Last week a reporter and blogger from the NY Times called to asked us about the practice of bringing leftover Halloween candy to work.
I know, I got stuck on the same part. People have LEFTOVER candy. What?
Her questions were along these lines: Do people like it when co-workers bring leftover candy to the office? Is there something better you can do with it? How long does candy last?
Once I got over the shock, I realized that there is still candy in our Halloween bowl at home and that some people might consider that “leftover”. And sure, I can even see the appeal of bringing it to work (well, maybe not here, where we have a room like this one, but in another office). Is that really the best option, though?
I think it’s okay to bring some of your candy to work … but keep in mind that your co-workers all have their own bowls of undispersed candy to contend with and that it’s just as likely to sit unopened at work as it is at home. Plus, you may find you have even more occasion to overindulge at work than you do at home. The key to healthy consumption of candy, Halloween or otherwise, is to remember that candy is a treat that can be included in moderation as part of a healthy, active lifestyle. Halloween candy, in particular, is an excellent way to include some sweetness in your diet since it comes in small-sized packaging.
If you have lots of extra candy, you may want to look into an organization like Soldiers’ Angels who make care packages for servicemen overseas (note that they have three addresses to send goodies and ask that you pick the location closest to you). Alternately, there may be groups in your area that work with at risk youth – maybe even kids who didn’t have a chance to celebrate Halloween – who would appreciate a donation.
Finally, don’t assume that your candy has to find a new home in two weeks time. Stored properly, candy last for months. Here are some storage tips:
Shelf Life and Storage Suggestions
- Chocolate. Dark chocolate can be kept for a year or more if wrapped in foil and stored in a cool, dark and dry place. A pantry or basement is an ideal location. Milk and white chocolate have a more limited storage time—no more than 8 to 10 months.
- Hard Candy. Hard candies (lollipops, lifesavers, butterscotch) can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in a cool, dry location.
- Jellied Candies. If the packaging has been opened, soft candies should be kept in a covered candy dish, away from heat and light at room temperature (about 70 degrees). Stored in this manner, the candy should last six to nine months. If the packaging has not been opened, soft sweets will last approximately 12 months.
- Candy Corn. If the packaging has been opened, candy corn should be stored under the same conditions as soft candies and will last approximately three to six months. Unopened, fresh packages will last about 9 months.
- Gum. As long as the packaging remains sealed, most gum products have a shelf life of six to nine months. To maximize product freshness, keep chewing gum packages in a cool, dry place and out of any direct sunlight.
- Caramel. Should be kept covered, away from heat and light at room temperature. Stored properly should last six to nine months, even up to 12 months in some cases.
General Guidelines
- Protection in the Pantry. While different types of candy have different storage requirements, generally the pantry is a safe place to stash sweets. Airtight storage in a cool place will ensure a longer shelf life. A number of candies may be frozen as well.
- Wrap it up. Treats such as taffies, caramels and nougats should be protected from dampness during storage. Before storing away, make sure these sweets are wrapped individually with clear cellophane.
- Avoid Moisture Mixes. Do not mix candies that absorb moisture such as caramels, mints and hard candies with candies that lose moisture such as fudge and creamy candies. Storing these sweets in the same container will cause the harder candies to become sticky. To make sure that hard candies stay hard, sprinkle with finely ground sugar and store in an air-tight jar.
- Cryonic Candies. Freezing is a popular method for keeping candy over long periods of time. However, not all sweets are suited for the freezer. While toffee and truffles can be frozen for up to two months, avoid freezing candy with fruits and nuts.
Halloween Candy by aus chick
Chocolate and summer may seem like natural enemies, just like eggs and bowling balls, one being unstable in the destructive presence of the other. However, the trick with chocolate is to rush home with it from the store and put it in your cabinet or candy dish, not let it sit around in the hot car. Put it in the bag with your frozen items for a safe trip home.
Here is the official word from NCA: “Dark chocolate can be kept for 1 to 2 years if wrapped in foil and stored in a cool, dark and dry place. A pantry or basement is an ideal location. Milk and white chocolate have a more limited storage time—no more than 8 to 10 months.” But let’s be honest – who really lets chocolate sit around that long? I don’t buy it as an ornament. I buy it to love and consume it and it loves me too.
Unless you keep your home very warm, a cabinet or pantry is an ideal place to store chocolate. If it’s too warm at home, consider putting it in the icebox. If the chocolate has been opened, simply wrap it up to preserve the freshness.
My purchasing habits with chocolate are much like the way my father describes people buying produce during his years in France as a young soldier. You would go to the market, buy food, eat it and return to the market the next day to buy more food. I am that way with chocolate. Buy it, eat it before it melts, then buy more later. That’s my trick.
So definitely store your chocolate in a way that makes sense to avoid it getting melty and messy, but also be sure to make it feel wanted by eating it promptly.
Do you have any chocolate storage hints to share?
Melting Chocolate by mellyjean.
Storing away sweets is a great way to encourage moderation and ensure that Halloween candy lasts beyond a few weeks. But how long does candy last? And how can you make sure it stays fresh? These are some great tips for keeping Halloween candy alive long after the spooky costumes have been laid to rest.
Shelf Life and Storage Suggestions
- Chocolate. Dark chocolate can be kept for 1 to 2 years if wrapped in foil and stored in a cool, dark and dry place. A pantry or basement is an ideal location. Milk and white chocolate have a more limited storage time—no more than 8 to 10 months.
- Hard Candy. Hard candies (lollipops, lifesavers, butterscotch) can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in a cool, dry location.
- Jellied Candies. If the packaging has been opened, soft candies should be kept in a covered candy dish, away from heat and light at room temperature (about 70 degrees). Stored in this manner, the candy should last six to nine months. If the packaging has not been opened, soft sweets will last approximately 12 months.
- Candy Corn. If the packaging has been opened, candy corn should be stored under the same conditions as soft candies and will last approximately three to six months. Unopened, fresh packages will last about 9 months.
- Gum. As long as the packaging remains sealed, most gum products have a shelf life of six to nine months. To maximize product freshness, keep chewing gum packages in a cool, dry place and out of any direct sunlight.
- Caramel. Should be kept covered, away from heat and light at room temperature. Stored properly should last six to nine months, even up to 12 months in some cases.
General Guidelines
- Protection in the Pantry. While different types of candy have different storage requirements, generally the pantry is a safe place to stash sweets. Airtight storage in a cool place will ensure a longer shelf life. A number of candies may be frozen as well.
- Wrap it up. Treats such as taffies, caramels and nougats should be protected from dampness during storage. Before storing away, make sure these sweets are wrapped individually with clear cellophane.
- Avoid Moisture Mixes. Do not mix candies that absorb moisture such as caramels, mints and hard candies with candies that lose moisture such as fudge and creamy candies. Storing these sweets in the same container will cause the harder candies to become sticky. To make sure that hard candies stay hard, sprinkle with finely ground sugar and store in an air-tight jar.
- Cryonic Candies. Freezing is a popular method for keeping candy over long periods of time. However, not all sweets are suited for the freezer. While toffee and truffles can be frozen for up to two months, avoid freezing candy with fruits and nuts.
What do you do to ensure the candy lasts a long time? Do you have any tips or wisdom you can impart on us?
Candy Storage by Nathan Gibbs.
