How long does apple juice last?
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You may have left half-opened apple juice in the fridge or a fresh bottle in your pantry. You aren’t sure if you can drink it. It shouldn’t go to waste and it’s important to not get sick from drinking it. Then you just have to know about storage, shelf-life, and going bad for apple juice.
Unrefrigerated Apple juice
These juices usually come with a best-by date that tells you how long the juice should keep fresh.
This is a conservative estimate. Juice in unopened containers will last for at least a few more months. Although it is impossible to predict how long it will keep its quality, you can assume at least 3 to 6 months.
The juice should be kept fresh after opening the bottle for at least 10 days or up to 3 weeks. It all depends on the quality of your juice and how it is stored.
Refrigerated apple juice
Refrigerated apple juice usually comes with a use by date printed on the label. It needs refrigeration so it won’t keep for long. It will keep fresh for about a week after the date printed on the package.
After opening the container, it is important to finish the liquid or freeze it within 7-10 days.
Homemade apple juice
It is best to consume homemade apple juice the day it was made. If that is not possible, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Whole Apples can be stored in the fridge for some time, so you don’t have to juice until you want to have apple juice.
How to store apple juice?
Apple juice should be stored in the same manner as other juices such as orange juice or tomato juice.
This means that a carton or glass of unrefrigerated apple juice should be kept in a dark and cool place, away from heat sources and, if it is a bottle, away from direct sunlight. Because both light and temperature can have a negative impact on the juice.
- You can leave an unopened apple juice in the pantry or, a cabinet in the kitchen will also work.
- Keep the container or bottle sealed every time you open it. You have to seal it, use an airtight container, or pour into another bottle that seals better and keep it refrigerated.
- Homemade apple juice or the one bought from a refrigerated section should be kept in the fridge.
- You can freeze any apple juice that you don’t use within a few days.
Although frozen and thawed apple cider might not be the most delicious, a few cubes of frozen juice can be added to a glass of water, and enjoy it. You should therefore freeze your juices in an ice tray.
In other words, store unopened apple juice in the same manner as it was stored in the supermarket, then transfer it to the fridge after you have opened it.
How to tell if apple juice is bad?
The quality of apple juice can degrade before it actually becomes bad. You will notice a slight change in taste and smell.
The juice is still good enough to drink, but it’s not as good after opening the package. You might find that the juice becomes unpalatable at some point. It’s time for it to go.
- A sour taste is the first sign that apple juice has gone bad.
- Get rid of any juice that smells more like vinegar rather than fruit juice.
- If you smell mold or changes in color, it is best to get rid of it. The sniff test is an excellent way to determine if apple juice can still be consumed safely.
- Keep an eye on dates. It’s best to throw out unopened juices that are more than 2 years old by the date printed on the label. The same applies if an opened juice is kept in the refrigerator for longer than 3 weeks and a homemade one for longer than 1 week.
