Dates should be kept in an air-tight container and can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated up to 6 months, and frozen for up to 1 year. If purchasing dates in bulk meets your personal needs, you may opt to refrigerate or freeze any excess dates.

Is it better to refrigerate dates?

Dates are best stored in the refrigerator in an air tight container to help them retain moisture. They can be stored up to 6 months in the refrigerator, but may lose moisture the longer they sit. Large quantities of dates can also be frozen for up to one year.

What happens if dates are not refrigerated?

Dates can also attract fruit flies and other pests if theyre not stored properly at home. Your best line of defense here is to avoid storing dates in an open container or bag at room temperature, and to keep them in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer.

Do dates need to be refrigerated once opened?

To maximize the shelf life of dates after opening, place in tightly sealed airtight container or heavy-duty plastic bag. Properly stored, dates will last for about 2 months at normal room temperature. Should you refrigerate dates? In hot, humid environments, dates should be stored in the refrigerator.

Do unopened dates go bad?

Dates can go bad just like any other fruit. However, they have a long shelf life, and you will likely eat them before spoiling. However, all fruits ripe over time and rot eventually, so you cant keep dates fresh forever. You can expect their quality declines over time.

Why do dates turn black?

Moisture is a killer for date crops. And this black dust is exactly that, its excessive moisture that has caused the date to turn. Simply put, dry growing conditions equals less moisture for mold to exist, wet environment equals black dust (mold).