Grape juice is a refreshing breakfast, school lunch, or refreshment option. Unfortunately, grape juice is a pretty vague phrase. The word “juice” can refer to any beverage with a fruit concentration ranging from 100% to less than 10%. Added sugar and preservatives make up most of the remaining ingredients.
If grape juice is not stored properly, it might spoil. In addition, the flavor, texture, and perfume of grape juice may be altered by microbial and chemical processes, making it appear unattractive.
As a result, you may wonder how long grape juice lasts. Store-bought grape juice can last from a week to months, depending on the shelf life and packaging regulations, but things change once the carton or bottle is opened. It is even possible to make grape juice, and the length of storage can change because of the lack of preservatives. (Read Can You Freeze Sausage Casings)
In our guide, you can learn more about how long is grape juice good after opening and how you should store it.
By the end, if you want an alternative to good wine from the same fruit, you’ll know how long you have, and you won’t have to drink fermented grape juice accidentally.
Does Grape Juice Go Bad If Left Out?
The fresh, liquid extract of grapes is known as grape juice. It has a deep purple hue and a strong fruity flavor.
Because it includes no added sugar, artificial flavors, or colors, natural grape juice is a healthier alternative to many other popular beverages such as soda or fruit juices.
It’s high in nutrients like vitamin C, which helps to enhance your immune system throughout the cold season.
You may easily make homemade grape juice if you don’t want to buy it.
Grape juices with a high sugar concentration will spoil more quickly.
If kept at room temperature, grape juice should be consumed within two hours, so it’s best to refrigerate grape juice in the fridge for seven to ten days.
You can freeze grape juice where it lasts anywhere from eight months to a year. But, your freezer’s quality determines your food’s shelf life.
Place the grape juice in a clean, dry container to minimize the danger of bacterial growth.
Because of the risk of bacteria growth, unopened grape juice that has been refrigerated should be drunk within 12 months of purchase.
You often find this drink next to orange juice in many grocery stores.
Because of changes in flavor with time, it may also taste slightly different from before.
You should consume grape juice as soon as possible to avoid going old and spoiling within a week or two. (Read Do Veggie Burgers Go Bad In The Fridge)
How to Tell if Grape Juice is Bad?
When natural grape juice is stored at room temperature, the organic acids react with the air and ferments, which would be an early stage of making wine.
There are four warning signs of spoiled grape juice to watch for:
- The scent might shift from sweet and fruity to bland or acidic.
- It could have a sour, moldy, or fermented taste to it.
- Third, its color could turn from bright purple to dark purple.
- Finally, it may appear to have a thick texture.
If you see any of these signs, it’s best to discard your juice.
Does Unopened Grape Juice Need To Be Refrigerated?
There is a common question: How long does grape juice last after opening?
In the unopened condition, you’ll find most grape juices are pasteurized, where they are heat-treated to kill any harmful bacteria.
Aside from that, once you’ve opened a bottle of grape juice, many of the chemicals that are supposed to keep it fresh degrade.
When airborne bacteria take over, the somewhat acidic organic fruit content is influenced by moisture.
The grape juice that has been opened usually lasts 5-7 days. However, sealed or bottled grape juice can last up to two or three months under ideal conditions.
It’s better to avoid any juice bottle where the contents have an unusual odor or appear moldy.
However, to avoid food poisoning, we recommend you smell it before tasting it.
Alternatively, if you still have the juice in a carton, check to see if it’s over its expiry date.
Does Welches grape juice need to be refrigerated?
The precise answer depends to a large extent on your storage conditions. Keep opened bottles of juice refrigerated and the lids tightly closed. If continuously refrigerated, your grape juice lasts 7 to 10 days after opening.
Can you drink grape juice left out overnight?
According to the US Food and Drug Administration, perishable foods you should keep refrigerated should only be left at room temperature for two hours before they are unsafe to consume. (Learn How Long Do Deviled Eggs Last In The Fridge)
However, it’s good practice to keep opened grape juice refrigerated.
How long does grape juice last?
Grape juice’s shelf life is governed by how it is prepared and stored.
Freshly squeezed juice can be kept in the fridge for up to two days.
It will keep in the freezer for up to a month if frozen. Processed grape juice keeps its freshness until its expiration date when sealed.
Does grape juice go bad if not refrigerated?
The unopened grape juice that has been sold unrefrigerated and kept at room temperature will typically hold its best quality for around 18 to 24 months after the date on the bottle. After that, however, it will most likely remain safe to drink.
After being thawed, how long does grape juice last?
The grape juice that has been liquified in the refrigerator can be kept for 3 to 5 days before use; however, grape juice that has been melted in the microwave or cold water should be used immediately.
Can Old Grape Juice Make You Sick?
The shelf life of unopened juice is 12 months. However, whether refrigerated, juice can spoil once opened.
Spoiled juice has an unpleasant odor and flavor, and it will give your children stomachaches and diarrhea if they drink it.
Juice that has been incorrectly pasteurized and not stored properly leads to spoiled juice and can make you sick.
If you leave your grape juice out in the sunlight, the warmth from the sunlight may cause the temperature of the grape juice to fluctuate.
It promotes the growth of germs and molds, shortening the shelf life of grape juice.
Never leave a bottle of grape juice open to the air. If you haven’t used your juice bottle or gallon yet, close it. The grape juice may oxidize if exposed to the air.
It has the potential to hasten the fermentation of your grape juice. As a result, your grape juice’s sugars will be transformed into alcohols, and your grape juice will no longer be grape juice but grape wine.
You may only keep freshly produced grape juice in the fridge for two days. It is free of preservatives that could shorten its shelf life. You can keep it in the freezer for a more extended period.
If you won’t be able to use all the grape juice in a month, store it in the freezer. Put an airtight container halfway with grape juice and freeze it. You could also use ice cube trays to freeze your grape juice.
Later, you can transfer them to Ziplock bags. Grape juice cubes are more convenient because they may be dropped directly into sparkling water or soda. You can also reduce the grape juice in a saucepan over low heat and freeze it.
How long does grape juice last?
The shelf life of grape juice is determined by how it is prepared and stored.
You can keep your freshly made juice in the fridge for up to two days. When frozen, it can last up to a month in the freezer. When sealed, the processed grape juice keeps its freshness until its expiration date.
Opening grape juice will last for a month when kept in the fridge.
There will be no change in taste, and there will be no mold formation.
The frozen grape juice has the longest shelf life, lasting up to a year in the freezer. It keeps the same taste, flavor, and texture when thawed to room temperature.
You will, however, need to drink the juice right away, or you’ll find you have bad grape juice.
Spoiled grape juice goes through fermentation and has a vinegar-like smell. So when you ask, does grape juice go bad? This smell is the quickest way to determine you have bad grape juice.
If you open a bottle of bad grape juice, it could fizz. But, like red wine, grape juice shouldn’t fizz, which means you would have sour grape juice should you try to drink it.
How you should store grape juice?
Store grape juice in jars with tight-fitting lids in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days.
If you keep juice out for an extended period, it begins its fermentation process. Place fresh grape juice in a freezer bag with a zipper and seal it to freeze.
Your grape juice needs to be kept in a cool, dry place when unopened.
If you leave opened grape juice in the sun, the temperature fluctuates, which encourages the growth of bacteria and mold, reducing the shelf life and leaving you with bad grape juice.
Does Juice Need To Be Refrigerated After Opening?
Storing grape juice, the right way will avoid illness and leave you with a drink you enjoy for longer.
If you aren’t drinking the juice pack, keep it refrigerated. Remember to properly close the container to keep any contaminating bacteria or moisture from the contents.
Before storing the juice in the refrigerator, transfer it from the commercial packaging into a glass bottle with a tight lid.
Modern juice packing, however, using the newest TetraPak technology, is also effective in preventing undesirable contamination. Just check the date as you don’t want to store expired grape juice.
Drinking grape juice with an off odor or a rotten appearance will make you sick.
In certain people, botulism, often known as food poisoning, can be caused by the improperly fermented grape juice.
Grape Juice Food Safety Tips
Here are a few tips to tell if grape juice is bad or prevents it from going bad.
Don’t Keep Grape Skin
Wild yeast can be found in grape juice with fruit skin left in it.
Even though it’s a small amount, it’s enough for fermentation in stored grape juice when left unattended. As a result, aged grape juice may turn to ferment and become red wine.
Drink Juice Early as Possible
The taste and perfume of grape juice can be preserved for a long time by freezing it.
The nutrients, however, will break down as cold temperatures are ineffective at preserving nutrients.
Ascorbic Acid
Spraying grape juice with ascorbic acid is a workable but contentious method of preserving it.
This acid aids in the long-time preservation of your juice. It’s primarily found in canned meats, fruit juice, cereals, and frozen fruits.
Never Keep Grape Juice at Room Temperature
It’s a good idea to thaw frozen bottles of grape juice. Remember that thawed grape juice can spoil in as little as a few hours if left at room temperature.
