Canned fava beans offer convenience nutrition and great flavor. But with any canned food, it’s important to understand proper storage to maximize freshness and shelf life. This guide will cover everything you need to know about how long unopened canned fava beans last.
We’ll discuss
- Shelf life of unopened canned fava beans
- How to store unopened canned fava beans
- How to tell if canned fava beans are spoiled
- What do can codes mean?
- Tips for enjoying canned fava beans
Armed with the information below, you’ll get the most from your canned fava bean investment. Let’s dive in!
How Long Do Unopened Canned Fava Beans Last?
Unopened canned fava beans have an impressively long shelf life. When properly stored in a cool, dry pantry, unopened canned fava beans will stay fresh for 3-5 years past the “best by” date on the can.
Canned fava beans may start to slowly lose quality after the best by date, but they remain safe to eat if the can is in good condition. Discoloration, texture changes, and flavor degradation are signs quality is slipping over time. But the beans won’t pose any safety risk as long as the can is intact.
The keys to maximizing shelf life are:
- Store cans in a cool, dry place. Avoid temperature extremes.
- Keep cans off damp floors which can corrode metal.
- Rotate stock using older cans first.
- Inspect cans to ensure they are free of dents, bulges, and rust.
Follow these guidelines and unopened canned fava beans should retain optimal quality for 3-5 years past the date on the can.
How to Store Unopened Canned Fava Beans
It’s important to store unopened canned goods properly to maintain quality as long as possible. Here are some canned food storage tips:
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Store cans in a cool, dry place around 50°F-70°F. Avoid temperature extremes.
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Keep cans in a dark pantry or cupboard. Light can accelerate deterioration.
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Store cans off the floor on shelves or racks to prevent dampness.
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Clean up spills which can lead to rust if left on cans.
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Avoid storing cans near heat sources like ovens or dishwashers.
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Keep canned goods in a moderately humid spot. Very dry air can dry out food.
Following these guidelines provides ideal storage conditions for unopened canned foods like fava beans.
How to Tell If Canned Fava Beans Are Spoiled
It’s rare for canned goods stored properly to go bad, but occasionally spoilage does occur. Here’s what to look for when evaluating your canned fava beans:
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Bulging or leaking from the can. Don’t open or eat these cans!
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Corrosion like rust or discoloration of the can. Can integrity may be compromised.
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Dents are okay if shallow. Deep dents or sharp punctures are concerning.
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Lid doesn’t seal properly or makes popping noise when opened.
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Contents smell unpleasant or look abnormal. Don’t taste!
As long as cans pass inspection and have been stored in reasonable conditions, the contents should be shelf-stable and safe to eat quality notwithstanding. But if in doubt, remember – when in doubt, throw it out!
What Do Can Codes Mean?
Check the can for a “best by” date code stamped on the bottom or lid. This isn’t an expiration or safety date, but rather an estimate of when optimal flavor/texture starts declining.
You may see codes like:
- Best By
- Best Before
- Best if Used By
- Use By
These all indicate the date by which the manufacturer estimates peak quality. The canned fava beans are likely still good for a long while after. Judge by smell, appearance, and your own taste preferences.
For unopened cans stored properly, you can typically enjoy several years beyond this best by timeframe before the beans degrade in noticeable ways.
Tips for Enjoying Canned Fava Beans
Canned fava beans offer versatility and convenience. Here are some serving tips:
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Use in soups, stews, pasta dishes for added protein.
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Mash beans into spreadable dip.
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Sauté with olive oil, garlic, rosemary for easy side dish.
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Purée with tahini, lemon, and spices for fava bean hummus.
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Toss whole beans in vinaigrette salad.
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Mix into rice pilaf or couscous.
With proper storage, unopened canned fava beans can be kept on hand for quick and easy plant-based protein any time. Follow the storage guidelines above to keep cans fresh for 3-5 years or more past that best by date.
Tips for storing beans
- Dried beans can be kept for up to a year in a container that keeps air out.
- Cover and refrigerate within two hours of cooking.
- You can cover cooked dried beans and keep them in the fridge for 5 to 7 days or freeze them for up to 6 months. Put a date on the beans and store them in a container made for freezing food that won’t let air in or heavy foil that is tightly wrapped around the beans.
- You can store canned beans that haven’t been opened for up to a year. Look at the best before date on the can.
- After washing canned beans, put them in the fridge in a glass or plastic container that won’t let air in. Don’t put them in the open can. They will keep for 3-4 days.
- You can also freeze opened canned beans for 1-2 months. Date the beans and store them in a container made for freezing food that won’t let air in or tightly wrapped in heavy foil.
Beans are a nutritious choice
- Beans are low in fat and high in fiber and protein. Some of the minerals and vitamins they have are iron, potassium, and folate.
- Health Canada recommends choosing plant-based foods, like beans, more often. Regularly eating plant-based foods can help keep you from getting heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.
- Salt is not in dried beans, but it is often in canned beans. To lower the amount of salt in canned beans, either drain the water and rinse them well, or choose beans that don’t have any salt added.
HOW LONG does CANNED FOOD last? Survival Tip
FAQ
How long are unopened canned beans good for after expiration date?
When should you not eat fava beans?
How long do canned green beans last after the expiration date?
Are canned baked beans good after the expiration date?
How long do canned fava beans last?
Properly stored, an unopened can of fava beans will generally stay at best quality for about 3 to 5 years, although it will usually remain safe to use after that. Are unopened canned fava beans safe to use after the “expiration” date on the can or package?
Can one eat fava beans unpeeled?
Fava beans should not be eaten whole without peeling. This shell cannot be digested by the human body, being harmful to health.
Are canned fava beans safe?
Yes, provided they are properly stored and the can is undamaged – commercially packaged canned fava beans will typically carry a “Best By,” “Best if Used By,” “Best Before”, or “Best When Used By” date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer’s estimate of how long the canned fava beans will remain at peak quality.
How long do canned beans last?
Store canned foods in a cool, dry place; dependable recommendations typically indicate that good storage will maintain quality for 2 to 5 years. Avoid cans that are dented, leaking, rusty or swollen or have bulging tops. Once those beans are opened, though, the clock starts ticking!