When buying filled mooncakes, it is recommended to consume them immediately, especially those with higher water content. The shelf life is usually between 5 to 7 days, with a maximum of not more than 10 days. In temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, the storage time should be shortened to no more than 7 days. As for mooncakes with fresh meat, shredded chicken, or ham, freshness is emphasized even more.
When storing mooncakes, considering their high fat content, it is not advisable to seal them tightly for a long time. It is suggested to place the mooncakes in a breathable basket, cover them with clean white paper, and keep them in a cool, ventilated, and dark place to prevent the fats from deteriorating. Another method is to put the mooncakes along with their packaging box in the refrigerator’s cold storage room, which can moderately extend their shelf life. Before consumption, take them out and let them return to room temperature for an hour to ensure the best taste.
Although the refrigerator can help prolong the shelf life of certain types of mooncakes, it should be noted that this may affect their flavor. During the baking process, the starch in mooncakes softens, and a low-temperature environment causes the starch to release moisture and harden, leading to “retrogradation,” which makes the mooncakes hard and compromises their taste.
Furthermore, when storing mooncakes, attention should be paid to isolating them from other foods and miscellaneous items to prevent flavor transfer and to maintain their unique taste. Also, it is essential to ensure the cleanliness of the storage environment to prevent pests like cockroaches, ants, or mice from approaching and causing contamination or disease transmission.
