Expired sell by date for Madagascar organic vanilla

[lillypaddle]

Sell by date was 11/28/19. The 2 oz bottle is about 3/4 full, and wasn't cheap. It smells good, not rancid or anything. Obviously I haven't been doing much baking in the last two years. However, it is "sell by" and not "expired." Okay to use it? Otherwise, I have some unopened imitation vanilla with a sell by date of 06/20 but I'd really like to use the real vanilla.

What say you, DU bakers?

[ret5hd]

1. Make up a batch of somethin'...anything really...

send it over and I’ll let you know.

[elleng]

2. ;-)

[ret5hd]

4. I'm not a baker, but I'm an excellent judge!

[elleng]

6. Ditto!!!

[lillypaddle]

13. I'm baking a banana walnut cake

with chocolate glaze - lots of it!

[lillypaddle]

8. LOL

I will send it virtually!

[ret5hd]

12. I can virtually taste it now!

[Pobeka]

3. It doesn't go bad. It's just vanilla infused alcohol.

If it smells good, it's good.

Throw out that imitation junk!

[lillypaddle]

9. That's probably why it is unopened

[hedda_foil]

5. The sell-by date isn't related to the use-by date.

Keep it tightly capped in a dark cabinet at room temp and it will be good for at least a couple of years. Even then, it just loses a little of its intense flavor over time. It's basically good forever.

[lillypaddle]

10. Thanks, hedda

That's what I wanted to hear.

[hedda_foil]

14. You're very welcome, lillypaddle!

[Kali]

7. It's fine

Vanilla extract is about 70 proof it's not going to go bad. A bit of the alcohol might be evaporated but it should be fine for a decade or more.

[lillypaddle]

11. I won't live a decade or more, Kali

but sounds like it's good to go for next year or so!

[Kali]

16. LOL!

I have some 40+ year old black walnut extract that still has a tiny bit of liquid left. Not my flavor.

[WhiteTara]

15. It's totally fine

It's base is alcohol and it won't go bad. It would evaporate first. I make my own with vodka and Madagascar vanilla beans. I use the vodka made of potatoes and no chemicals.

[MontanaMama]

17. I'd use it.

If it were rancid you would smell it.

[marble falls]

18. Go for the Madigascar. I bet it's still plenty good. It isn't separating or throwing off particles?

[no_hypocrisy]

19. It's vanilla bean pickled in alcohol. It'll be good.

[lillypaddle]

20. You all are the best!

Thanks for all the feedback.