Is my dried food spoiled?

[Jannike]

Hi,
I'm occasionally cooking japanese food. By occasionally I mean that I do it for some months and then I stop for a while, I'm that kind of person unfortunately.
Now when I look at my japanese groceries like different algae, konbu, hijiki etc. and all my tempura mixes and flours every package says best before 07-something, at least 6 months to maybe over a year ago.
Are they spoiled or can I use some of them? What happens to algae and flour after a long time, when they're packed up and all?
Maybe it's just the nutrition value that's gone down a bit?
I could of course restock but it would be easier to use some up as I have a long way to the nearest Japanese grocery store here.
I hate when I leave food to spoil :auch:

 

[bruno]

Throw them away !!
Mould fungus is bad for your health.
(also when invisible !! )

 

[undrentide]

It really depends on how those dried things were stored.
If the algea is "nori", then it tends to become a bit soft and loose its flavour, maybe it should be thrown away.
If it is hijiki, konbu or wakame and they have been kept dry, they should be still OK.

As for flour, if it was stored in a sealed container and/or in a very dry and dark, cool place it might be OK but if you are not sure, throw it away.
And you must not hesitate about the flour which package was opened and past the "best before" date for more than 6 months, do throw them away!

I also don't like wasting food but as bruno mentioned, your health is much more important than saving money...

 

[bruno]

You cant make good japanese cooking with old ingredients !
This is against the jp.kitchen-philosophy !
"fresh as fresh can be " !

 

[Jannike]

I think I will keep the sealed algae. I will go and buy new food as soon as I have the time.

It's really a long way to go, and it takes all day to get the groceries as I have to go by train, subway and my own feet and the of course back again

If if tastes funny though I'll definately throw them out.
I'm sorry if it's against the policy of japanese cooking but at least I'll only be
cooking for me and my boyfriend :sorry:

 

[aoc gold]

Spend more time with your family and friends,eat your favorite foods,visit the places you love.

 

[Pepe]

Dry goods, if unopened and well packaged, can often still be consumed well after the best-before date. Having said that, 12 months is still pushing it (even for my adventurous tastes!).

 

[nanook]

I do hope, that your boyfriend has a good health insurance.

 

[Jannike]

We don't need a good health insurance.
Health care is free for all in Sweden