Does Maple Syrup Go Bad? How Long Does Maple Syrup Last?
Have you left some bottles of maple syrup in your storage for later use? Now, you are wondering, does maple syrup go bad? Scroll and read till the end to find answers to all the maple syrup-related questions. I promise it will be worthwhile.
What is Maple Syrup?
Maple syrup is a delicious condiment that makes your waffles and pancakes juicy and tasty. The International Maple Syrup Institute implies that maple syrup is a slightly sweet sauce made from the sap of maple trees.
Does Maple Syrup Go Bad?
If maple syrup is stored properly, usually, it does not go bad easily. You can keep it at room temperature unless opened, but the bottle should be stored in the fridge after opening. The low temperature and high sugar components are responsible for keeping maple syrup for a long time.
However, as you know, maple syrup is a natural food and can often go bad like other natural food ingredients if it is not carefully stored. Maple syrup can spoil badly, and the solution is to maintain the storage guidelines accurately.
Does Pure Maple Syrup Go Bad?
Yes, pure maple syrup also goes bad if it is not refrigerated on time.
Limited preservatives and other components are added during processing to keep the table maple syrup last longer. Moreover, it is sealed tightly so that air can’t pass through the bottle. But if it is organic maple syrup, it is comparatively pure than the factory-made one.
You should refrigerate the pure maple syrup; otherwise, mold will grow. Sometimes you may see white floating in it.
Does Maple Syrup Need to be Refrigerated?
Yes, after opening, the maple syrup should be refrigerated. Otherwise, it can go bad in air contact, and mold or white floating can develop in it.
As pure maple syrup directly comes from the tree, it should be refrigerated once opened. But if unopened, its shelf life is 1 year at room temperature. On the contrary, table syrup is processed and does not need to be refrigerated once opened.
Can You Freeze Maple Syrup
Yes, you can freeze maple syrup. Freezing extends the shelf life of the syrup. Use a freezer-friendly container or glass bottle to freeze the maple syrup. The syrup should be used within 1 year to enjoy better quality and taste.
Does Maple Syrup Expire?
Yes, like any other packaged food, maple syrup also expires after a certain time. It is suggested not to eat maple syrup after the date expires because you may fall sick or suffer from foodborne illness. Usually, the syrup bottle contains an expiration date. You should check it before buying syrup from stores.
Can I Eat Expired Maple Syrup?
Usually, it is not suggested to consume things after the date expires. Maple syrup normally remains good after 6 months if it is stored properly in the refrigerator after opening. However, following the guidelines, you can use maple syrup if you don’t see any mold in it and store it properly.
How Long Does Maple Syrup Last?
Maple syrup lasts both at room temperature and in the freezer. But the storage duration can be different. Moreover, storing syrup in glass bottles is recommended because plastic bottles normally last for 2 years (approximately 18 months). In a glass bottle, syrup does not easily get mold.
How Long Does Unopened Maple Syrup Last?
Theoretically, unopened maple syrup lasts longer, but technically, it lasts for 2-3 years at room temperature and 3-5 years in the refrigerator. Once opened, it should be stored in the fridge for longer storage.
How Long Does Pure Maple Syrup Last?
Generally, pure maple syrup in unopened condition lasts for 1 year in the pantry. Consequently, in unopened condition, it lasts for 1 year in the refrigerator and 2-3 years in the freezer.
Check the table below-
| Condition | Pantry (at room temperature) | Refrigerator | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unopened | 1-2 years | 2-3 years | Indefinitely (Practically 3-5 years) |
| Opened | 6 months | 1 year | 1-2 years |
| Table Maple Syrup | 1 year | 2 years | 2-3 years |
| Pure Maple Syrup | 1 year | 1 year | 2- 3 years |
How to Tell If Maple Syrup is Bad?
Find some prominent ways to tell if maple syrup is bad below:
- Check if there is any mold on the top of the syrup.
- Check the color of the maple syrup. If it becomes dark or cloudy, discard it.
- Another way is to find if there is any white stuff floating on the top.
- Take the smell and if it is sour, throw the maple syrup away.
- Check if there is any crystal in the syrup bottle.
Tip: If you find crystals on the maple syrup, it doesn’t mean the syrup has gone bad. Boil and filter the leftover syrup, and you can use it to make your pancakes delicious. Just store it in a new, clean glass bottle for long storage, and don’t forget to thank me later for the tip.
You may also like: Does Soy Sauce Go Bad?
Can Maple Syrup Mold
Yes, maple syrup can get moldy if left out of the refrigerator for a long time. But the sugar component of the syrup is so high that mold does not grow inside but remains on the surface. So, boiling plus filtering can be a good option to reuse the leftover syrup.
Follow the tips mentioned below-
Tip 1: Store maple syrup in the fridge
Store the maple syrup in the fridge to keep it safe from mold because, in cold temperatures, maple syrup usually lasts longer.
Tip 2: Boil and filter the syrup
If mold is seen on the surface, boil it on the stove and then filter it for later use.
Tip 3: Use clean containers
After boiling and filtering, use a clean container to restore the maple syrup, and don’t forget to put it in the fridge.
Maple Syrup White Stuff
Sometimes a kind of white stuff is produced on the top of the maple syrup, which is a harmless mold. Wash your bottle with soapy water and dry it with a paper towel. Besides, boil the leftover syrup and filter it. Put the syrup in the bottle after it is cold. Then you can store it for months in the refrigerator.
Stuff Floating in Maple Syrup
You may see fluffy particles floating in the maple syrup. It appears several months later in the store, settles at the bottom of the syrup’s bottle, and looks like a dark fizzy coating from the outside.
Is Maple Syrup Good for You?
Yes, maple syrup is good for you. It is rich in antioxidants, riboflavin, zinc, iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
According to research, 80 ml or ⅓ cup of pure maple syrup contains-
- Calcium: 7% of the RDI
- Iron: 7% of the RDI
- Zinc: 28% of the RDI
- Potassium: 6% of the RDI
- Manganese: 165% of the RDI
Bottom Line
If you store it properly, maple syrup has a pretty good shelf life. So if you love your waffles, pancakes, French toast, and oatmeal with drizzled maple syrup, buy it and store it in the fridge for longer use.
However, it can go bad too when kept out of the fridge for longer or for other reasons. When it happens, discard the syrup to prevent foodborne illness.
