Best before june 2015 - is it ok to use?

[HollyCanDoAnything]

Cadbury Bournville Cocoa powder. Just found it in the back of a cupboard. It looks ok, still a powder, not clumpy. Still smells chocolatey.

OK to use? Or bin it?

I'm sure it's safe but if it's only going to make very lumpy cocoa or chocolate cake, I think even I would bin it and buy a new one.

If it was sealed and unopened when you found it, yes I'd give it a go. Chances are it would be absolutely fine. If opened I'd dump it.

I would definitely use that. If it smells and looks okay. You might want to sift it if it's a bit clumpy.

It was already opened. But dry and powdery. Not sure if it would have lost it's flavour or not. I tried mixing some with a bit of milk to see how it tasted, but hard to tell as it's so bitter anyway (and i don't have sugar to sweeten it)

I think there's a big difference between the smell/taste of bitter chocolate and somethign that's off. I would absolutely use it.

I'm pretty easy going and best before are only a guide...but nine years is quite some time 😂

Well it’s unlikely to do you any harm but might not taste great and might not dissolve properly.

What do you want to use it for? I would definitely chance it if it's smelling ok, I'd be more inclined to bake with it than make myself a cup of cocoa and I definitely wouldn't be inclined to put it in to icing 'raw' as such. I have some impressively old stuff in my presses but I use a lot of cocoa so it wouldn't make it there that long. It will definitely need sifting but then cocoa nearly always does anyway, I usually mix it to a paste with boiling water if I'm using it in cake or similar, smells very chocolately when you do that so would be a good test too.

@Comedycook Nine years! The realisation that it's nine years since i last baked a chocolate cake. That's just far too long.

@marylou25 I've just mixed it with hot water, it smells so good.

Now trying to distract myself from thoughts of chocolate cake. Might just walk down to the shop for some sugar, burn off a few calories in advance!

I'd use it if it smells and looks fine. Always best to sieve cocoa powder.