Orange juice is a tasty drink that is also full of important nutrients. Because of this, it is something I always have at home. But I’m sure many of us have forgotten about something in the back of the fridge and wondered if it was safe when we found it again. We’ve all had to decide if it is still good to drink.
Even if the orange juice has passed its expiration date, it may still look and smell fine to us. But because we want to be safe, we usually end up throwing it away, which is a waste.
To find out how long does orange juice last, I did some studying. Today, I’m looking forward to telling you everything I’ve learned, especially if you’ve ever been in a similar situation.
Does orange juice go bad?
Absolutely! Like everything else, orange juice has a date when it goes bad. Over time, orange juice goes through oxidation, which lets bacteria into the liquid. This causes the color to change and the taste to become sour.
Even if you don’t open a box of orange juice, it will go bad over time. Through a process called fermentation, the sugars in the juice change into alcohol and carbon dioxide over time. What happened? A drink that tastes like beer or wine but isn’t very good, despite what some people may think.
How long does orange juice last?
The answer depends on what kind of orange juice you buy. Even though all types will go bad in the end, some last longer than others.
The drink that lasts the least is freshly squeezed orange juice, especially if it has pulp. It’s best to drink it the day you squeeze the oranges, but you can still drink it for up to two or three days after that.
Tip: For the best taste when making orange juice at home, use tangerines, clementines, Valencia, or blood oranges.
Orange juice from the fridge area of a store can last up to 2 weeks after its best-by date if it hasn’t been opened. But once the box is opened, it needs to be drink within seven days.
On the other hand, orange juice in a box that hasn’t been opened has the longest shelf life. This kind of orange juice has been heated to kill any dangerous germs, like salmonella or E. coli. If you don’t open it, it will stay good for up to two years!
But make sure to drink it within 7 to 10 days after you open it.
No matter what kind of orange juice you freeze, it can last forever. But if you want to keep the taste, it’s best to drink it within four months, since it may start to go bad after that.
How to store orange juice properly?
Keep bottles and boxes that haven’t been opened at the same temperature they were at when you got them. No matter what kind of orange juice it is, it needs to be refrigerated after it has been opened.
Fresh orange juice should be put in the fridge right away.
If you bought sterilized juice from the store, you can keep it in the pantry until you want to use it. Keep it in a cool, dark place away from heat and light sources. Changes in temperature and exposure to light can hurt its quality. If there isn’t much room in the kitchen, any closet will do.
But once the jar has been opened, put it in the fridge.
If you bought orange juice from the refrigerated area, put it in the fridge as soon as you got home.
If you want orange juice to last for a year, the best way to do it is to freeze it. But it’s important to know that frozen orange juice has less nutrition than fresh orange juice. Even so, it still tastes great!
Just put the juice in an ice cube tray and freeze it for as long as you want.
How to tell if orange juice is bad?
Aside from clear signs like a bad taste and smell, it can be bad for your health to drink orange juice that has gone bad.
Orange juice has bacteria in it that can grow even when it is kept correctly. Once there are a lot of them, they can cause stomach problems like diarrhea, stomach cramps, puking, and feeling sick.
Here are some signs that your orange juice has gone bad, so that you don’t make your family or friends feel bad:
A strong or sour smell, like booze or vinegar.
Molds, which look like dark spots on the container, have grown there. Molds can even grow in the juice itself sometimes. Pour a little bit into a clear glass and look at the color. If it’s different now, it’s time to say goodbye.
Bulging container. This is a clear sign that the juice has gone bad and should be thrown away.
Strange texture or taste, like sourness or fizziness, or both. All of these are signs of fermentation, which means the juice is no longer safe to drink.
Now, you should throw away fresh orange juice that has been in the pantry for more than two hours. It’s clear that it’s gone bad, so there’s no point in looking into it any further.
But you don’t need to worry if you’ve left a box of sterilized orange juice that hasn’t been opened. It is still safe to drink.
If you follow these tips, you can enjoy your orange juice and make sure it stays fresh and tasty. Cheers to a cool and safe time with orange juice!
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