Just saw this forum and thought I would bump up this topic...People often ask how long does Herman last...My wife has just past the 5yr mark,using the mix to bake a cake every 3 weeks. How long can he be left? We go to India for 3 weeks every year and he sits on table till we get home, good stir and we are back on track. You name it my wife has tried it..pear apple cherry strawberry marshmellow.... the list is endless.