How Long is Apple Cider Good For: Does It Go Bad?

How Long is Apple Cider Good For: Does It Go Bad?

Did you know that apple cider vinegar can last on the shelf for a very long time? It is so because it is just as delicious after being refrigerated for 24 hours as it is after being left at room temperature for a day or two.

This vinegar is made by combining apple juice and sugar. When you mix them, the sugar is caramelized and forms the sugar known as alcohol.

Ask any foodie, drinker, and/or cider drinker, and they’ll tell you that apple cider is a superior source of vitamin C.

It contains a lot of other positive health benefits, too, such as the ability to keep you hydrated during hot weather, fight free radicals, and help maintain a healthy immune system.

However, it is also true that apple cider can be less than ideal for shelf life.

How long is apple cider good for in the fridge?

How long is apple cider good for in the fridge

Apple ciders mostly last three days in the fridge – two days for a bottle. We recommend storing it in the fridge for its first day, as well as the first two days in the bottle. But how long does it last once you open it? 

Apple cider is one of the most versatile liquors and is great for cooking, and serving at room temperature. However, it can be a little tricky to keep that fresh apple cider with you all day.

The shelf life of apple cider is dependent on temperature and time. This can be tricky for the beginner, especially when shopping for it.

So let’s take a closer look at the best way to store your apple cider and what you can expect from it when purchasing it.

Are you one of those who love cider, like it cold, but don’t have a fridge in your house? Do you have to throw the cider away after one or two days?

If yes, you might want to consider this very useful tip. To help the cider in the fridge for longer, you should store it in a pitcher with a cork bottom.

How long does apple cider last at room temperature?

Apple cider at room temperature

After opening, apple cider which has already been kept chilled for a long time, will last for around 7 to 10 days.

Because our cider is a natural product, it must be kept refrigerated.

It will, however, survive 2-3 hours unrefrigerated if kept out of broad sunlight.

As quickly as you bring the apple cider home, put it in the fridge. Your freezer must be kept at a degree of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below for maximum preservation.

Cider is a great thing to use at home when you’re making a simple sauce because of its ability to keep in the fridge for up to two weeks. However, once opened, it will not stay fresh indefinitely. Apple cider is a great way to get your daily dose of vitamin C. 

Although it might not be a good idea to drink apple cider on an empty stomach, the body needs to have some water for optimal digestion.

Does apple cider go bad if not refrigerated?

Does apple cider go bad if not refrigerated

If you have ever used apple cider, you’ve probably come across the issue of the “rotten apple”. It is a well-known fact that apple cider can go bad if not refrigerated. We are sure that many people already know about this because it’s a pretty common problem.

Apple cider can indeed go bad if not refrigerated, just like with other types of fruits, apple cider vinegar can become contaminated with harmful bacteria and viruses.

Therefore, before you make any changes to your home or business environment, you need to be sure that both you and your family members are safe. As a result, when it comes to storing apple cider vinegar, it’s a good idea to use glass bottles.

This is the reason that apple cider spoils so quickly. It only appears on supermarket store racks for a limited time.

If preserved, sweet cider will hold its brand new flavor for about two weeks, or you can say 14 days. Some alcohols do not go bad, although their flavor might alter after a year or two as they transform into vinegar.

How long does apple cider last once opened?

How long does apple cider last once opened

If you’re looking for information about how long apple cider lasts once opened, this post will hopefully answer all your questions. The answer is quite simple – it varies from brand to brand and from store to store on what period it’ll last. 

Most cider brands will last for about three months to a year, whereas cider that’s been stored for longer than that is likely to be softer and have lost its crispness.

The question of how long apple cider stays fresh when opened is an interesting one. People have been asking this question for centuries. The short answer is that apple cider, just like wine, is affected by many factors. This varies from person to person.

 Some people like to store it in the fridge, while others like to store it at room temperature. Apple cider is a highly sought-after alcoholic beverage produced by fermenting apples. One vintage of cider can last up to 3 years in certain storage conditions only.

Does apple cider have an expiration date?

Apple cider

Apple cider is a self-preserving grocery essential since it is very acidic and has antibacterial characteristics. Although it essentially never expired, keeping it in a cold, dark spot will help it last longer.

So, it’s been reported that apple cider doesn’t have an expiration date. But, do you know what that means? Apple cider has an expiration date.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much information available on what types of expiration dates on apple cider. Apple cider is a popular beverage product that usually has an extended expiration date on the bottle. Apple cider has an expiration date because it has an alcohol content. 

Alcohol is an ingredient that goes into cider and is often present in higher concentrations than the original product. Because of this, there is a risk that the product may degrade in quality over time.

This means that it should be refrigerated after opening. However, this isn’t a guarantee of safety. It could be better to buy it in a sealed bottle or maybe just make some apple cider out of it at home.

How to tell if apple cider is bad in 5 ways?

Expired and bad Apple cider

Apple cider vinegar is a healthy drink, but it can go bad if not stored correctly. When you find out apple cider vinegar has gone bad, dump the bottle into the trash and buy a new one.

If you have already consumed some apple cider that has gone bad, then read this article for precautions to be taken immediately. 

1) Smell and appearance of the product:

The first thing you should look for while checking if apple cider is bad or not is the smell and appearance.

If the product smells spoiled or has a funky odor, then you should discard it as it can cause stomach-related problems, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as headaches and body aches.

2) Look at the best by date:

The best by date is usually printed on the side of the bottle or box, but you must check this date before you consume apple cider vinegar. If the best by date has passed, it may cause health issues like diarrhea, vomiting, and other stomach diseases. 

Therefore, always go for fresh apple cider vinegar with recent dates of manufacture and expiration so that you get maximum benefits from its consumption.

3) Texture and appearance:

The texture of apple cider vinegar is usually cloudy or murky.

Still, if you discover that the apple cider has turned into a clear watery substance, then it may have gone bad and should be discarded as soon as possible.

This can cause stomach-related problems, so do not risk your health by consuming such products.

4) Examine the container:

The apple cider vinegar bottles should be sealed tightly, and the top of the bottle or box should not have any signs of leakage.

You can also check if the apple cider is bad by squeezing the sides of the bottle/box, which should not be too firm or soft.

If you find out that it is excessively firm or soft, the apple cider has gone bad and should be discarded immediately.

5) Look for the sulfur smell:

Apple cider vinegar usually does not have a strong smell. Still, if it smells like rotten eggs or burnt rubber, it may have gone bad as the acetic acid of apple cider vinegar may have turned into hydrogen sulfide. 

Final words

Apple cider vinegar is a good health tonic, but it can go bad if not stored properly. You should always keep your apple cider in a cool and dark place, such as inside the pantry or cabinet, to avoid its exposure to direct sunlight.

If you discover that the apple cider has gone bad, then throw it away immediately without consuming it.

So, do you already know what is the Apple Cider shelf life? Please, feel free to leave your comments and opinion below!

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Candy Seideman has been cooking for most of her life. In fact she is referred to as "The Chef" by most of her close family not only because she attended culinary school and was an actual chef, but also because she has a passion for cooking for friends and family.