If there is one thing that Halloween is known for, it’s candy. It really doesn’t matter if you are getting the candy going from door to door trick-or-treating or if you just buy it at a discount when it goes on sale on November 1, you are likely to have plenty of sweets around the house.
If you are like most people, when you see the sales starting to pop up at the beginning of November, you will want to hoard some of that candy for later in the year. That may be fine for certain types of candy but for others, you may want to eat them soon after you get them.
Taste of Home gives us a report on the lifespan of different candies you might enjoy at Halloween.
As far as the longest-lasting candy is concerned, dark chocolate is king. It could last up to two years but a regular Hershey’s bar will only last about 10 months.
Over time, chocolate bars tend to turn white, something that is known as a bloom. You can still eat the chocolate but it is drying out and is not going to have the same texture.
If you happen to purchase any hard candy or jellybeans, they will likely be good until Halloween rolls around next year. Softer candy, such as caramels and candy corn will only last about half a year.
The best way to ensure that you are getting the most out of your holiday candy is to store it properly. If you have a bowl of loose candy, eat it first because wrapped candy is going to last a lot longer. You should also store candy in a cool, dry area, preferably in the dark.