Do extracts go bad?

[arabianequine]

I am going to make angel food cake and why I don't know but the recipe calls for orange extract which I happen to have but never use and it is pretty old. Does it go bad? I think I would rather just use my vanilla extract does it matter which I use?

 

[bigmike&nan]

Yahoo or Google Orange Extract, look for a Wikipedia link. I believe that like Vanilla Extract, Orange Extract has a high percentage of alcohol - so NO I do not think it would spoil, it might evaporate a little but not spoil...

Here's the explanation of what many extracts and oils are made of and how they're used. Seems if they are kept in a cool dark place (a cupboard qualifies I would think) you will be just fine. They almost all have alcohol in them which will work as a preservative.


http://www.foodsubs.com/Extracts.html

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

No, extracts have alcohol in them thus they keep for a long, long time.

 

[stoopid]

If you aren't sure, just subsitute a little orange zest. Or some kind of liqueur.

 

[Oregon Blues]

If it smells OK, it is OK to use. They don't spoil, but they loose their strength.