If the recipe says...

[mrs_sweetpeach]

...it seems to taste better the longer you wait, is twelve years too long?

Back in May of 2000, jebra and I canned several cases of rhubarb chutney. Sadly I have almost two full cases left. The seals appear to be fine but ten years is an awfully long time. Should I try it or should I empty the jars and feed the chutney to the compost pile?

Comments

[bwittig.livejournal.com]

Didn't they find canned goods still edible from one of those polar expeditions after 10-100 yrs? Was it lost or deliberately ignored?

As long as it is still vacuum sealed and smells good, (and tastes good)...it's when they start bulging that you need to call the haz-mat team.

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

I've totally eaten stuff that was canned 20 years ago. No problems here. It made me the man I am today. Oh, wait...

[polly-b.livejournal.com]

Truthfully, I'd be too scared to eat it. But I had a serious case of food poisoning once so I'm gunshy. *shrugs*

[unbroken-halo.livejournal.com]

Um... the general rule of thumb for home canned foods is 12 months. So, I would be very careful opening the jars if you are going to. The seals on the lids can and do shrink with temperature changes, so bacteria may get in. Not to mention some foods going to vinegar or crystalling from age or the sugars used.

[maddiec24.livejournal.com]

I'd pass, but if it's still sealed and it tastes okay, use your own judgement.

[siberian-skys.livejournal.com]

I've had really bad food poisoning, so I wouldn't chance it. I won't even eat something out the fridge after the use by date. Being put on an IV and nearly hospitalized makes me very leery of just about everything.

[thistlethorn.livejournal.com]

I'm in the "I've-had-food-poisoning" camp. As diabetics, it's better not to take the chance, i think. Rhubarb season's not too far away, right? :-) *hugs*

[greenlady2.livejournal.com]

I'm in the 'don't risk it after ten years' camp. A couple of years or so should be fine, but not that long. I know it must feel like a waste, and maybe everything really would be okay, but in my opinion, it's not worth it to risk food poisoning, which can, on occasion, be fatal.

[lolabobs.livejournal.com]

I have no knowledge of chutney and I have no wondrous scrapbooking skills, but I do have the desire to wish you a marvellous and relaxation filled birthday!

Lots of love x

[trillingstar]

I'd be fine with a few years' aging but after that it sounds sketchy. Perhaps it's time to plump up the compost pile. *nods sagely*