Can Vanilla Extract Go Bad?: In most baking recipes we use vanilla extract which gives extraordinary flavor to your recipes. But most of us won’t rely on baking recipes regularly, right?
So, if you suddenly see a bottle of extract in your cupboard, you may get these questions in your mind, can vanilla extract go bad? How long does this vanilla extract last? Does vanilla extract expire? If you are the one who goes into this dilemma, then you have come to the right place.
Vanilla extract was first introduced in 1874 in Indonesia, natural extract is produced from vanilla beans. These beans are percolated in a solution of water and ethyl alcohol. Some of these extracts have sugar and caramel color.
The main difference you can see between pure and imitation vanilla extract is the smell. Pure vanilla extract distinctively has a complex flavor compared to artificial vanilla extract. It will be more flavorful even if you add a few drops of it.
Here, in this article, we are going to look at how to know if it is bad and also learn how to store vanilla extract to maximize freshness and more. Just check out this article and get answers to all your questions. Let’s get started!!
- Can Vanilla Extract Go Bad? How To Tell That It Is Bad?
- How Long Does Vanilla Extract Last?
- How to Store Vanilla Extract?
- Will I get sick if I use expired vanilla extract?
- Can we freeze vanilla extract in a refrigerator?
- What is the best imitation vanilla extract?
Can Vanilla Extract Go Bad? How To Tell That It Is Bad?
No. Vanilla extract will not spoil or go bad as meat or dairy goes it might be artificial or pure. We will have the expiry for the imitation extract by reading this you might be thinking, don’t we have any labels for pure extracts? It will also have the labels of best by date as we need to follow the law but it will last indefinite years. Once your imitation extract has completed its time it doesn’t mean that it will spoil. But it will lose its quality as well as its flavor and aroma which is useless.
If you want to know if your vanilla extract is bad, the most common signs you can see are that vanilla extract will have an unpleasant smell, changes the flavor of the liquid, and also changes the consistency of the liquid. Check it twice, as the flavors of pure and imitation vanilla extract are different.
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How Long Does Vanilla Extract Last?
As we said above, pure extract can be used for long years while artificial extract has a limited shelf life might be between 2-4 years. The shelf life of extract depends on various factors like best by date, preparation method, and how it was stored.
| CanFoodGoBad.Com | |
|---|---|
| Types | Storage Life |
| Pure vanilla extract | Indefinitely |
| Imitation vanilla extract | Best-by + about 2 years |
If you got the extract for less price maybe you have bought the imitation vanilla extract, as the pure vanilla extract is a bit costly.
How to Store Vanilla Extract?
The vanilla extract should always be stored very appropriately. What do you mean appropriate? How to store? Let us discuss this below and it is not much difficult. By doing this you can store vanilla extract for a long time.
Vanilla extract is better stored in a moderately cool or slightly lower room temperature of between 60- 80F. As we told you that you need to keep it cool, do not keep it in the refrigerator. Freezing will likely decrease imitation vanilla extract quality. The most common places to store this extract are pantries, cabinets, and kitchen cupboards.
Mostly, vanilla extracts come in a dark-colored bottle like black or brown. To avoid the heat and sunlight, they do this. If your original packing is in the light-colored bottle then it is better to change it into the dark-colored bottle.
It is also one of the most important tips to remember. when the extract is not in use, you need to close the lid tightly. Because, if it is exposed to air and light extract may speed up alcohols evaporation and gives harmful bacteria a good chance to enter it. Extract always should be in an air-tight container and use the glass jar even if you brought it in a plastic bottle.
One more enemy for this vanilla extract is moisture along with heat and light. Do not hold it with wet hands, even if you introduce a single drop of water into it is not at all a good thing. It should be away from the dishwasher, stove, and refrigerator as molds might attack the undersides of bottle or jar lids.
If you have bought a large bottle of vanilla extract to use in your home, transferring them into smaller bottles will avoid opening the bottle too many times.
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FAQs on Can Vanilla Extract Go Bad?
1. Will I get sick if I use expired vanilla extract?
No, it is unlikely that you will get sick by using expired vanilla extract, but if you know it is gone bad it is better not to consume it.
2. Can we freeze vanilla extract in a refrigerator?
No, you should not freeze the vanilla extract in a refrigerator. By freezing it the quality of it will be reduced.
3. What is the best imitation vanilla extract?
One of the best imitation vanilla extracts is baker’s imitation vanilla flavor, and McCormick’s Culinary Clear Imitation Vanilla Extract.
Key Takeaways
Hope that the information provided on can vanilla extract go bad? is useful for you. By this, you may get some clarity on how to use, how to store, and how to know that extract is bad. Check the best by date before buying the extract and also make sure it is a pure extract. Still, if you have any doubts you can comment to us in the comment section below. For more interesting articles, stay tuned to our site canitgobad.com