Does Orange Juice Go Bad? Some Tips to Preserve Your Orange Juice

As an orange juice fanatic, have you ever asked yourself, “Does orange juice go bad?” or “Can orange juice go bad?”

One day, you open your refrigerator and find your orange juice smells weird, and you might have to look closely to see if it’s still safe to consume.

I bet you will have to go through this once or more times in your life. That’s why I came up with this article. Let’s get into the details!

Does Orange Juice Go Bad? 

Orange juice can go bad after a while.

Yes. Orange juice will spoil after a while. It can stay for about two hours in the kitchen, several days if refrigerated, and a few months if frozen.

Orange juice will go bad after a while. As a result, it is necessary to consume this juice as soon as possible to enjoy its full freshness and flavor. Also, you will get its all-natural advantages and avoid wasting any nutritious liquid.

Why Can Orange Juice Go Bad?

Orange juice can be spoiled after a while. Two main factors lead to the spoilage of your orange juice: the presence of microbes and oxidation.

Oxidation occurs when your orange juice is exposed to oxygen for an extended period. For example, it may happen when you open a packaged juice purchased from a store or just made freshly squeezed juice but did not cover it well.

Whether you use store-bought juice or homemade one, the longer your juice is exposed to air, the faster it oxidizes. In most cases, oxidation will lead to some change in your orange juice, including:

• Change in color.
• Change in aroma.
• Changes in nutritional value are related to the amount of vitamin C in your orange juice.

It is unsurprising that stores or supermarkets often sell fruit juice in cans, bottles, or any package. They will make sure their juices last a long time.

However, even if you leave the orange juice unopened for a long enough time, it will eventually go bad. That is why all orange juice products come with an expiration date.

On the other hand, the presence of microbes is also the leading cause of your orange juice going bad. As you know, microbes are everywhere, and your fruit juices are no exception.

The longer you leave your opened orange juice in contact with the environment, the more microbes will multiply, making your juice spoil faster.

So, storing your orange juice in your refrigerator or freezer is the best way to preserve your orange juice. Of course, it will still go bad, but it will last long.

How Long Does Orange Juice Last?

The shelf lives of your orange juice may vary, depending on the product you use.

Commercial juice products, like frozen and bottled orange juice, contain additives. So, they can stay longer than their freshly squeezed counterparts.

Some housewives think that if they get the best oranges to make fresh juice at home, they will get liquid for a longer time. 

However, that is a misconception. As we all know, the shelf life of your orange juice will depend on its kind, not the orange quality you use.

Freshly Squeezed Juice

Freshly squeezed juice.

This one refers to the natural and delicious kind of juice. Surely most people will enjoy it the most, and it also has the most benefits.

However, the shelf life may disappoint you. Once you let it in contact with the environment, harmful bacteria will quickly grow, making your natural orange juice go bad faster than the rest.

The main reason is that natural orange juice does not contain preservatives like store-bought products.

Freshly squeezed juice doesn’t last long, and it can keep its quality for two to three days in your refrigerator.

Also, keeping it for long at room temperature is impossible. Specifically, it lasts only two hours on your kitchen counter. 

It is best to consume it instantly after you squeeze it. Using your juice to create some delicious desserts for your family members or loved ones is also okay.

Canned Juice Products

Canned juice may last much longer as it contains preservatives and additives. These ingredients will prevent your juice from going bad rapidly.

Canned juice is also known as pasteurized juice. That means this juice is heated to remove harmful bacteria before being displayed on supermarket shelves.

The shelf life of canned juice products should be dependent on the brand. 

Generally, if you haven’t opened the bottles and cans and stored your orange juice at room temperature, it can stay for a year. However, once you have opened your canned orange juice, it can survive from eight to ten days in your fridge.

But after a few months, your juice’s taste might not be as tasty as in the beginning. As a result, consuming it within four months is wise.

Bottled Juice Products

Bottled juice products.

Bottled orange juice comes in two kinds, including refracted and unrefrigerated juice. There is a difference in the shelf life between the two.

Refrigerated juice will most likely not last long at room temperature like its freshly squeezed counterpart. 

You can expect it to last up to two hours when not refrigerated. But if you store it in your fridge, unopened juice will stay safe for eight to nine days. In contrast, opening one can last for one to two weeks.

On the other hand, you can expect your unrefrigerated juice to stay for three to nine months at room temperature, as long as you haven’t opened it. Once you open it, it can remain in your fridge for eight to ten days.

Orange Concentrate

Orange concentrate products can stay very long as the water is removed before packaging and sale. Hence, these products can last very long. It can even last forever if you don’t open the packaging to consume it.

Although juice concentrate typically features an expiration date, this isn’t a clear indication of the shelf life of your juice. Instead, it refers to the recommended time to use orange juice concentrate for the best quality.

Once you defrost your juice concentrate for consumption, it may maintain its quality for up to one week in your fridge. However, you need to remember that after thawing your frozen juice, freezing it again is impossible.

How to Tell if Orange Juice Has Gone Bad? 

How to tell if your juice has gone bad.

By now, you should have the answer to, “How long is orange juice good for?” Now, it’s time to learn how to tell if orange juice has gone bad? 

The following three ways will help you know if your juice is still safe to use.

Observe Your Orange Juice’s Appearance

Let’s start by pouring your orange juice into one transparent glass or vessel. 

Then look closely at its color for any change (for example, any shade that converts to murky brown from slight brown). You also need to see if there are any appearances of molds that have grown. If yes, just dump it.

On the other hand, for packaged or unopened orange juice products, if you notice that their containers have some bulges, you will know that it is time to throw your juice as it is a clear sign of fermentation.

 Smell your Orange juice

It is a sign of fermentation if your juice features a rancid, sour, or sharp scent similar to vinegar or alcohol. In this case, you will have to discard your liquid.

Taste Your Orange Juice

Take a snip to test the taste of your orange juice. If you notice that it tastes sour, fizzy, strange, or plain terrible, it’s time to throw out your orange juice now.

Remember, just taste a tiny amount and then spit it out immediately. After that, rinse your mouth using water.

You should note that tasting bad orange juice can lead to a risk of having an upset stomach and many consequences.

The Bottom Line

Through this article, you’ve got answers to questions like, “How long is orange juice good for once opened?” or “How long does orange juice last in the fridge?”

Like most juices, orange juice can go bad after a while. So, you should be vigilant to make sure that the orange juice you are about to consume is fresh and safe.

In addition, you should store your juice in your refrigerator or freezer to keep it longer without affecting its quality and nutritional value.

Do you have any helpful tips? Please express your opinion in the comment section. Thank you for reading!

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