5 days ago
The seal says to refrigerate after opening. But the storage instructions elsewhere on the packaging (including the English translation) say to keep it in a cool, dry place.
I think keeping it in a cool, dry place should be fine.
Actually, I don't think the two statements necessarily conflict—"refrigerate" may refer to situations where you can't use it all up shortly after opening.
The English translation on the packaging says to store in a cool, dry place, but the seal says to refrigerate. This is probably not a translation error, but rather guidance for different storage stages. Once opened, mushroom-based seasonings tend to absorb moisture and clump, and refrigeration can slow down spoilage. However, the temperature difference when taking it out can cause condensation, which actually increases the risk of moisture exposure, so storing it in a cool, dry place also makes sense. The key is how often you use it and how you take it out.
You mentioned that the packaging says to store in a cool, dry place. Could you point out exactly where those instructions appear? For example, are they near the ingredients list, or in a separate storage section? Packaging sometimes changes between batches, so I'd like to confirm whether we're looking at the same version.
Once opened, it's safer to keep it refrigerated—especially mushroom-based seasonings, which are prone to moisture and insects.
If you plan to use it up within a month or two and reseal it immediately after each use, storing it at room temperature in a cool, dry place should be fine. But if the humidity is high, or you use it sparingly and it will last a long time, follow the seal's instructions and refrigerate it—just be sure to put it back quickly after each use to avoid repeated warming. Those few extra seconds early on can save you the hassle of clumping and spoilage later.
It's true that "refrigerate after opening" versus "store in a cool, dry place" can be confusing. In practice, if your kitchen is humid or close to the stove, keeping it at room temperature may not work well—especially during the plum rain season in the south. Is it dry where you are?