Does sugar go off?

[Oakmaiden]

I have a box of muscovado sugar dated 2012.

I can't decide whether it will be fine or not. It looks fine...

99% sure its fine! Obviously check there are no bugs in there though.

Itll be fine.

should be fine as long as it's dry. sugar is a natural preservative.

Yeah. I'm going for it.

If you don't hear from me again then assume it wasn't fine...

It's a preservative - lots of sugar doesn't have a date on it.

It's it still sugary texture or is is it a solid block?

Good luck!

It's probably solid! Muscovado sugar is naturally quite damp so check it carefully for hard bits or any fusty smells

If its a hard lump, you can soften it. Put in a bowl with a damp teatowel over the top and leave overnight. I've done this for hard brown sugar, but assume it would work on Muscovado also to separate the granules

Well, daughter made flapjacks with it and they look and taste fine.

:)

Sugar has been known to go off, under certain conditions. When it comes into contact with certain types of fungi it can produce an intoxicating chemical that induces relaxation, mild euphoria, drowsiness and disinhibition, as well as headache and gastric symptoms in excess.

It's highly unlikely to happen with packet sugar though. More likely with sugar solutions, jam or fruit juice.