# What is white stuff on old chocolate?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-white-stuff-on-old-chocolate/632414>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 23, 2012, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-white-stuff-on-old-chocolate/632414 "2012-08-23T20:37:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-white-stuff-on-old-chocolate/632414/1 "2012-08-23T20:37:01Z")

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When chocolate candy sits around for too long, it gets a “white” buildup on the exterior. What is this white buildup? Is it safe to eat?

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**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-white-stuff-on-old-chocolate/632414/2 "2012-08-23T20:44:04Z")

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Google is my friend. There are two types - sugar bloom, and fat bloom. They are safe to eat.

> **[What's this white stuff on my chocolate?](https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/chocolate-bloom.htm#pt1)**
>
> You're about to bite into a luscious chunk of chocolate when you notice its pale, spotty appearance. What's that white stuff -- and is your sweet treat a goner?

Thanks to everyone who helped. 😉

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**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-white-stuff-on-old-chocolate/632414/3 "2012-08-23T20:45:10Z")

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I believe that it is fat, part of the ingredients of the chocolate, a small fraction of which has migrated from the interior of the chocolate to its surface. Yes, it is perfectly safe to eat. It is not mold or bacteria or anything. The flavor may be very slightly impacted, but it will still taste good. It’s chocolate!

ETA: Darn, ninjaed by the OP himself!

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**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-white-stuff-on-old-chocolate/632414/4 "2012-08-23T21:00:21Z")

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> [@Irishman](#):
>
> Google is my friend. There are two types - sugar bloom, and fat bloom. They are safe to eat.
> 
> [http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/chocolate-bloom1.htm](http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/chocolate-bloom1.htm)
> 
> Thanks to everyone who helped. 😉

You’re welcome.

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**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-white-stuff-on-old-chocolate/632414/5 "2012-08-23T21:20:01Z")

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> [@Irishman](#):
>
> Thanks to everyone who helped. 😉

The Straight Dope is a great place to get answers in almost no time. It took barely seven minutes for your OP. Aren’t you impressed?