Condiments

Can Mayonnaise Go Bad?

February 12, 2020

Mayonnaise is one of the kitchen staples that some of us use all the time, while others only from time to time. And if you belong to the second group, you’ve probably wondered on more than one occasion if mayo can go bad.

At a certain point, even if it looks perfectly fine, you start to think about how long does that stuff last.

Or maybe you’re a bit hesitant about storing leftover salads or sandwiches with mayo.

You’ve probably heard a few times that this condiment causes food to spoil quicker and that results in food poisoning. Thus you usually throw out leftovers with mayo as a precaution. And right now you decided to actually check if your fears have some truth to it or not.

Either way, if you’d like to learn a bit about mayonnaise, this piece if for you. Below we talk about whether or not mayo goes bad, how to tell if it’s spoiled and if it requires refrigeration. If any of these topics sound interesting to you, continue reading.

Will Mayo Cause My Salad Or Sandwiches To Spoil?

For starters, let’s talk about stories of mayonnaise going rancid, causing other foods to go off early, and being a cause of food poisoning. In short, that’s a misconception ([WebMD][DM]).

Mayo is highly acidic, which prevents bacteria from growing in it. Guess what’s not highly acidic and doesn’t protect itself much from harmful bacteria? The rest of the ingredients in your salad or sandwich.

So if you ever got food poisoning from some food with mayo, the condiment is the least likely to be the culprit. The fact that it was there didn’t by any chance speed up bacterial growth.

And if almost every time you got stomach pain was after eating food with mayo on a picnic, keeping food in warm temperature was probably the issue, not the presence of mayo.

Okay, I think I made it clear, let’s now talk about spoilage of mayo itself.

Mayonnaise in a glass bowl on a wooden table

Can Mayo Go Bad? How Long Does It Last?

The main ingredients of mayonnaise are oil, egg yolks, and vinegar or lemon juice ([WIKI]). Besides the yolks, the rest of the ingredients lasts quite a long time and don’t spoil quickly. Hence the shelf life of mayo is quite long, often a year or even more.

Each jar comes with a best-by or best-before date, which indicates the minimal period of how long the mayo should retain quality. And since mayo, besides the long-lasting ingredients, usually has some additional preservatives in it, it can easily last a few months past that date if unopened.

If you were to ask how long exactly, there isn’t a right answer. It all depends on the quality and ingredients of the condiment. So a mayo that contains little to no preservatives will keep well for a shorter period than one loaded with them. That’s true for pretty much any type of food.

If it’s only a month or two past the date, it will probably be perfectly fine. And almost certainly won’t be spoiled. The worst-case scenario is the oil starts to separate, and you will probably decide to throw it out for quality reasons. Or try to reconstitute it by stirring it.

Avocado Mayo — *Image used under Creative Commons from cassaendra*

When it comes to opened mayo, it should easily last a few months in good quality if refrigerated. It’s quite similar to mustard or ketchup in that many people store them open for even half a year and they still taste perfectly okay. But when you notice that the quality starts to degrade, it’s probably time to let go of this jar and start a fresh one.

Again, when exactly will that happen depends on the quality of ingredients used and the number of preservatives added to the condiment.

Scooping mayonnaise with a spoon — (credit: Sara Cervera)

If you wanted to know how long will your sandwich with Hellman’s mayo last, it depends mostly on the rest of the ingredients and how you store it. If it sits in the fridge, and well wrapped, it should probably last in decent quality for a day or even two. If it’s in your lunch box, the sooner you eat it, the better.

I know some people ask you to bring some ice cubes in your lunch box to keep the sandwiches cool, but that’s too much of a hassle in my opinion. Best to put the box in the fridge once you arrive at the office. If that’s possible, of course. And if you don’t finish your sandwiches by the end of the day, throw them out.

So to answer the main question, store-bought mayo definitely can go rancid or spoil, but it takes quite some time until it gets to that point. What’s more likely to happen is that you discard it because its quality is not good enough anymore, and not because eating it will make you sick.

Mayonnaise, eggs, and veggies — *Image used under Creative Commons from Samuel Paz*

How To Tell If Mayo Is Bad?

Okay, so you know that it takes a long time until mayo spoils in a way it’s unsafe to eat. And in most cases you will want to throw it out much sooner, that is once you find it unappealing. Let’s talk about how that might look like.

When it comes to spoilage, look for any signs of mold, especially on the neck of the jar. The acidic or putrid smell is the second sure sign that the mayo is off. So if your mayonnaise smells like vinegar, it’s definitely time to throw it out.

If neither is present, the mayo is most likely safe to consume.

Two plates of salad and a variety of sauces — (credit: Saurav Rastogi)

But that doesn’t mean it will be any good in terms of flavor. If the oil starts to separate, mayo turns yellow, or it takes on a noticeably darker shade, the mayo is quite old. And you should think twice before you use it in a salad or top your sandwiches with it.

Same thing if the smell is altered, or you notice any changes in texture, thickness, or taste.

In short, when in doubt, throw it out. If your mayo sits opened in the fridge for half a year, it’s probably better to discard it anyway.

Two cups of tacos and various sauces — (credit: Diego Marín)

How To Store Mayonnaise So It Lasts The Longest?

Store-bought mayo doesn’t require much in terms of storage. Room temperature is perfectly fine ([DM]), so a cupboard in the pantry or kitchen is perfect. Just don’t let it sit in sunlight and high temperature and it should be fine.

Once you open the container, you can either leave it at room temperature or refrigerate it. Technically, mayo doesn’t require refrigeration so it won’t go bad if you accidentally leave it out overnight. But it won’t retain quality for long at room temperature. Because of that, refrigeration of opened mayo is recommended ([DM]).

Unless you plan on finishing the jar within a week or two, it’s better to keep it chilled in the fridge.

To avoid any accidental microbial contamination, make sure to always use clean spoons to scoop mayo. I know you sometimes don’t feel like standing up and going for an extra spoon to grab some mayo, but that’s the right thing to do. Especially if you have a big jar that’s just opened. If would be a waste if any bacteria got there and caused the mayo to spoil.

Last but not least, freezing mayo alone isn’t a good idea. The thickness and texture of thawed mayo won’t resemble the original one much, and you’ll likely find it gross. Similar thing for salads and sandwiches, and other dishes with mayo. The one exception here is baked goods where you use mayo as shortening. These tend to freeze well ([DM]).

In a Nutshell

You can store unopened mayo at room temperature
Once you open the jar, it’s better to keep mayo in the fridge, but it won’t go bad if you leave it out overnight by accident
Mayo doesn’t spoil easily, and it’s more likely that you will discard it because of poor quality, not because it’s gone off
Mayo doesn’t make other foods go bad faster

References

[WebMD] 9 Food poisoning Myths
[DM] Duke’s Mayonnaise: Frequently Asked Questions
[WIKI] Wikipedia: Mayonnaise

Can Lime Juice Go Bad?

February 12, 2020

Nothing like a little lime juice to add a zesty zing to your favorite dishes. Or adding some acidity to your stews, soups, salads, or even pies. Not to mention you can use it to prevent cut fruit from browning or add a fresh kick to a drink.

But despite its versatility, most of us don’t use it that often. And once the opened container sits in the fridge for a few days, we start thinking about whether or not it goes bad. Or if there’s a way of keeping it around for longer.

Or perhaps you’re new to lime juice, and you noticed that it started browning only after a few days of opening the carton. You wanted to throw it out the moment you saw that change of color, but you decided to check online if, by any chance, browning isn’t normal and maybe you could still use that juice.

Or you’re simply looking for some info on how to tell if your lime juice is bad. You already know that it keeps well for a long time, and a natural next thing to do would be learning how to spot spoiled lime juice.

If any of these questions sound familiar, you’re in the right place. Below we will go through such topics one by one, so by the end of the article, you will know exactly what you should do with your lime juice no matter your current situation.

Can Lime Juice Go Bad? How To Tell If Lime Juice Is Bad?

Like all juices, lime juice can go off. But unlike popular beverages such as apple juice or orange juice, store-bought lime juice lasts a long time after opening the bottle. And it doesn’t spoil that easily.

When it comes to how to tell if lime juice has gone bad, it’s a bit tricky. Generally, lime juice, like lemon juice, is highly acidic ([WIKI]). And as you probably know, that makes it impossible or at least very difficult for any bacteria to live and multiply. That makes the juice long-lasting and not prone to spoilage.

Because of that, in most cases, you will decide to discard the liquid because its quality is terrible, and not because it’s unsafe for drinking or moldy.

The first thing we need to talk about when it comes to quality is the browning of the juice.

If your lime juice has turned brown, it’s normal, and it doesn’t mean the product is spoiled or anything ([KLJ]). You can still use it, and it will work as well as a healthy-looking one does.

The only caveat is that if you depend on the juice to add color to whatever you’re cooking, you probably need to open a new one.

The browning is in most cases caused by a lack of refrigeration after opening, so think about how you can level up your lime juice storage game for the next container.

For citrus fruits and juices, the smell is usually the best indicator of quality. So give it a good whiff before using it if it sits open for a long time. If what you feel isn’t a fresh citrus aroma, throw it out.

If the juice looks and smells alright, taste it, and based on that decide if it’s good enough to use or not.

One more thing worth remembering is that store-bought lime juice comes with a date on the label. And if the liquid has passed that date, be extra cautious before using that juice. But please note that it shouldn’t go off or even bad quality-wise for months past that date. Like vinegar, it’s highly acidic and keeps quality really well.

Last but not least, if you’re for any reason not sure that the lime juice you have on hand is safe for use, throw it away. If it’s past the date on the label and you don’t feel comfortable using it, get rid of it. When in doubt, throw it out.

Now that you know how to tell if this citrus juice is okay or not, it’s time to cover how long it keeps quality.

Growing limes — *Image used under Creative Commons from Duy Thuong Ngo 吳惟尚*

How Long Does Lime Juice Last?

Every container of lime juice comes with a date on the label. And pretty much always it’s a “best-by” date that informs you for how long, at the very minimum, the juice will retain quality.

And like almost all store-bought juices in cartons, lime juice easily lasts a few weeks or even months past that date while unopened. I mean the juice is acidic, and the package keeps the outside world at bay, so there’s not much that can happen there.

Unless, of course, something was off the moment the juice was bottled. But realistically speaking, the worst-case scenario is the liquid doesn’t taste super fresh.

Limes and a green smoothie — (credit: Alina Karpenko)

Once you open the container, it’s a new territory for some of you. Most juices, like OJ, need to be finished within a few days of opening. Lime juice, on the other hand, keeps quality for months after opening.

Generally, producers recommend finishing the bottle before the date on the label ([KLJ][RL]), even if the container is already opened way earlier.

What if you opened the bottle if it was already past the date on the label? Just try to finish it as soon as possible. It will most likely retain freshness for at least a month or two, possibly even more, but better don’t put that to the test.

Make sure that before using the liquid you check it for any signs of going wrong and you’re golden.

Sliced lime on grey bowl — (credit: Luke Besley)

Last but now least, if you bought a bunch of limes and squeezed them yourself, try to use all of that juice within a couple of days, maybe up to a week.

Commercially-bottled citrus juices are pasteurized and often have preservatives that help them last a long time even after breaking the seal. Your homemade lime juice doesn’t have either, so it’s much more prone to spoilage and degrades in quality much faster.

Knowing that, it’s probably time to talk a bit about storing the juice, so it lasts at long as possible.

Lime slice and water bubbles — (credit: Lesley Davidson)

How To Store Lime Juice? Do You Have To Refrigerate Lime Juice After Opening?

So you’ve bought a few cartons of key lime juice, got home and stored them away in the pantry. Up to this point, you did everything right. As long as the spot doesn’t change temperature often and is fairly cool, the juice can live there for months. If it’s in a see-through bottle, keep it away from light, as that might affect its quality too.

Once you open the bottle, remember to seal it tightly once you’re done with it. And it’s best to put it into the fridge upon opening ([KLJ][RL]).

Technically, you can keep that juice at room temperature for some time, but it will brown relatively quickly and will lose its freshness too. Hence the fridge is where you should keep that opened bottle if you want it to preserve its freshness for months.

When it comes to homemade lime juice you made for your lime pie, keep it in the fridge at all times. Just like you would do with any other fruit or veggie juice you made yourself.

Glasses of lime juice — (credit: Alexander Mils)

But what if you wanted to keep the lime juice around for longer? While store-bought one lasts a long time, the homemade one doesn’t. And wouldn’t it be cool if you could store the leftovers for later? Enter freezing lime juice.

Can You Freeze Lime Juice?

As I already mentioned, commercially-bottled lime juice has an exceptionally long shelf life, so freezing it usually isn’t necessary. But if you made too much lime juice and didn’t want to discard the leftovers, freezing is an option.

We usually use lime juice in small quantities, hence freezing the liquid in an ice cube tray seems like the best option. Here’s how to go about it.

First, pour the juice in the cubes and put the tray into the freezer. Once the cubes freeze, feel free to transfer them to a freezer bag, so they take less place and free up the tray.

If you find it useful, add a label to the bag, so you know what’s in it. And that’s it.

Whenever you need some lime juice for a recipe, to add to a drink instead of ice, or use in any other way, you can pick up a few cubes, and you’re good to go.

Defrost in the fridge or add in frozen if possible. And if you find the cubes too small, you can use a muffin tray instead.

In a Nutshell

store-bought lime juice has a long shelf life, and can easily last months even after opening
once you open the container, keep it refrigerated, so it doesn’t brown
brown lime juice is harmless
you can freeze your leftover homemade lime juice if you won’t use it within a few days

References

[KLJ] FAQ – Nellie and Joe’s Famous Keylime Juice
[RL] ReaLemon: FAQ
[WIKI] Lime

Can Ketchup Go Bad?

January 31, 2020

Ketchup is certainly a pantry staple, but how much thought have you really given to this condiment? Can ketchup go bad? How do you store ketchup?

Well, whether you buy your ketchup at the grocery store, or make it at home, read on for the answers!

Bottle of Heinz ketchup — (credit: Pedro Ribeiro)

Can Ketchup Go Bad?

While condiments seem as though they’ve all got an indefinite shelf life, ketchup (or catsup) actually can go bad. Because of the acidity of the tomatoes and vinegar, and the amount of sugar, ketchup has a pretty long shelf life. An unopened container of ketchup can remain stored for up to two years past the printed expiration date.

Once the bottle is opened, it will last for another year in the refrigerator. If you’d rather keep your ketchup at room temperature, the shelf life for an opened bottle in your pantry is about a month, though you should check for signs of spoilage before consuming the ketchup.

Homemade ketchup will have a far shorter shelf life, remaining good for about two to three months in the refrigerator, when properly stored. However, if you like ketchup enough to make your own, you’ll probably finish the batch in less than three months!

Heinz Tomato Ketchup — *Image used under Creative Commons from Mike Mozart*

Signs that Ketchup Has Gone Bad

As ketchup ages, the vinegar and other liquid will begin to separate out from the tomato paste in the condiment. You’ve likely experienced the beginning stages of this when you go to squeeze out some ketchup, and find a splash of liquid instead. A little separation is fine, and can be shaken back together, but eventually, the liquid will separate out too much to be mixed back in.

As ketchup continues to age, the color will begin to darken. While the darker color doesn’t necessarily indicate spoilage, it’s surely a sign that the ketchup’s shelf life is coming to an end. You’ll definitely want to use it up quickly!

Because of the preservative quality of the vinegar in ketchup, it’s highly unlikely that mold will grow on this condiment, though it is still possible.

Mold growth in ketchup definitely indicates spoilage, and the ketchup should not be consumed. Mold may also grow on the cap of the bottle. In addition to growing mold, ketchup can ferment, especially if left at room temperature or warm environments.

If the ketchup bottle appears bloated, or makes a popping noise when opened, the bottle has likely fermented and should not be consumed. A sour, or yeast-like smell also indicates that fermentation has occurred.

Burger, ketchup, and fries — (credit: Angelo Pantazis)

How to Store Ketchup

Unopened bottles of store bought ketchup should be kept in a cool, dark place, away from heat or direct sunlight. Once the bottle is opened, ketchup should be refrigerated to maximize shelf life. Homemade ketchup should also be stored in the refrigerator, in a tightly sealed container.

Be careful to keep the bottle cap clean, to prevent contamination and possible mold growth. Simply wiping any buildup off of the cap, and making sure it’s dry before replacing on the bottle should be enough to keep contamination at a minimum. When using a utensil to get ketchup out of a glass bottle or jar, just be sure the utensil is clean.

Condiments on a table — (credit: Charisse Kenion)

Can You Freeze Ketchup?

While ketchup technically can be frozen, it’s not recommended for extending the shelf life of this condiment. Freezing will drastically change the texture of the ketchup once it has thawed, making it gummy, and quite unpleasant. Additionally, the shelf life of ketchup is already quite long, and won’t be extended by freezing.

To preserve homemade ketchup for longer periods of time, try canning! Because of the high acid content in ketchup, a water bath method of canning should be fine. If all proper procedures are followed, canned ketchup can be stored at room temperature for a year. Be sure to keep canned ketchup in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight or heat.

Can Hot Sauce Go Bad?

January 31, 2020

Hot sauce has become pretty trendy lately, and as a result, more varieties of hot sauce are available at the grocery store. With so many options to choose from, of course you’re going to try a few different types! Can hot sauce go bad and should you think twice before stocking up on a bunch of varieties?

Can Hot Sauce Go Bad?

Like all condiments, hot sauce can go bad, though it’s highly unlikely. As there are many different types of hot sauce, the shelf life depends on the ingredients, production method and packaging. Most commercially packaged brands of hot sauce contain mainly vinegar and chile peppers, which both act as natural preservatives. These highly acidic sauces can last for years, and in fact, for the most part, commercial hot sauces don’t really go bad. Once hot sauce has been opened, the quality will begin to degrade at a quicker rate, though the sauce should still be safe to consume for several years.

Hot sauces that have fruit or other flavors added have the potential to go bad at a far faster rate, and should be refrigerated. It’s best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions with flavored hot sauces.

Homemade hot sauce will have a significantly shorter shelf life, because it typically has fewer preservatives and less exact preparation methods. A fresh chile hot sauce that has not been boiled will only keep for about two weeks in the refrigerator. A cooked hot sauce that has been properly bottled can last in the refrigerator for around six months.

Signs that Hot Sauce Has Gone Bad

Most hot sauces come with a “best by” date printed on the bottom. This isn’t doesn’t indicate the expiration date, so much as a suggestion as to how long the hot sauce will still retain its quality. After this point, the flavor and level of spiciness may have diminished significantly.

Over time, hot sauce may darken and separate. While this doesn’t necessarily indicate spoilage, it is a sign that the quality is beginning to decline. As the bottle is used more, any buildup should be wiped off with a clean cloth, as this buildup can grow bacteria.

Any sign of mold, though unlikely, indicates that the hot sauce has gone bad, and should be discarded immediately. Any sour or otherwise unpleasant smell is another indication of spoilage, and the hot sauce should not be consumed.

How to Store Hot Sauce

Many commercial hot sauces have a low enough pH to be stored at room temperature. The low pH (high acidity level) means that bacteria and other harmful pathogens have an incredibly unlikely chance of growing in the sauce. This means that many commercial hot sauces can actually be kept in a cool, dark place for many years, even after they’ve been opened. Of course, you should always check the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure.

Refrigeration is not necessary for most brands of commercial hot sauce, though it can certainly help to preserve the quality of the hot sauce for a bit longer. Freezing commercially made hot sauce won’t necessarily be beneficial, as the shelf life of hot sauce at room temperature is so long.

Homemade hot sauce should be tightly sealed and stored in the refrigerator. So long as the hot sauce has a low enough pH, it can be canned in a hot water bath. Properly sterilized and canned jars of hot sauce should be shelf stable for up to a year, if kept in a cool, dark location (or in the refrigerator).

Homemade hot sauce that has not been canned in a water bath can keep for several months in the refrigerator. While it’s not worth keeping homemade cooked hot sauce in the freezer, as the shelf life will not really be extended, fresh hot sauce (uncooked) can be frozen for up to two months.

Can Horseradish Go Bad?

January 31, 2020

Horseradish makes such a nice addition to many sauces and marinades, but you really only can use a little bit at a time. That open jar of horseradish is just sitting in the back of your fridge. Can horseradish go bad and how long will it last?

Can Horseradish Go Bad?

Though this condiment is made with a lot of vinegar, which is a great preserving ingredient, horseradish can go bad. An unopened container of prepared horseradish will have a shelf life of about a year, depending on the preparation. After this point, while the horseradish may still be safe to consume, the quality will have declined.

Once commercially prepared horseradish has been opened, it will last for about four months when properly stored in the refrigerator. After this, the flavor will likely have degraded to the point where it’s simply not pleasant to continue consuming. Horseradish becomes bland and then bitter over time, so always taste test a bit before adding it to a recipe.

Fresh horseradish root is a different story. When properly stored whole, horseradish can remain good for several months. However, once the horseradish is cut into, it will begin to lose flavor and should be used as soon within a few days.

Image used under Creative Commons from TheDeliciousLife

How to Store Fresh Horseradish Root

Fresh horseradish root has a very short season, and so storing the root long term is necessary if you’d like to use fresh horseradish year round. The easiest method to store whole horseradish is to clean and dry the root, wrap it in two layers of aluminum foil and then wrap the whole thing in plastic wrap. The root will keep for two months in the refrigerator this way. A slightly more difficult method with similar results is to place the root in a dark box, surrounded by sand, and store in your cellar, away from moisture, light or heat.

You can also preserve fresh horseradish in a jar, covered in vinegar. Make sure to tightly seal the jar, and keep in the refrigerator for up to three months. Once you use the horseradish, the vinegar also makes a great base for salad dressings or marinades!

Freezing horseradish root is the third option, though it can have mixed results. The best way to freeze horseradish root is in a vacuum sealed bag, so air exposure won’t destroy the delicate flavor compounds. Horseradish can be stored this way for several months. Thaw in the refrigerator, and use as you would fresh.

How to Store Prepared Horseradish

Unopened prepared horseradish can be stored in a cool, dark place or in the refrigerator until you with to use it. Once opened the horseradish should be stored in the refrigerator in a tightly sealing container to retain the potency and flavor. Be sure to keep the lid tightly sealed to keep all of the flavor compounds intact.

To extend the shelf life of prepared horseradish, try freezing it. Scoop teaspoon sized dollops of horseradish on a cooking tray, leaving about an inch of space in between, and freeze until solid. Transfer the bits to a freezer bag to save for later use. This should keep the horseradish flavorful for three to four months.

Signs Horseradish Has Gone Bad

Because of the high vinegar content, preserved horseradish is unlikely to spoil. Instead, it will become bland over time, losing its pungency, and can even start to taste bitter. While it may not be unsafe to consume at this point in time, your cocktail sauce won’t taste very good. Smell and taste the horseradish before using it in a recipe to make sure the taste is right.

If the horseradish begins to show signs of mold, it has become contaminated and should be discarded.

Can Dijon Mustard Go Bad?

January 31, 2020

It’s probably safe to assume that everyone has a jar or bottle of dijon mustard somewhere in their kitchen. Whether it’s in the fridge, leftover from the family barbecue over the summer, or that mysterious unopened bottle in the back of your pantry, you may be asking yourself, “can dijon mustard go bad?” How should you store this condiment, and what exactly is the shelf life of dijon mustard?

Can Dijon Mustard Go Bad?

Surprisingly, dijon mustard actually can go bad. While many of the ingredients in dijon mustard are natural preservatives, the condiment will degrade in quality over time. Typically, the shelf life of unopened dijon mustard is around two to three years past the printed expiration date on the label. After that point, the mustard will begin to decline in quality. While the jar or bottle of mustard should still be safe to consume (so long as it has not been opened) it might not taste as good!

Opened mustard has a shorter shelf life, and can last in your refrigerator for up to two years, if tightly sealed and kept away from moisture and contaminants. After this point, the quality will begin to decline, and repeated use could lead to contamination. Always check the mustard for signs of spoilage before using it!

Image used under Creative Commons from jeffreyw

Homemade mustard does not have as long a shelf life as commercially produced and bottled brands. If you’ve made homemade mustard, and it is tightly sealed, it could last for anywhere between a few weeks to six months in the refrigerator, depending on the recipe. Because of the variation in potential shelf life, you should always check for signs of spoilage before consuming homemade mustards.

Signs Dijon Mustard Has Gone Bad

While dijon mustard will typically not spoil in the traditional sense, it can still go bad. After a period of time, mustard will begin to dry out, and become much darker in color. At this point, the mustard should not be consumed. Similarly, mustard will separate over time. While this may not necessarily indicate a safety hazard, it is an indication that the mustard has begun to spoil.

Moisture that accumulates in the bottle can lead to mold and bacteria growth. For this reason, you should always make sure to tightly seal jars or bottles of mustard. Any sign of mold growth indicates spoilage, and the mustard should not be consumed.

If the mustard has an off smell, or the bottle has swelled, there could be some unwanted bacterial growth. These are sure signs that the mustard has gone bad, and should not be consumed. Similarly, if there seems to be pressure in the bottle, or it makes a popping noise when opened, the mustard has spoiled and should be discarded. Tightly sealing the container, and using clean utensils when serving mustard will help to eliminate these issues.

How to Store Dijon Mustard

Unopened containers of dijon mustard can be stored in your pantry, or in another cool, dark place. Be sure the container is kept away from heat and moisture.

Once opened, jars or bottles of mustard should be refrigerated to ensure the safety and quality of the condiment. While mustard can be stored in the freezer, it’s likely that the mustard will separate, and may not mix back together completely. Additionally, freezing mustard will not extend its shelf life beyond the year that it can last in the refrigerator, so there is little benefit to freezing mustard.

If you’ve made homemade mustard, canning is a good option for preservation. Depending on the acid content of your mustard, most recipes can be processed using a water bath. If you follow proper sanitation and canning methods, the resulting sealed jars of dijon mustard should remain shelf stable for up to a year. Be sure to store jars of mustard away from moisture, light or heat for best results.

Can Chocolate Syrup Go Bad?

January 31, 2020

A classic ice cream topping, and certainly the favorite milk flavoring of kids everywhere, chocolate syrup has a solid place in refrigerators everywhere. Of course, it’s easy to forget about that bottle in the fridge (or that spare unopened one in your pantry) as months get colder and ice cream with chocolate syrup seems less appealing. How do you know it’s still good? Can chocolate syrup go bad and how can you tell if it has spoiled?

Can Chocolate Syrup Go Bad?

While unopened chocolate syrup can last for a very long time when stored properly, it will eventually degrade in quality, and then spoil. The shelf life of chocolate syrup will depend on the brand, production method and ingredients, but commercially produced and packaged chocolate syrup typically has a shelf life of around three years past the printed expiration date. Of course, this could be shorter (or longer!), depending on the storage conditions.

Once a bottle of chocolate syrup has been opened, it will typically stay good for about six months, when tightly sealed and stored in the refrigerator.

Homemade chocolate syrup has a much shorter shelf life. Homemade syrup should be refrigerated within two hours of making, and stored in a tightly sealed container.

Image used under Creative Commons from jamieanne

How to Tell If Chocolate Syrup Has Gone Bad

Visual signs are a good indicator to see whether chocolate syrup is still good to consume. If there is any mold, or the syrup has separated, then it has gone bad and should be discarded. Syrup that has become hard, or that has thickened or darkened considerably has also gone bad, and should not be consumed.

A sour or otherwise unpleasant smell is another indicator that the chocolate syrup has spoiled, and should not be eaten.

To reduce contamination of homemade syrup, be sure to use a clean spoon when scooping syrup out of the container. If homemade syrup thickens quickly after chilling, it has likely not spoiled, and can simply be reheated before consuming.

How to Extend the Shelf Life of Chocolate Syrup

If unopened bottles of chocolate syrup are stored in a cool, dark place, they shouldn’t need an extension to their already long shelf life. Of course, once syrup has been opened, the shelf life reduces to about six months. If that date rapidly approaches, and you realize that you’ve still got quite a bit of syrup you’d like to save, freezing is an option.

When store bought chocolate syrup is frozen, the moisture in the syrup will form ice crystals, and the texture could change, so you should reheat the syrup before using it again. To freeze, transfer the syrup into a freezer safe, airtight container and seal tightly. Chocolate syrup can be frozen for about six months before the quality begins to degrade. Thaw frozen syrup overnight in the refrigerator for best results, and then heat if desired and use as normal. Once syrup has been thawed out, it should not be refrozen, as this will drastically reduce the quality.

You can extend the shelf life of homemade syrup by freezing or canning it. Frozen homemade syrup will crystallize and undergo texture changes when thawed, but this can be corrected by thinning out the syrup with a bit of liquid while heating. Canned homemade syrup, when canned and stored properly, will have a shelf life of up to a year. Because chocolate syrup doesn’t need to be canned in a pressure canner, and can be processed in a water bath, this is an incredibly easy way to store extra syrup, while retaining its quality. Plus, you’ll still have extra space in your freezer!

Can Barbecue Sauce Go Bad?

January 31, 2020

Barbecue sauce is such a delicious addition to any burger, chicken wings, or grilled vegetable dish. Of course, you won’t always need the whole bottle for a recipe, and may not have an idea in mind for the rest for a while. That half empty bottle of barbecue sauce from the family picnic last summer may have you scratching your head, and wondering, “can barbecue sauce go bad?”

Can Barbecue Sauce Go Bad?

Like most condiments, barbecue sauce can go bad after a while. If the sauce remains unopened, and the bottle is kept in a cool, dry place, the shelf life can be up to a year. However, once the barbecue sauce has been opened, the shelf life is reduced to about one month in your pantry. Refrigerating opened barbecue sauce will increase its shelf life to six months. After this time, the sauce will likely still be okay to consume, but the taste, texture and quality will have changed.

Homemade barbecue sauce will have a shorter shelf life than sauce bought from the store. Typically, you’ll want to consume homemade barbecue sauce within a month, and should store it in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container.

Image used under Creative Commons from John Liu

Signs of Spoilage

Though barbecue sauce contains high amounts of sugar, and vinegar, which both act as a natural preservative, it can still spoil over time. Typically, you will be able to see a decline in quality with color changes in the barbecue sauce. The sauce will darken over time. While it may still be safe to eat the sauce in this state, the taste and texture may have degraded. Depending on the ingredients and the type of sauce, you may also notice some separation. So long as the sauce otherwise looks and smells fine, this is normal and does not indicate spoilage. The bottle may be shaken to mix the ingredients again.

Barbecue sauce can also spoil if any contaminants are inside the bottle. Moisture or food particles can increase the likelihood of mold growth, especially in warmer environments. If you see any signs of mold, the sauce should be discarded. You can eliminate the chance of this by ensuring that no moisture actually enters the bottle, so be careful when cleaning the extra sauce off of the top!

Should the barbecue sauce develop an off odor, or should the container start to expand, as if there is a buildup of air pressure, then the sauce has gone bad and should not be consumed.

Storing Barbecue Sauce Long Term

You can certainly freeze store bought barbecue sauce, if you know that you won’t finish the rest of the bottle within six months, or if you’re concerned about refrigerator space. Be sure to pour the sauce into a freezer safe container with a tightly sealing lid, and leave enough room for expansion. If the container is filled to the top, the barbecue sauce might expand too much, and the bottle could explode. Sauce can be frozen for up to a year, and can be thawed overnight in the refrigerator, or on the counter in a warm water bath. You could also freeze sauce in an ice cube tray and transfer the cubes to an airtight container, so that you can thaw individual portions of sauce. Once thawed, the sauce should not be refrozen, to preserve texture.

You can also freeze homemade sauce with the instructions above, though canning might be a better option if you’ve made a large batch of sauce. Vinegar-based sauces can be canned with a water bath. If proper procedures are followed, the barbecue sauce should stay good for a year in a cool, dark place.

Can Soy Sauce Go Bad?

January 31, 2020

Soy sauce is a popular condiment (extremely popular in Asian cuisine) and quite a few people want to know if it can go bad. That’s a great question because there are quite a lot of people who claim that it can’t go bad. Are they right? Not entirely – the chances of soy sauce going bad within a few years after buying are pretty small though.

Soy sauce is loaded with sodium (just like other soy-derived product: miso paste) and such environment isn’t a good place for any microorganisms to develop. That’s why it technically should be safe to consume after many years (provided it was stored properly), but it won’t necessarily be of best quality.

Do you want to learn more about storing and shelf life of soy sauce? If so, read along!

Chicken wings and soy sauce — (credit: rick)

Storing soy sauce

As long as the bottle of soy sauce is unopened, the pantry seems to be the best place to store it because there’s both cool and dry in there. After the bottle is opened, you can either store it in the pantry or transfer it into the fridge.

If you’ll use the sauce within a couple of months, storing it in the pantry is sufficient. If you’d like to, however, store it for a longer period of time, consider keeping it in the fridge. This way it will remain of great quality for longer.

After opening the bottle, remember to always keep it sealed tightly, so any contaminants won’t be able to find their way into the sauce.

Dipping sushi in soy sauce — (credit: Luigi Pozzoli)

Shelf life of soy sauce

If you’d take a look at the label on the bottle, you’d probably find a ‘best by’ date, which is a pretty good starting point. As long as the bottle in unopened, it’s said that its quality should remain at its best for about three years.

After opening the bottle, the sauce should be tasty for about a year or two (of course depending how long it was stored before opening). So as long as the date on the label isn’t drastically shorter, stick to those dates.

After the mentioned period of time the sauce won’t go bad (provided it was stored properly), but it’s quality might not be that great, even though it would be safe to consume. The quality deteriorates slowly over time, so a fresh soy sauce is always better than one stored for 3 years.

Fish and soy sauce — (credit: Agto Nugroho)

How to tell if soy sauce is bad

If the sauce will be stored without its cap on, some impurities might find their way into the bottle and start to grow mold (there would need to be quite a lot of them to do that though). That’s probably the only way sauce might go bad in a way that it won’t be safe to eat.

If a bottle of soy sauce wasn’t stored properly, or you aren’t sure how it was stored, there are few things you can do to make sure if it’s still fine or not.

Basically, look for any impurities or signs of mold in the sauce (you might want to pour the contents of the bottle into a glass to make sure what’s in it). Another thing to consider is the smell of the sauce. If it’s off, discard it. Last thing – you can taste it if. If you’re not satisfied with the quality, trow it away.

Summary
As you should know by now, soy sauce can go bad, but it’s very unlikely to happen. If stored properly, it would be safe to consume for many years, but it’s recommended to use within 2 to 3 years because its quality deteriorates over time.

Can Mustard Go Bad?

February 13, 2020

Mustard is one of the condiments that you either use regularly or hardly at all.

When I was a child, we always had hot sausage on a Sunday breakfast, and if you’re like me, that dish isn’t complete without mustard. So we would finish every jar of mustard within a few weeks tops.

Now I don’t eat hot sausage that often anymore, thus an opened jar tends to sit in the fridge for months on end. And at a certain point, you start to think if mustard can actually go bad. And if so, how to tell if it’s already bad.

Hot dogs with mustard — (credit: TheBusyBrain)

Or perhaps you’re trying out different varieties like Dijon, French, or Honey mustard. And you’re wondering if there are any significant differences between these in terms of storage or shelf life. Or if the condiment actually requires refrigeration after opening.

If any of these questions have brought you here, you’re in the right place. Below we go through things like spoilage, shelf life, and storage of mustard. If you’re ready to learn a bit more about this condiment, read on.

Can Mustard Go Bad?

Like pretty much any food, mustard can go bad. But unlike most foods, it’s quite unlikely to happen.

On Wikipedia ([WIKI]), you can read that mustard can stay safe indefinitely due to its antibacterial qualities. And it makes sense if you look at the ingredients list. It usually includes mustard seeds, water, vinegar, and lemon juice, all of which last a long time. Plus vinegar and lemon juice are often used as preservatives in various foods and dishes.

Plus an unopened jar or squeeze bottle protects its contents from the outside world, so it’s not like a bunch of rogue bacteria will get inside and try to multiply in the mustard.

In short, an unopened container should easily last many years without ever going bad. But even knowing that, I’d be quite hesitant to open mustard that’s 10 years old, and I guess you would be too.

Heinz yellow mustard — (credit: Pedro Ribeiro)

Once you open the mustard, oxidation and general “access to the outside world” kick in. Oxidation can cause browning ([WIKI]), and the condiment might dry out and lose some of its flavors after an extended period of storage. But unless a bunch of microorganisms gets into the jar, it should still stay safe quite a long time.

Even though mustard can stay safe to eat indefinitely, it doesn’t mean it always does.

If it’s opened for more than a few months, make sure to regularly check the insides of the jar or bottle for any signs of mold. Giving the condiment a good whiff before pouring it onto your hot dog is also a good practice.

If there’s no organic growth inside the container and the mustard smells alright, it should be safe to eat. But safe to eat doesn’t always mean it’s good in terms of quality. Speaking of which, let’s talk about how long mustard keeps well.

How Long Does Mustard Actually Last?

Okay, so you already know that mustard can last indefinitely, at least in theory. And as I mentioned above, it doesn’t mean it will be tasty and flavorful forever.

Similar to other popular condiments such as mayonnaise and ketchup, mustard degrades in quality over time. And while the speed of that process differs a bit between various styles of mustard, the general guidelines are pretty much the same. That means they apply no matter if you have horseradish mustard, American mustard, or you went with the Dijon, French, or Chinese.

As long as the container is unopened, you can easily store it for a year or two past the date (often called expiration date, but it has little to do with it, actually) on the label. In fact, the yellow condiment should still be quite alright even after 5 years, but I understand if you decide to throw out such old mustard without opening it.

When it comes to an open jar or bottle, the condiment should retain quality between 6 and 12 months in the fridge, and about a month or two if you store it at room temperature.

And what if the quality isn’t that good anymore? Should you just discard the mustard? Not necessarily. Some of the typical quality issues can be easily fixed.

Mustard in a clean glass jar — (credit: Elevate)

Mustard Quality Issues and How To Fix Them

Before we move to the storage section, let’s talk about some quality issues with mustard that’s been opened for a while, and what you can do about them.

Separation is one of such issues, and you can fix it by merely giving he condiment a good stir with a tablespoon or a fork. Just so you know, separation is a natural process and it’s harmless, so it’s not like you’re “fixing” spoiled mustard, or something.

Drying out is another thing that happens, especially if you keep the container unsealed for a long time, or when there’s only a little mustard left at the bottom. To fix it, try mixing some wine or vinegar ([WIKI]). Start with a teaspoon, and add more if required. Give that mustard a taste before using, and if the flavors didn’t blend well, just discard it.

If the mustard has turned bitter, it’s past its prime, and it’s probably best to throw it out.

How To Store Mustard? Do You Have To Refrigerate It?

Storage of mustard is similar to storing BBQ sauce or horseradish. An unopened container should sit in a cool and dark place, away from heat sources.

Once you open the jar, it’s up to you if you refrigerate it or not.

As I mentioned earlier, mustard won’t go bad if not refrigerated after opening, but its quality will degrade quite fast. So if you accidentally left it out overnight, it’s not a big deal.

But as a general rule of thumb, keep this condiment refrigerated after opening. Most companies suggest this practice anyway.

In a Nutshell

Mustard can stay safe pretty much indefinitely, but its quality can’t stay great forever
As long as the jar is unopened, mustard retains quality for years; once opened, it keeps best for 6 months up to a year in the fridge
You can fix dry mustard by mixing in some vinegar or vine, and separated mustard by simply stirring it

References

[WIKI] Wikipedia: Mustard

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