How Long Does Maple Syrup Last? Does it Go Bad?

Did you just find a bottle of maple syrup stored in your fridge for quite a long time?

Thus now you are wondering will the syrup be good or do maple syrup go bad.

That is because we are not aware about the standard period till which we can store a bottle of maple syrup.

There is no doubt, this syrup does go bad when anyone prolongs its storage but that does not mean one cannot store it even for some time.

One can make their syrup last for an extended period by storing it properly.

What is Maple Syrup?

Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that has many nutritional benefits.

It is made with circulating fluid or sap of sugar maple trees.

This is a native of North America but no one can find them in all parts of the world.

At present eastern Canada is the larger producer of maple syrup.

The syrup is either extracted from the maple tree by making a hole.

A hole is done by drilling and a container is placed below to collect the sap.

Then sap is boiled at a high temperature so that the water will evaporate and thicker sugar syrup will remain in the container.

After filtration of impurities, the syrup is ready to use.

This syrup contains calcium, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc, and other nutrients which act as antioxidants.

How Long Does Maple Syrup Last? Does Maple Syrup Go Bad?

When you are storing maple syrup then you must know how long it can last.

If you are thinking that it will last only till the printed date on the pack then you are wrong.

That is because the printed dates are an estimation of the manufacturer that until this period syrup can serve them the best.

But the syrup will be entirely fine to eat after that period.

So if we talk about the shelf life then the opened bottle can forever be used as it has an indefinite life just like honey.

But if you open the bottle then it will surely go bad.

One can store the opened bottle for only 1 year as it cannot intact a lot with air.

If you want to make syrup last more then put the opened bottle in the refrigerator.

This will help you to increase the shelf life for more than a year.

But sometimes because of better storage, the syrup does not go bad after these dates.

Thus you must know the ways through which you can find out bad maple syrup.

Because when you find an old bottle and have bad syrup then causes you stomach infections.

How to Tell if Maple Syrup Has Gone Bad?

• Mold Growth

If the syrup is stored for a long time and the bottle is open then there are chances that a mold might grow in the bottle or the container.

That is because when you open the seal then air and moisture will react with the syrup and that will cause the development of bacteria which later results in mold growth.

Therefore when you have an old stored bottle of syrup then you should check if is there any mold before you use the syrup.

• Off Smell

When the syrup is made then all the water evaporates because of which it only has a pleasant aroma of maple left in it.

Thus when you want to check if the syrup is good or bad you can sniff the bottle if it still offers an aroma of maple then you can use it.

But if it has developed a foul or off smell then discard the syrup immediately.

• Formation of Crystals

Did you just notice some crystals lying in the bottom of your syrup bottle? Then don’t worry it is not a sign of spoilage.

That is because it is fine for the syrup to form crystals if you store them in your refrigerator.

How to Store Maple Syrup?

• Cool and Dry Area

You need to find an area that is perfect before you store the syrup.

The area should be dry when you are storing an unopened bottle just like your kitchen cupboard.

But while storing an opened bottle you need a cooler place to store the bottle like a refrigerator.

An open bottle should be sealed correctly before storage.

• Avoid Heat and Light

When you are storing syrup then keep one thing in mind it cannot endure a warm temperature.

Therefore you must not keep the syrup in a place that is either near to stove or is prone to direct sunlight.

By avoiding excess heat and light you can increase the life of your maple syrup.

• Ziploc Bag or Airtight Container

Closed bottles are safe from any effects because they are entirely sealed but once the bottle is open then you need to keep it away from heat, moisture, and air.

So it would be better if you put the maple syrup in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag as it will keep air and moisture away and you can enjoy good quality syrup for an extended period of time.

Conclusion

You can see it is not that hard to store maple syrup correctly and increase its shelf life.

To avoid buying bad maple syrup be sure to check the bottle because if it has an opening or hole then it is already bad and you must avoid buying it.

Do not keep your syrup in the pantry after opening not even for a single day as it can deteriorate the syrup to a great extent.