Best before Sept 2007!

Whiteknight

I am planning on doing some baking this week and have found cream of tartar and essence of rosewater which I bought a little while ago both unopened with best before dates way back in 2007.

I am sure that as they are unopened they will be safe to use (as it is a best before not use by date) but as I have never used these ingredients before I am uncertain if I should use them or just buy replacements.

Any advice would be appreciated.

nanokitten

Cream of tartar is tartaric acid which wont really ever go off so should be fine. Have a look at the surface of the powder, if it's a funny colour I'd scrape off the top layer and use some from underneath.
Rose water will create a better environment for bugs and may build up some bacterial content but most bugs should be killed by baking, If you are going to use it without cooking (eg in icing) I may be tempted to replace it. Also it may loose some of it's rose smell so gve it a good sniff as it may have fermented.

LJM

they will be fine ive used cream of tartar way past date also never a problem i tend to stock pile it as i also use it for making my girls playdough