Old Cocoa Butter

[sandman_max]

I've got some pretty old cocoa butter which was stored in a dark, cool basement and was never opened until this month. I'd bet it's pushing the 5 year mark which is what I've heard its life expectancy is. I used some in a test batch of soap which turned out rather nice. But I'm wondering what affects might occur in general if the cocoa butter really has gone bad. I'm not detecting any aroma at all, either chocolate or nasty-spoiled. What do y'all think?

Oh - I transferred it to a pint canning jar which is full. Not all that much, maybe enough for another batch of soap.

 

[Soaplady22]

If it looks and smells okay I say go ahead and use it. I've not heard of a 5 yr. time limit. Sometimes the cocoa will develope a white coating - but if it looks okay then it's okay, in my book.
~hth

 

[sandman_max]

nope - no white coating....

 

[Soapy Gurl]

I have used some that was over 5 years old. I found it in my basement soap storage supplies. It worked just fine. Like you explained, it looked perfectly okay, smelled fine, etc. I read that hard butters can last a long time, and I am finding out most of my oils last longer than what is listed.