Out of date dried porcini mushrooms

[twosoups1972]

I won't say how long they are out of date but it's pretty long! They are dried in a jar, have been sitting in my larder. Recipe says to soak them before using. Will they be ok?

I'd try them - once you've soaked them you can see what the taste and texture are like. I've used dried mushrooms which were years out of date and they were fine!

I’m soaking them now, they look ok but I don’t want to get ill!

They won't make you ill. They might not taste of much, but they won't make you ill.

Yeah, I'd use them! I doubt they'd be harmful, just less tasty.

If they don't smell weird once soaked, I'd say you're fine. As they're dried I reckon that like herbs they'll only lose flavour over time - plus I'm sure they're a Best Before type product, not Use By.

Although I'm using some accidentally buried stock cubes BBD 2015 now. I may be a little lax with dates....

they are not out of date

it is a best before date not a use by date they will be perfectly safe I'm sure perhaps just not quite as tasty

a best before date means just that it is a guideline and if you are a cynic a trick to suggest it needs replacing

somethings though perfectly safe after 2 years will be tasteless like dried herbs, others like jam will darken and thicken but still be perfectly safe

if something actually becomes dangerous with time they have to put a use by date on ( milk cheese meat etc)

Previously most stuff didn't have a date at all tinned stuff oxo cubes dried fruit jam etc, some things are fine for years unopened but once opened will only be OK for a short time

Thank you, they smell rich and mushroom-y! It definitely says best before not use by.