Sugary and yummy maple syrup is something we can’t imagine without fluffy fritters and aromatic pancakes. This tasty foodstuff fits almost any dessert from waffles to ice cream and even drinks will benefit from its presence!
Even though its lifespan is nearly indefinite, following certain keeping rules is anyway a must.
Want to know what actions to take to stoke your maple yummy longer?
Keep on reading then!
Health Benefits Of Maple Syrup
If you have a bottle of this sugary topping on the pantry shelf or in the refrigerator, you’re lucky! Maple syrup, just like honey<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>, is one of the healthiest sugar substitutes that has plenty of other benefits.
- It is the source of antioxidants (nearly twenty-four of them!)
- It has a low score on the glycemic index which makes this topping much safer to our liver compared to white sugar
- Maple treat is beneficial for protecting us from inflammations
- It assists in fighting against cancer
- Our skin state becomes way better when we are consuming maple syrup regularly (in reasonable amounts, of course)
- Finally, it contains vitamins and minerals like zinc, potassium, and magnesium that support our immune system
Because of this, maple syrup can be the best healthy substitute for various sugars and even for honey for those who don’t tolerate it due to health issues.
How To Store Maple Syrup
Proper maintenance is a guarantee of your foodstuff’s good quality.
Just like any foodstuff, maple syrup has slightly different preservation requirements hanging upon whether the flask is opened or sealed.
- Basically, if the tank wasn’t opened after the purchase, leave it in the kitchen cabinet or in a pantry. Since maple syrup needs cool and dry “hideouts” mostly to keep its taste and aroma, such spots will be the optimal choice.
But what if you already used some of it and the bottle is unsealed now?
Well, that’s not a big deal, too. All you need to do now is to try to calculate for what period of time the foodstuff will be most likely used and correlate the result to the expiry date on the label.
- If you are 100% sure that the syrup will be finished before the Day X, the best option would be to refrigerate the liquid.
You see, maple syrup is a whole organic thing that contains no preservatives or other artificial components and chemical additives. It means that, if stored carelessly, there is a high risk of spoiling it too soon.
- In case you expect to use the syrup far past the expiration date, then freezing is your choice. Yes! Maple syrup can be chilled! Only make sure you choose a proper glass frost-resistant tank with a tight lid and leave some space on top since the foodstuff may expand when solidifying.
Much Time Will Maple Treacle Last
There is a widespread belief that maple syrup can be stored for a nearly indefinite period of time. Well, in fact, it is really so, however, it doesn’t mean that we can be careless when it comes to adhering to some useful storage tips.
Basically, we can say that if your maple syrup bottle is unscrewed, feel free to safely keep it in the pantry for a very very long time! It’s like honey which means we can for sure keep it like forever.
However, the second the cap is unscrewed, be attentive and careful! Even though some people state that they can store opened liquid for many months, its official duration period includes one year only.
It doesn’t mean it will rot right on the next morrow after it expires but the taste and aroma will indeed start decreasing their potency.
To easier compare the duration of its shelf life under different conditions, take a look at the chart we have prepared.
| Pantry | Fridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Unopened | Indefinite storage period | No refrigeration is needed |
| Opened | Pantry-based keeping is not recommended | 12 months |
For sure, if the syrup is stocked correctly and following the basic requirements, it is possible to prolong its lifespan to several years even for the opened flask!
How to Tell If Maple Syrup Is Bad
Does maple syrup go bad? That is what people often ask after they buy a bottle of this amber-yellow sweet thing.
It may be disappointing to learn but maple syrup does indeed spoil.
Despite its extended lifespan, this topping can be quite easily spoiled if we don’t follow the prescribed instructions when storing it.
To spot the off syrup, search for the next symptoms:
- mold
- bad odor
Some people may become confused with the traces of sediment at the bottom of the bottle but let us assure you – it is fine! This is the natural reaction of the liquid to aging.
Once the spoilage indicators are spotted, we advise you to discard the off syrup away. Yes, some say that boiling it will help but let’s be honest, that’s quite a risky affair.
There is no such thing as too much information indeed! Knowing the maximum about the storage of a certain foodstuff is always a handy thing, and this is why we present you with the most common questions people ask about maple syrup.
We hope that this information will be handy for you.
Maple Syrup Storage Tricks And Hints
Whenever it comes to the shelf life of any foodstuff, we become concerned and worried since everyone wants our food to remain good and tasty indefinitely.
And it’s all the same with the maple syrup! Even though it is said that the shelf life of this sweet treat can last almost indefinitely due to the high content of sugar, we often screw everything up by the wrong keeping which leads to the foodstuff’s shelf life decreasing.
Do you want to know how to preserve the maple topping’s flavor and taste? Then take our shelf life suggestions into account! We are sure that they will be 100% handy!
- Stock it correctly
For generations, we were sure that maple syrup is ok to be kept on a distant shelf in a pantry, but it appears that this is wrong! Unlike white sugar and honey that can be safely kept in the tightly screwed container on a shelf, maple topping needs other surroundings to keep its potency to its best.
To prolong its shelf life, place the syrup container into the refrigerator (either to the door section or to the shelf) the second it is unsealed. Even though the foodstuff is very sugary, it still has water that allows certain kinds of bacteria and mold to spread fast and grow once they get in contact with the liquid.
An opened bottle can definitely remain edible for a year if left refrigerated.
- Freezer for longer use!
Ever wondered whether maple syrup is freezer-friendly? It appears that it is! Such a method of keeping allows prolonging its shelf life significantly making it taste like new even long after the purchase, besides, when we cool this topping in the frosting camera, it preserves its unique flavor and taste.
The good news is that maple treat won’t solidify which means that there will be no need to defrost it in order to eat, however, the liquid will expand. That is why freezing unopened topping is not recommended. Instead, pour it into a frost-friendly tank to stock on a freezer shelf or unscrew and pour out some of the liquid to have enough space in the original bottle if that’s how you want to preserve it.
Also, note that chilled syrup may thicken so it won’t be the same liquid, and its color may also be darker compared to the pure amber shade of the fresh or refrigerated foodstuff, but that’s ok.
It is best of all to make use of frozen maple topping within a year since afterward its shelf life will start degrading slowly.
Frequently Asked Questions
⭐ Can bacteria grow in maple syrup?
Since maple syrup is very sugary, it is very hard for bacteria to grow in it, however, certain kinds of fungus and mold can still make it worse because the liquid is also rather watery.
⭐ Can you get sick from expired maple syrup?
Unless the topping is moldy and/or stinks really bad, it is very unlikely that one can get sick from consuming it even if the syrup is old.
⭐ Can you eat expired maple syrup?
Since this foodstuff is very durable, it is ok to consume it after it expires. Make sure that there is no mold in it, and the color and aroma are fine to be 100% sure.
⭐ Is maple syrup mold dangerous?
We would say: it depends. Some say that they still consume syrup even after they spot mold. All that must be done in this case is to boil the foodstuff. However, it is more reasonable to discard the moldy foodstuff since mold and fungi can cause well-being problems.
⭐ How can you tell if maple syrup has gone bad?
The 100% approved way is to examine it for mold. If you find any, it’s better to throw the syrup away. Bad smell can also be a symptom of spoilage though.
⭐ Can you get botulism from maple syrup?
No. It is proved that getting this illness from maple syrup is impossible.
Maple syrup is a tasty and 100% organic product that has been known for several hundreds of years for now! It is a perfect replacement for white sugar since it is harmless to our health, and besides, this foodstuff is incredibly delicious!
