags are not pest-proof, so if you have problems with rats, mice, or other chewing animals, it is best to place them into metal containers that are not susceptible to these threats.
Using Glass Jars
Another to store dried cranberries for the long term is by placing them inside glass mason jars like the KAMOTA 16 oz Mason Jars. While other foods can be stored in these jars using a hot water bath or pressure cooker method since cranberries contain much less water, we will do things differently. For this process, you will need glass mason jars and oxygen absorbers.
These are handy tools made out of iron powder and special materials that allow water to enter the packet trapped through a chemical process. It is essential to understand that once you open it, these packets will begin absorbing oxygen, so you have to use them quickly. Making sure everything is prepared before you begin is a good strategy.
- Collect your dried cranberries and place the desired amount into a mason jar, leaving a couple of inches of space at the top of the jar.
- Place an oxygen absorber inside the jar and close the lid. Do not worry because these oxygen absorbers are safe to place directly on food.
- Repeat until all of your cranberries are securely stored in jars.
- Place the jars in a cool, dark place, and you are good to go.
Unlike vacuum bags, you do not have to worry about any pests getting into your glass jars.
Freezing Cranberries
Freezing cranberries is a quick and easy way to extend their shelf life, provided you have the extra space in your freezer.
- Remove your raisins from their original packaging and spread them out on a small to a medium-sized baking tray. As long as it fits in your freezer, it is fine. Make sure to break up any clumps of cranberries and arrange them in a single layer to make them easier to freeze.
- After an hour or so, your cranberries should be sufficiently frozen.
- Transfer the raisins into a Tupperware or other airtight container and place it back into the freezer.
One advantage that freezing has over other methods is the ability it provides to access your cranberries easily. Take out the container and remove the cranberries you want to use and place it back in the freezer. You can thaw them in warm water, although if you are baking with them, you will not even need to do it.
The Best Method to Store Dried Cranberries
Each of these different methods has its pros and cons. In reality, the best way to keep cranberries for a practically indefinite period is to put them in a sealed container and freeze them.
Using a vacuum sealer and then freezing your dried cranberries will allow you to keep them for a year, and potentially much much longer. The downside of this combined process compared to simply freezing your cranberries is that you cannot easily access them for continued use. You could have separate frozen bags and rotate your supply, which is always a good idea.
Conclusion
The methods that we have outlined in this guide are a great way to extend your dried cranberries’ shelf life. However, there are a couple of caveats you should know about. The truth is that all of these methods will reduce the flavor profile of your dried cranberries to some extent. You cannot beat fresh dried cranberries.
These processes are perfect for storing your dried cranberries to be used for cooking and baking. Anything is better than having to throw away perfectly good food that is simply past its prime.
If you’re still interested in other foods you can freeze for long term food storage, read this article,https://tipsforsurvivalists.com/how-to-store-raisins-long-term-the-complete-guide/