Posted: 8/27/2009 6:08:17 AM EDT
|
Whats the shelf life of un-referidgerated maple syrup? I purchased some last year when I visited N.H.
Thought the kids used it up but found half a bottle in the back of the cupboard. 
|
|
Not so sure - sugar has been used as a preservative and it is possible that it's a long time... that being said...
All pure maple syrup in any type of container must be refrigerated after opening. Pure maple syrup will keep for years in almost any metal, glass or plastic container when frozen. (I refrain from using the term indefinitely From Linky |
|
They make it around here and I grew up eating it on pancakes. We'd buy it by the gallon. Unopened, it would probably last years and years. Once opened, it can crystallize (turn into sugar). You pretty much just slowly reheat to make it liquid again. A double boiler would probably be the best way as it can burn easily in that state. |
| I don't see why it would need refrigerated. Its extremely high is sugar, just like honey. There is no reason it should go bad unless left open and it draws moisture, or it may crystallize as mentioned above, but thats not spoilage, it just needs heated a little. |
| I've got a bunch (6 or 7 gallons in small containers) that I have picked up over the last 3-4 years. I have type 2 diabetes and this is one form of sugar that I seem to tolerate and it has such intense flavor that it only takes a tablespoon for my morning oatmeal or the rare occasion I eat pancakes. The last jug I opened was at least 3 years old and it was fine. As mentioned, once opened it starts to crystalize but never any sign of any spoilage. I do store in fridge once opened. |
|
But it does go bad. I don't know if it's water content which makes some difference, like in honey? Or what. I made the mistake of assuming it would not the first time I bought pure maple syrup. I put the opened bottle in the pantry instead of the fridge. In the pantry, after a while, it went off. Turned sour. In the fridge it does not do that. I have no idea why. Maybe it's a certain type of processing that allows it to go bad or not go bad? I never thought maple syrup would sour, but it does, for me, if I don't refrigerate it. |
. Luckily it was only about an ounce or so. I'll know better next time.