How to judge whether sesame paste has gone bad

In daily life, people cannot do without any seasoning when cooking. In the north, because of the soybeans grown, most of the oils people consume are soybean oil squeezed from soybeans, while in the south, rapeseed oil, corn oil, and sesame oil are the main oils consumed. Sesame paste is a by-product of sesame oil. It tastes very fragrant and is the best companion to hot pot. How do you tell if sesame paste has gone bad? Let’s find out.

1. How to store sesame paste

Sesame paste purchased from the supermarket can be stored at room temperature before being opened, as long as it is placed in a cool and dry place.

If it is homemade sesame paste, it is best to pour a layer of oil on the surface of the sesame paste first to prevent the entry of external microorganisms and cause the sesame paste to deteriorate. Then place the sesame paste in a dry and clean container, preferably a glass bottle, seal it, and place it in a cool and dry place.

If the sesame paste has been opened, it is best to refrigerate it. If it is still kept at room temperature after opening, it is easy for bacteria to grow, which will affect your health after consumption.

You can also add some salt or preservatives to sesame paste to prevent it from spoiling.

In addition to sesame paste, some sauces such as ketchup, salad dressing, etc. are the same and must be refrigerated after opening.

2. How long can sesame paste be stored?

The sesame paste you buy can usually be kept for about a year if it is unopened. There may be slight differences depending on the manufacturer, such as 18 months for some and only 12 months for others.

If it is homemade sesame paste, the storage time will be relatively short, and it is best not to store it for more than 12 months.

If the sesame paste has been opened, it is best to consume it within three months to avoid the fat in the sesame paste from oxidizing or excessive bacterial growth that may affect your health.

3. Precautions for storing sesame paste

When storing sesame paste, sprinkle a layer of sesame oil on the surface of the sesame paste to isolate the air from the sesame paste, which can ensure that the sesame paste will not deteriorate within its shelf life.

If it is diluted sesame paste, it is best to dry the moisture in the sesame paste in a microwave oven first, and then refrigerate it in the refrigerator so that it can be stored until the next time you eat it.

Also, be careful not to put sesame paste too close to the stove in the kitchen to prevent the stove temperature from being too high and causing the sesame paste to deteriorate.

If the sesame paste is unpacked, it is best to refrigerate it to avoid fat oxidation and corruption of the sesame paste.

If you need to eat sesame paste during the storage period, you must use clean tableware to take an appropriate amount, then continue to seal and refrigerate.

If you need to store sesame paste for a long time, you need to add some preservatives to the sesame paste to extend the storage time.