Sauce mixes

[Hosenbugler]

I've a few of those dehydrated packet sauces lurking in the distant back of a cupboard. , you know, Schwartz, Colemans etc.

Only thing is, the use by/best by dates go back to 2005 in some cases.

Anyone know if they will be usable? I'm assuming as long as the integrity of the packet is good , as they are dehydrated powder , they should be ok. Anyone any experience of ancient sauces?

Ta!

[C0ffin D0dger]

Might have degraded a bit over time but unlikely to make you ill. If it looks / smells okay when you open it then I'd use it.

[944fan]

Hosenbugler said:

Anyone know if they will be usable? I'm assuming as long as the integrity of the packet is good , as they are dehydrated powder , they should be ok.

Without sounding like an enormous snob I doubt they were "usable" when the were in date! :-)

[sgrimshaw]

944fan said:

Without sounding like an enormous snob I doubt they were "usable" when the were in date! :-)

Well you failed there then!

[rsbmw]

Some of the Schwartz packets are OK, Colmans on the other hand

For the 50p a replacement would cost, I probably wouldn't bother using a 10 year old one.

[truck71]

944fan said:

Without sounding like an enormous snob I doubt they were "usable" when the were in date! :-)

This, sling em but not because of the date. Most likely got a massive salt content meaning they will last forever and mask any flavour they may once have had.

[soad]

Far too much emphasis on dates, if you ask me.

The spicing might have 'faded' and any fats might be a little rancid - I'd dip a damp finger in and have a taste before using.

[944fan]

One Christmas when I was about 18 my Mum brought out the pot of cayenne pepper that only got used to go on the egg/prawn mayonnaise starter at that time of year.

I commented that it didn't taste of much. When we checked the sell by date it had passed 2 years BEFORE I was even born.

[condor]

For the 50 odd pence that a packet of sauce costs nowadays, why bother possibly ruining the meat or fish that the sauce is to accompany?
Also , if you haven't used the packet sauce in 10 years, it is highly unlikely to be used in the next 10.

[evilmunkey]

i used a chicken chasseur sauce mix last week from colemans... was about a year out of date but was bloody lovely.

[soad]

condor said:

For the 50 odd pence that a packet of sauce costs nowadays, why bother possibly ruining the meat or fish that the sauce is to accompany?
Also , if you haven't used the packet sauce in 10 years, it is highly unlikely to be used in the next 10.

I'm inclined to agree, despite my earlier post.

[Hosenbugler]

Thanks for the thoughts folks. I'm looking at using about half a packet as a stock substitute in the slow cooker. Just a way off hopefully adding flavours. I'll try them before adding to the mix , just to be on the safe side. If it seems in any way not right, its down the sink for it.

[Cotty]

They now do packets specially for the slow cooker. As I have constantly had failures I thought I would try one. Curry one looks nice.