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Basically, I have some shrimp paste, it's a nice, very dark purple colour, and I keep it in the fridge. It's not "dry", but it's dry enough to be extremely firm when I take some out of the jar with a teaspoon.

I'm wondering how long it will last - since it's mostly salt and is very, very thoroughly cooked when used, I'm thinking it will last quite a few months, but would it last a year?

2 Answers 2

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I grew up in a fishing village and making shrimp paste is one thing we do for a living. The good manufacturing practices we observe keep our shrimp paste in good condition for a year and a half. I don’t even put it in a refrigerator.

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  • Keeping it at room temperature really doesn't sound safe...
    – Cascabel
    Oct 10, 2016 at 18:15
  • @Jefromi: Which probably led to the preservation-technique of making shrimp paste, especially when refrigerators weren't available.
    – Arafangion
    Oct 27, 2016 at 23:35
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    "anything that could happen to it, already did happen to it" ;) The question is how well anything else in the fridge will stay taste when there is shrimp paste around :) Nov 8, 2016 at 10:10
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As your shrimp paste is mostly salty, it will last quite a while even without refrigeration. IMHO, it is better to keep it in the fridge as you do. The important thing to remember is to seal it well to cut down on odor leakage. In this way it can sit finely in the fridge over a year.

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  • Screwing the lid on securely is NOT optional, indeed - it stinks until it's been cooked!
    – Arafangion
    Oct 6, 2010 at 12:07

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