Having lime juice in your pantry is a very good idea. A little amount of lime juice can bring a unique freshness to your dishes. Besides using lime juice in the kitchen, it also has many health benefits. It is highly rich in Vitamin C. Some people use it in their daily routine too.
The answer to the question that does lime juice goes bad is, unfortunately, yes. But store-bought lime juice can last way longer than freshly squeezed lime juice. Like most food materials, the shelf life of lime juice also depends on the storing conditions.
Contents
- How to Store Lime Juice
- Can you freeze Lime Juice?
- How long does Lime Juice last?
- How to tell if Lime Juice is bad
- Sources
- FAQs
- How can you tell if lime juice is bad?
- How long does lime juice last in the fridge?
- How long is lime juice good for after expiration date?
- Can bacteria grow in lime juice?
- Can spoiled limes make you sick?
- Is it OK to use old lime?
- Does bottled lime juice go bad in the fridge?
- Does lemon or lime juice expire?
- Is it good to store lime juice in fridge?
- Is it OK to use expired lemon juice?
How to Store Lime Juice
Storing lemon juice isnt a tricky thing. There are 2 to 3 ways to store it. But storing lime juice is very important for its shelf life, so we have to be very careful while storing it. You can take apt measures to store lime juice:
In the pantry
An unopened and unused bottle of lime juice can be stored in your pantry. You can store your lime juice at room temperature in a dry place anywhere in your kitchen. The bottle of lime juice will not go bad until its expiry date. The more the place is dry, the better it is for the lime juice.
In the refrigerator
The best place for storing the lime juice is in the refrigerator. Either the bottle is used or unopened; you can store it in the refrigerator. The lime juice lasts longer in the cooler. So store it without any doubt.
Make sure that the bottles of used lime juice are sealed properly and are airtight. Also, there should be no strong-flavored dishes placed near the lime juice. That makes the taste of lime juice gross. You can also store freshly squeezed lime juice in the refrigerator in an air tight container.
Away from sunlight
Sunlight makes most of the food materials go bad. The same is the case with lime juice. Due to sunlight, the lime juice turns awful. The taste turns bitter. If the juice is in tin bottles, it may burst. So, it is recommended to store lime juice away from direct sunlight or any heat or light source.
If the bottle is of glass, the sunlight makes the lime juice inside it turns brown. That is not bad for you, but the fresh appearance of the juice disappears. So the darker is the place, the better it is for the juice.
Can you freeze Lime Juice?
If you want to make your lime juice lasts for years, then go for freezing for sure. Freezing the lime juice is the best way to store it. You can use the frozen lime juice for up to a year or even more. The easiest way to store the lime juice inside the freezer is inside ice trays or ice molds.
Put the lime juice, either it is fresh or store-bought, inside the trays. After that, put them in the freezer. The next day take them out, put the cubes of lime juice in any freezer bag or airtight jar, and freeze them again. This is a very convenient way because you can use as much of the amount of lime juice as you want.
How long does Lime Juice last?
The shelf life of an unused, i.e., unopened bottle of lime juice, is quite long. The bottles can remain fresh for a year in your pantry if they dont meet unfavorable conditions like sunlight. In contrast, opened bottles of lime juice can last for 7 to 8 months inside the refrigerator. All this was about store-bought lime juice.
When it comes to fresh lime juice, it does not last for long. If it is placed at room temperature, it hardly stays good for an hour or two. But if it is stored in a refrigerator, it stays good for 2 to 3 days. Lastly, fresh juice can last for 7 to 8 months if it is frozen.
How to tell if Lime Juice is bad
As we know that lime juice is highly acidic, so it does not get bad quickly until it is freshly squeezed and not stored in the refrigerator. Preserved lime juice can also go bad after its expiry date. Remember that if your juice has turned brown, it does not mean that it has turned bad. Brown lime juice is safe to drink or use.
If you inspect the following symptoms in your lime juice, then it is high time to discard it:
- If the lime juice tastes gross, i.e., sour or other than lime, throw it away.
- Sniff your lime juice and if it smells unusual and gives an off and pungent smell, then waste it right away.
- If the bottle of lime juice is leaking or bulging, then do not use it.
- If there is evidence of mold on the lime juice, discard it.
Sources
- Can it go bad?
- Does lime juice go bad?
- Go Bad or Not?
FAQs
How can you tell if lime juice is bad?
How can you know whether lime juice is sour? Lime juice should be thrown if it acquires an odd odor, taste, or look, or if mold occurs. All lime juice from leaky, bulging, or badly damaged bottles should be discarded.
How long does lime juice last in the fridge?
While there’s no hard and fast rule, most bartenders will agree that once squeezed, lime juice will stay good for up to 24 hours.
How long is lime juice good for after expiration date?
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.
Can bacteria grow in lime juice?
It’s best to drink your lime juice within 24 hours of opening the bottle, since bacteria can grow quickly once the lime juice comes into contact with air. Even though lime juice doesn’t have much flavor by itself, it does add a nice tang to many recipes, so you may want to save it for later.
Can spoiled limes make you sick?
If you consume expired lime, you may also become ill from food poisoning. This could have been due to the lime’s microorganisms, which could have been harmful. Symptoms of these toxins include stomach discomfort, bloating, heartburn, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Is it OK to use old lime?
If your notice any specs of mold, discard the fruit. It’s super soft, shriveled, or slimy. Some softness is a good indicator that your lime is a bit on the older side, but that’s no reason to throw it out. But if the whole thing is super soft, shriveled, feels hollow, or the skin is wrinkly, it’s time for it to go.
Does bottled lime juice go bad in the fridge?
Bottled lime juice has a long shelf life, and keeps for months past the printed date. After opening the bottle, unlike other juices, it stays safe in the refrigerator for up to the printed date, and then some. It might brown a bit, but it’s still okay to use.
Does lemon or lime juice expire?
Fresh squeezed lemon juice has a shelf life of about 3–4 days if it’s stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Due to pasteurization and added preservatives, commercial bottled lemon juice has a much longer lifespan. An unopened bottle can last for 3–6 months in the pantry or 6–12 months in the fridge.
Is it good to store lime juice in fridge?
Refrigeration is the best option for keeping lime juice. To protect the quality of your lime juice, firmly seal it and store it in the refrigerator. It is still safe if you keep it at room temperature for a while, but the colder temperatures will slow down the oxidation process and extend its shelf life.
Is it OK to use expired lemon juice?
Unopened bottled lemon juice may be stored for many months beyond the best-by date. Use within 1-2 months if opened after the expiry date.