Can I Eat This: Dried Chickpeas Left Open in the Basement Edition
September 8, 2021 12:56 PM Subscribe
I've mostly used canned chickpeas because I'm lazy, but I'm nearly out of them, so I went to the basement today to see whatever happened to that 4 lb bag of dried chickpeas that I bought in the beginning of the pandemic. When I got there, I found that the bag (last used at least 6 months ago) was open. Maybe I didn't close it right last time? The chickpeas look fine, and appear to be free of bugs—can I use them?
I want to make chana masala today, so I went to the basement today to get some dried chickpeas to throw in Ye Old Instant Pot.
When I got there, I found that the mostly-full bag of chickpeas was not sealed—evidently the zip-lock didn't engage, or inadvertently got opened. The last time I used these dried chickpeas was at least 6 months ago. The best-by date is 2023, and I checked them over for any signs of critters, etc., and they look fine. Can I use them?
The best I can find online is that sealing them keeps them better longer, but it's still well-before the best-by date.
The basement has a dehumidifier that runs during the spring and summer, when it's humid out, so is generally pretty dry.
Also I've discovered in the last few months that I really like chickpeas, so I'd hate to throw these out—it would be a major facepalm. Doubly-so because apparently dried chickpeas are much cheaper than the canned chickpeas I've been buying.
I want to make chana masala today, so I went to the basement today to get some dried chickpeas to throw in Ye Old Instant Pot.
When I got there, I found that the mostly-full bag of chickpeas was not sealed—evidently the zip-lock didn't engage, or inadvertently got opened. The last time I used these dried chickpeas was at least 6 months ago. The best-by date is 2023, and I checked them over for any signs of critters, etc., and they look fine. Can I use them?
The best I can find online is that sealing them keeps them better longer, but it's still well-before the best-by date.
The basement has a dehumidifier that runs during the spring and summer, when it's humid out, so is generally pretty dry.
Also I've discovered in the last few months that I really like chickpeas, so I'd hate to throw these out—it would be a major facepalm. Doubly-so because apparently dried chickpeas are much cheaper than the canned chickpeas I've been buying.
As long as they are dry, they are fine. They will be well-sterilized in the pressure cooker, if that makes you feel any better, but dried legumes are good for many, many years, as long as they stay dry.
posted by ssg at 1:05 PM on September 8, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by ssg at 1:05 PM on September 8, 2021 [3 favorites]
Even if they had bugs, they'd be fine once you rinsed them. So feel free to rinse them if you're extra concerned.
Enjoy!
posted by SaltySalticid at 1:15 PM on September 8, 2021 [4 favorites]
Enjoy!
posted by SaltySalticid at 1:15 PM on September 8, 2021 [4 favorites]
Agreed that you can eat them safely. However, I've found that dried beans get worse with age, and the experts agree. They will probably be fine, but I'd just cook them in water first and then taste a couple to see if the texture is appropriate before adding the sauce/vegetables/etc..
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 1:15 PM on September 8, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 1:15 PM on September 8, 2021 [4 favorites]
I'd rinse them, as they'll be dusty. Other than that, yeah, that's what dried beans are for!
posted by Lyn Never at 2:06 PM on September 8, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by Lyn Never at 2:06 PM on September 8, 2021 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: Thank you all! I figured they’d be safe but better not to poison my family—you know how it is.
The chickpeas were delicious!
posted by vitout at 3:42 PM on September 8, 2021 [12 favorites]
The chickpeas were delicious!
posted by vitout at 3:42 PM on September 8, 2021 [12 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by 10ch at 1:03 PM on September 8, 2021 [28 favorites]