The question of whether to refrigerate Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup has greatly been debate among consumers over the years. In this article, we’ll guide you through the methods for storing this product at home, taking into account both manufacturer recommendations and alternative perspectives. Let’s get into what you need to know!
Refrigerate Hershey’s Syrup?
The bottles of Hershey’s syrup state “Refrigerate After Opening”.
However, what’s the purpose of refrigeration?
The logical response is that it is required for safety. We commonly see verbiage printed on packing for perishable foods that reminds consumers to keep the products cold so they don’t spoil.
But, what does Hershey’s say?
If you visit Hershey’s syrup product page on hersheyland.com, a person asked in the Q & A section if the syrup requires refrigeration. The response from The Hershey Company is as follows,
“As stated on the back label, the product must be stored in the refrigerator once opened to extend quality and shelf life and preserve freshness.”
We highly recommend that you follow the company’s recommendation since it goes without saying that they are the expert of their own product.
Be aware that if the syrup is unopened, it will last in the pantry a long time without refrigeration.
CNET states that it is acceptable to leave chocolate syrup unopened in the pantry for up to three years. Once opened, they suggest storing it in the refrigerator for up to six months. Of course, if anything is off with the syrup such as mold or a strange taste, you should immediately discard the product.
Be aware that other chocolate syrup brands may have different refrigeration requirements. Check with the manufacturers for details.
Leaving Hershey’s Syrup Unrefrigerated
The above being said, there are many people that leave it unrefrigerated.
If you check out this Cooking Stack Exchange Q&A, you can read opinions that refrigeration is less about preventing spoilage and more about maintaining the texture and preventing separation.
From the Stack Exchange, “Once in a home kitchen, the problem is not with spoilage (there are plenty of preservatives in it), but that storage fluctuations and use may throw the emulsifiers.”
You can also read stories, like this one on Quora, that claims that Hershey’s syrup had been stored in the pantry without spoilage for up to a year.
Another person on the Amazon product page for Hershey’s syrup indicated the following regarding refrigeration, “You do not have to refrigerate the syrup as long as you keep the lid on/cap the pump to keep out contaminates. Source: Food service, >60yr experience.”
While you have the freewill to keep your Hershey’s syrup unrefrigerated, it’s essential to note that this choice contradicts the manufacturer’s recommendation. Leave the syrup unrefrigerated at your own risk.
You may be wondering why people leave it unrefrigerated in the first place when it is easy to store in the refrigerator?
Well, one obvious answer is space. Many people do not have the luxury of storing non-essential food items in their refrigerator due to it already being overcrowded with essentials.
Furthermore, the syrup’s texture changes when cold. Many people dislike how thick it gets and leaving the syrup at room temperature ensures a desirable flow from the bottle.
Hershey’s Syrup Ingredients
Below are the ingredients for Hershey’s Syrup at the time of this article. Outside of the moisture from the water, there is nothing in the ingredients that stands out as being an item that spoils quickly.
The primary ingredients of corn syrup and sugar, generally, last indefinitely. Additionally, cocoa does not expire but loses its flavor and its texture can be impacted as it ages.
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Corn Syrup
- Water
- Sugar
- Cocoa
- Contains 2% or Less of:
- Potassium Sorbate (Maintains Freshness)
- Salt
- Xanthan Gum
- Mono and Diglycerides
- Polysorbate 60
- Vanillin (Artificial Flavor)
