Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is one of the most commonly used products nowadays. We are commonly using it to make food dressings, beverages, in baking and cooking. People are also using Apple cider vinegar in their beauty-related home remedies, like treatment of hairs and skin. But we cannot use the whole bottle of Apple cider vinegar at once. And like other products, people are usually worried about Apple cider vinegar while keeping it for a long time, and we all have a common question in our minds about this, Does apple cider vinegar go bad?
If we keep any other product for a long time in our kitchen or cabinets, there are multiple chances that the product can be expired. Like any other product of your pantry, you brought ACV with your regular groceries, put the ACV in your kitchen cabinet, and forgot about it. After a few months, you found it during cleaning. You will definitely think about throwing the bottle of ACV in the garbage bag, but wait for a while, think once again, you know what, you can use your old bottle of ACV once again. Yes, exactly apple cider vinegar can work for months and years. But to understand why it can stay so long we have to go through its making procedure.
How is apple cider vinegar made?
For the making of Apple cider vinegar, we use mashed apples. After mashing the apples, they went into the filtration process and all we have left behind is golden apple juice, and also as hazy apple cider. The process continues and apple cider is allowed to ferment yeast that further converts into alcohol. This process usually takes 1 to 6 months. Usually, ACV contains 1 % to 8% of alcohol that is further fermented to make apple cider vinegar. In the final steps, acetic acid is used with its sour characteristics.
Does Apple cider vinegar go bad?
Over time apple cider vinegar goes under different changes, such as becoming cloudy and hazy. Sometimes we can also notice small pieces like fibers at the bottom of the bottle. These changes take place due to the reaction or exposure of oxygen that occurs every time we open the lid of the bottle to use. Exposure to oxygen can make slight changes to its taste. But these reactions are not enough to make ACV expire. For staying on the safer side, if you have a bottle of ACV while in your cabinets or kitchen you can check ACVby smelling it.
Properties of apple cider vinegar:
Vinegar has great antibacterial properties that are enough to make ACV self-preserving. These anti-bacterial properties also make apple cider vinegar stop the growth of illness-causing germs.
As per studies, experts compare ACV with coffee, soda, and juice, and results show that ACV has more self-preserving and anti-bacterial properties than anything.
The pH scale ranges from 0-14 which indicates the acidic level. If the pH scales show the results under 7 it means the chemical or sample is acidic otherwise sample is basic.
In apple cider vinegar the main consistency of ACV is highly acidic with the range of 2 to 3.
Most of the products have an expiry date for products ranging from 2 to 5 years, but apple cider vinegar is one of those products which are safe to use or consume for a long time.
Apple cider vinegar is a fermented product and studies also indicate that fermented products are safe to use than unfermented products. ACV is considered as one of the best products to use because of the use of the substance of fermentation called “mother”, this substance makes sure the high quality of Apple cider vinegar.
This mother substance is also responsible for the hazy and cloudy appearance of Apple cider vinegar with time but there is nothing to worry about this cloudy appearance.
How long does apple cider vinegar last once opened?
Once you opened the bottle or jar of Apple cider vinegar it can last for a year without expiring. The maximum duration for Apple cider vinegar can b over 2 years and if kept with proper precautions and care it can last for more than 2 years. After this duration vinegar stat changing its properties but went under the expiration process directly like other products.
Storage tips for apple cider vinegar:
The best way to store ACV for a long time is to use airtight jars by keeping the jar far away from sunlight, kitchen pantry or cabinets are good options to keep ACV.
Sometimes people prefer refrigerators over kitchen cabinets but refrigerators are not a good option to keep apple cider vinegar
Bottom line:
In the end, we have concluded that apple cider vinegar does not go bad for a long time. However slight and aesthetic changes can take place. As is already mentioned that apple cider vinegar is a self-preserving product it can last for a long time without proper care and precautions. The anti-bacterial properties make it safe to use in recipes and remedies even if the bottle or jar is kept for a while.
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