How long can I keep it?

[Ling]

I would like to buy 2 kg of Valrhona Guanaja wholesale, but I still have a few kilos of various chocolates (some of it Valrhona) that I need to use up first.

How long can I keep bittersweet chocolate on hand? I think I've read that it doesn't go bad for a long time...but thought I'd check with you all first.

[Patrick S]

I've stored chocolate for at least a year with no problem.

[JayBassin]

I've stored chocolate for at least a year with no problem.

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I agree. Keep the chocolate well wrapped and in plastic, and in the proverbial "cool dark place." If it gets too warm you can get a white bloom on the surface, but that doesn't matter if you end up melting the chocolate (the bloom is crystallization due to detempering). The hard part of keeping high quality chocolate is to keep from eating it!

[Ling]

Thanks for your help!

[rich]

According to Guiness, the oldest piece of chocolate is 107 years, 8 months and (as of today) 17 days old (and it's still good). You have a long way to go.

[SuzySushi]

Dark chocolate will keep for several years, as long as it's securely wrapped and stored in a cool place. Milk chocolate has a shorter shelf life due to the milk content.

[etalanian]

I've kept chocolate for five years, well-wrapped and away from heat and humidity. If store it in the refrigerator, though, the humidity there can cause it to bloom.