When you get a fresh bag of juicy weed morsels, you may be wondering whether these goodies can be stored in the fridge or need to stay out on the counter. Indeed, proper storage is crucial to amp up their potency and taste, and you naturally want to protect your investment in relaxation.
So, do weed gummies need to be in the fridge? Let’s explore whether refrigeration can sustain the freshness of these edibles and settle the debate on the ideal storage for your cannabis treats.
Should you store weed gummies in the fridge?
If you want to savor the flavor and effects of weed morsels for weeks or even months, let’s get down to the basics first:
- Keep your gummies in a closed-system container or sealed jar. Exposure to air can cause THC and other cannabinoids to crumble over time. A container that does not allow air in creates an anaerobic environment and hinders degradation.
- Avoid extreme temperature changes, which can also spoil your candies. Don’t take them from the fridge to the counter and back again, especially if your room temp is quite high. Keep your tidbits temperature-stable.
- Write the date you first opened your gummies on the container so you know exactly how long they’ve been stored. While these sweets can last for months, their potency may start to subside over extended periods.
With the basics out of the way, let’s move on to the main question: Should you keep weed gummies in the fridge?
Absolutely, yes. The best way to maintain their freshness and potency is to keep your products chilled in a dark place. Obviously, a refrigerator fits perfectly into the description.
Benefits of refrigerating your treats
Since weed gummies are organic edibles, they can spoil like any grocery. Even if external signs of deterioration have not yet appeared, you may still feel a decrease in potency when you consume them.
That’s why you should store weed gummies in the fridge. Doing so does a lot of good for your experience:
- Spoilage prevention. Keeping weed products in the refrigerator slows down oxidation and stops moisture loss. This helps lock in flavor and prevents your goodies from getting stale or hard.
- Potency maintenance. Refrigeration is excellent for retaining the power of THC and many other cannabinoids since exposure to heat and oxygen reduces the strength and effects of your tidbits.
- No melting issues. On a hot summer day, gummies left at room temperature (not to mention direct sunlight) can turn into a sticky mess. A refrigerator blocks heat-related melting so they keep their shape and texture.
- Safety first. Temperature-controlled storage enhances the safety of anything you put in your body. Bacteria proliferate at room temps, but the cold environment inhibits their growth.
In plain English, your fridge is the best place to preserve weed edibles in their ‘fresh-from-the-factory’ condition. Chilling stops them from getting soft, mushy, and misshapen. It maintains their bright colors, genuine flavors, and chewy textures. Just let them sit at room temperature for around a quarter of an hour before eating. This will allow your treats to soften to the perfect consistency.
How long will weed gummies last in the fridge?
It is often a matter of temperature. Let’s find out what temperature is best for storing weed gummies.
Arguably, the rule of thumb for room temp is to set it to 60 and 70 degrees F to preserve the properties of your yummies. Meanwhile, the ideal range for refrigerating goodies is between 36 and 38 degrees F (up to 3.3° Celsius), which is cold enough but not freezing.
Here’s how long weed gummies last in the fridge at these temperatures:
- They stay fresh for no less than 6 months as long as they’re sealed up tight.
- Warmer room temperatures speed up the breakdown of ingredients and shorten their “best before.”
Even though refrigerated edibles have a long storage life, it’s still advisable to inspect them regularly. Always do this before eating:
- Double-check your gummies for any changes in color, scent, or texture.
- If they become crumbly, develop an odor, or have other suspicious signs, discard them.
As with any food product, follow your gut. If anything doesn’t seem right, it’s not worth the risk.
Signs your gummies have gone bad
It happens that we forget about the products we put in the refrigerator. And if you’ve accidentally dug up a container or a bag of weed gummies in the fridge that had been lying there for who knows how long, how do you figure out whether they are fresh or have gone bad?
Your safety comes first, so check these signs to determine if it’s time to toss your gummies:
- They’re hard or dried out. If morsels have turned rock, that’s a sure sign they’ve lost moisture and gone stale. Sadly, once they get hard, they lose potency and taste.
- They have an off-odor. Fresh edibles should smell like their natural ingredients – fruit yummies and cannabis extracts. If they smell musty, sour, or chemically, that unpleasant odor means they should be discarded.
- Mold is growing. The sweets’ high sugar content and moisture may encourage mold growth. If you spot mold, mildew, or fuzzy spots, throw your gummies out without thinking twice.
- The color has changed. If your weed products fade, darken, or become dull, this indicates they’re oxidizing and losing quality. Bright, vibrant colors mean they are still fresh.
Ultimately, while edibles may change in texture or appearance over time, you can take steps to prolong their shelf life. When using the appropriate storage methods, keeping your goodies fresh is real. By following a few simple rules like storing your weed gummies in the fridge (in an airtight jar), putting them in their original packaging, checking for mold, and avoiding temperature fluctuations, you will be rewarded with good potency and ‘fresh-from-the-dispensary’ taste and flavors.
Don’t be afraid to stock up on weed treats. With the tips above, you can keep enjoying them for the next several months.
