

Belgian chocolate will only last at room temperature for one to two weeks. Belgian chocolate: As if we need to tell you to eat it in a timely fashion.If you’ve already helped yourself to a few squares, it still has one year left to go (if you don’t devour it by then). Dark chocolate: Unopened bars should last at least two years.Keep it at room temperature or in the fridge for up to two years. Baking, bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate: Less dairy means a longer shelf life.If the wrapper or bag has been torn, you have eight to ten months to use it. This creamy treat can stay at peak quality for up to a year at room temp or in the fridge unopened. Milk chocolate: We heard we’re supposed to trade this for dark now that we’re grownups, but we refuse.Unopened, it can last for up to six months in the pantry and even longer in the fridge.

White chocolate: Since it’s pretty much all dairy and cocoa butter, white chocolate’s shelf life is a little more fickle than bittersweet or dark chocolate.Here are some guidelines for a few popular types: (Sorry, white- and milk-chocolate lovers.) Semi-sweet, bittersweet and dark chocolates have a better chance of surviving a long stint in the pantry. The higher the milk content, the quicker the expiration.
