Apples are popular fruits in the United States, so it is no surprise that most people love apple juice.
Apples contain natural sugar and are low in calories. They are super nutritious and have numerous health benefits.
You can buy apple juice at a local store near you or make your own at home. If you are an apple juice fan like me, you may have noticed mold in apple juice in a few instances.
Mold in apple juice is a common occurrence. It may indicate that the apple juice has gone bad or the juice was not packaged properly. Therefore, it may or may not be safe to drink apple juice that has mold in it.
This article discusses everything you need to know about apple juice, including its shelf life, signs of spoilage, and proper storage.
We will also discuss what happens when one drinks moldy or spoiled apple juice. Read on.
How long do apples last? Click here to read.
Apple juice shelf life
The shelf life of apple juice is greatly dependent on whether it was unrefrigerated or refrigerated when you bought it at the store.
Refrigerated apple juice usually has a use-by date on the label. Note that you must refrigerate this apple juice for it to stay fresh.
Additionally, it would be best if you drank it before the best by date. It may still be safe to consume a few days past the date, but be on the lookout for any signs of spoilage before drinking it.
Apple juice that is unrefrigerated at the store has a best-by date. The juice will remain fresh for as long as you use it before the date.
If the box or bottle is unopened, it can last a few more months (3- 6 months) past the best by date.
When you open a box or bottle of refrigerated apple juice, its quality will remain intact for approximately ten days.
However, a few good-quality apple juice brands can stay fresh for up to 3 weeks. Remember that your apple juice will only last long if you store it properly.
I highly recommend drinking homemade apple juice the same day you make it. If you must store it for longer, store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Also, Click to Check out: The Best Portable Blender for Travel.
Signs that your apple juice has gone bad
When you store apple juice for too long, it can go bad. Its shelf life significantly depends on the quality of the juice and the storage conditions.
Apple juice goes bad when it starts to ferment. You can check for fermentation by simply smelling the juice.
If the apple juice smells somewhat sour or has a beer-like smell, it has fermented, and you should discard it.
Another sign that your apple juice has gone bad is a color change. The color change is usually a sign that the juice is fermenting. If you notice your apple juice has an unusually dark color, the chances are that it has gone bad.
Mold growth is an obvious sign of spoilage. Although some people argue that drinking moldy apple juice does not have any negative consequences, I do not recommend drinking apple juice that has mold in it.
If you notice that the box or bottle of apple juice is puffy or swollen, the chances are that the juice is spoiled, and you should not consume it.
Lastly, if you open the lid of the apple juice bottle and it makes a pop sound as if gas is being released, the juice has gone bad, and you should discard it.
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What will happen if you drink moldy or spoiled apple juice?
Most people wonder what would happen if they drank moldy or spoiled apple juice.
If you mistakenly drink apple juice that is way past its best by date, you may experience some common health issues, including vomiting, nausea, and stomach aches.
Therefore, I recommend that you always check the best by date before consuming to avoid health issues.
Company officials have argued that sometimes molds grow in juice boxes due to inadequate packaging.
If mold grows in a box of apple juice with no preservatives, you may or may not experience any symptoms if the juice was not expired.
Therefore, moldy juice is not necessarily unsafe to consume.
I wouldn’t drink moldy apple juice because it is gross, and I wouldn’t want to gamble with my health.
My advice is that you discard the juice if you notice any mold growth.
Also, Check out: What do jazz apples taste like?
How to store apple juice properly
It would be best if you stored apple juice the same way you store other juices.
If the cardboard carton or juice bottle was not refrigerated at the grocery store, store it in a cool, dark place.
Ensure that it is far away from any sources of light or heat. Note that heat and light can harm the quality of your apple juice.
I recommend storing the bottle or cardboard box or bottle of apple juice in your pantry or kitchen cabinet.
Once you open a bottle or box of apple juice, you should refrigerate it. Always seal the bottle or box tightly before placing it in the fridge for it to last longer.
If your box of apple juice proves difficult to seal, transfer the juice to an airtight container or bottle.
It would be best if you always stored homemade apple juice in the refrigerator. This way, you can be sure that it will stay fresh for several days.
Freezing is also an option if you want your apple juice to last for a long time.
Can you freeze apple juice?
Apple juice freezes properly due to its high sugar content. Therefore, if you want to extend the shelf life of your apple juice, you can freeze it.
There are several ways you can freeze apple juice. You can freeze it in popsicle molds for a refreshing treat on hot sunny days.
You can also freeze it in ice cube trays, then once frozen, transfer the cubes to an airtight container.
I love adding the cubes to my smoothies and using them as an alternative to regular ice cubes when I chill my water or cocktails.
It is not advisable to freeze apple juice in its original container because it expands when frozen like any other juice.
The original container may not have enough room for expansion, so if you must freeze it in the container, drink at least one glass of the juice before freezing. When properly frozen, the apple juice can last for up to one year.
To thaw frozen apple juice, place it in your refrigerator overnight. Remember to consume it within seven days after thawing, or else it will go bad.
Bottom line
Mold in apple juice is a common occurrence, especially if you have stored the juice for a long time.
Some company officials argue that drinking moldy apple juice cannot harm you. However, we all know that mold growth is a sign of spoilage.
I do not recommend drinking moldy apple juice because it may negatively impact your health.
