Exact Answer: 3-6 Months If Unopened And 6-12 Months If Opened And Refrigerated
Lemon juice is a staple in many kitchens, and it has many uses and can be kept for longer than one thinks.
The shelf life of lemon juice is longer. It lasts 3-6 months if unopened and 6-12 months if opened and refrigerated, but if one makes sure to keep the lemons fresh, they can last more days without going bad.
This means that one should always have some stored away so that when dinner time rolls around, and one needs fresh lemon juice for marinade or salad dressing, there will be some left.
How Long Does Lemon Juice Last?
| Type | Duration |
| Unopened lemon juice | 3-6 Months |
| Opened and refrigerated lemon juice | 6-12 Months |
The duration of time during which lemon juice remains safe to consume is determined by Acid Content. Refrigerated, its shelf life lasts up to 6 to 12 months; it can last for months in the fridge if stored well.
Consider freezing or boiling the lemon juice to extend the time to store it before using it. This will lengthen the storage period–but make sure not to boil too long. It can burn and ruin the preservation method.
The lemon juice would last the longest if refrigerated. The time it takes for the juice to spoil will depend on what has been added, how acidic it is based on the pH level, and other factors.
The fresh smell of freshly squeezed lemon juice never lasts long outside of its refrigerator’s surroundings because it begins immediately to oxidize when exposed to ambient air.
This is why experts recommend freezing the lemon juice inside an airtight container. Lemon juice might go bad at some point, depending on various factors. However, homemade juice has a concise shield life compared to store-bought ones.
The unrefrigerated store-bought lemon juice will have a longer shelf life because manufacturers remove 90% of water content from the juice. This juice can stay fresh for 3 to 6 months as the bacteria growth is reduced.
Also, make sure to use the best dates and the day of expiry before taking it home.
Why Would Lemon Juice Last So Long?
This lemon juice lasts so long because it contains citric acid that has oxidizing properties, which are responsible for breaking down long-chain fats into short-chain fats with low melting points.
As the acidity in the juice causes proteins to denature and change shape, their viscosity increases. This bestows a protective shelf life on certain products because it has caused them to further solidify and thereby maintain their integrity for an extended period.
There are many health benefits of lemon juice. People who drank lemon water had a glucose tolerance and “significantly lower” blood sugar when compared with their placebo counterparts.
This happened because of the good properties in the lemons, which activated the enzymes responsible for breaking down cholesterol in their bodies, which then improved their insulin sensitivity.
This improved the body’s metabolism and increased its ability to utilize glucose, therefore lowering blood sugar levels after consuming carbohydrates. People also showed an improvement in immunity by fighting infections better than those who drank only water.
To see if the lemon juice has gone bad-
- Check the color of the lemon juice. The juice is spoiled if the color turns dark or cloudy yellow.
- The juice must have a pleasant citrus taste; it might be harmful if bacteria ferment.
- Take a sip of the juice to see if it is fresh. If it isn’t fresh, it isn’t good.
- If one sees any traces of mold, make sure to discard them.
Conclusion
Another tip that can make the lemon juice last longer is storing them by making them into ice cubes. Just pour it into a tray and pop it into the freezer to make the freshly squeezed juice last longer.
One can tell when the lemon juice goes terrible if it turns darker. Also, keep the jar tightly locked so that no air will pass inside. This way, it can stay fresh longer.
On the other hand, homemade lemon juice has a shorter shelf life because it doesn’t have any preservatives. It can last for 2 to 3 days in the fridge.
References
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf0304775
- https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2621.1986.tb10866.x
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