There will be some days when all you crave is some delicious treats. On a long day, in the afternoon, you find yourself craving something sweet. You find a lollipop that has been on the table for a couple of weeks. It looks fine, but is it? How long do lollipops stay good to eat? Does candy expire?
In short, hard candy lollipops last for a very long time. If you store them properly, they can be enjoyed for many years to come. For our lollipops, we set the expiration date to one year.
Exploring the process of making a hard candy lollipop will help us understand why hard candy lasts for so long.
Lollipops are generally made with sugar and corn syrup, with a bit of flavoring and coloring. There can be variations of ingredients, but those are the basics.
Does Sugar Expire?
Sugar is a natural preservative that prevents bacterial growth. When granulated sugar is added to food, it attaches to water. This results in a lower concentration of water that prevents the growth of microorganisms. This inherent nature of sugar allows it to be good for many years to come.
Does Corn Syrup Go Bad?
Corn syrup is also very resistant to expiring. Bacteria have a hard time growing in sugary environments like in corn syrups. Corn syrup can last many years when left unopened at room temperature. If it is opened, it is best to consume it within 6 months.
For more information on how to tell if corn syrup is bad, see our blog post here:
https://sparkosweets.com/blogs/news/does-corn-syrup-go-bad