Christmas will soon be upon us and some savvy shoppers may already be looking to stock up on some essentials. Mince pies are a staple in UK households across the festive period and one supermarket has already started stocking them.
However, there’s a catch – they need to be eaten by November. The mince pies were spotted by an eagle-eyed Co-op shopper who noticed the traditional Christmas treat being sold at a store in Ickenham, near Uxbridge, west London, for just £1.50. The boxes of six Co-op Merry Mince Pies, which are 15p more expensive than last year, will be out of date by Friday, November 7.
As reported by What’s The Jam, the bemused shopper said: “It just seems rather pointless. For one it’s way too early to be thinking about Christmas and these won’t even make it to mid November.
“They will have to be eaten nearly seven weeks before the big day. Although £1.50 for six is tempting.”
Co-op isn’t the only supermarket already selling mince pies. It was reported just days ago that shelves in Tesco are also stacked full of festive goodies months before the big day.
Like the boxes sold in Co-op, their use-by date falls way before Christmas (and even Halloween) on Monday, October 6. Shoppers should consider this before stockpiling food for the months ahead.
Commercial mince pies typically have a long shelf life due to preservatives. They usually last for a few months which is longer than homemade mince pices which are best consumed within a few days.
Mince pices made with reduced or no sugar also have a shorter shelf life. It’s important to know how to store them to extend their freshness as long as possible.
The fridge is the first storage option for many foods that come to mind, but it’s not always the best. Pastries can turn from dry to soggy when kept in the fridge, which can be just as unpleasant as those lacking moisture.
It is instead recommended to use an airtight tin or container to store mince pies. This method also ensures that the flavour is also preserved.
