Does apple cider go bad? How does one know if their apple cider is bad? (2024)

FAQs

Does apple cider go bad? How does one know if their apple cider is bad? ›

If the cider is supposed to be sweet, but you taste a more sour, vinegary taste, then the apple cider has turned bad. Another way of determining if the fermentation process has started is to notice if the color of the cider has turned darker, or if a film is starting to develop.

After a bottle of alcohol has expired, it's okay to drink but the alcohol content will be decreased. Does cider go bad? Most ciders will expire after two years. It's not recommended aging them, as they will eventually yield cider vinegar.

Cider Sickness

This bacteria ferments sugars in the same way as yeasts, but it also produces many acetaldehydes which can be detected by its smell- similar to lemon and banana skins. Acetaldehyde also combines with the tannin present in cider and gives off a milky haze, turning the cider thin and bland.

The Bottom Line

By nature, apple cider vinegar is self-preserving and should never go bad. However, over time, it will age and undergo some harmless physical changes. So, don't worry about that ancient bottle you uncovered in the way back of your pantry.

Well, one way to check is by giving it a sniff. If it smells sour or like beer or wine, it's definitely started fermenting, and you should toss it out. Another clue is if you see small bubbles or the juice looks a bit cloudy, those are also signs of fermentation, and it's best not to drink it.

Can apple cider go bad, or does apple cider expire? Well, it doesn't go bad in the sense that it's spoiled or expired and not safe for consumption. When unpasteurized apple cider is said to go bad, this means that it has started to ferment, and the sugars in it will eventually turn into alcohol.

It will become darker in color and start to froth. When those things start to occur, it just means the cider is undergoing fermentation. It will taste more sour like vinegar, but it's by no means harmful. The cider just becomes unpleasant-tasting and slightly more alcoholic.

It is not the alcohol in the hard cider that goes bad, but, rather, the flavor profiles of it change over time. It is not technically expired in the traditional sense of expiration but the hard cider develops a stronger, undesirable taste that has become even more alcoholic.

Cider has a strong propensity to develop sulfur off-odors which are largely attributable to hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). There are several variables and potential sources of these off-odors.

Infected cider is often extremely hazy, even turbid, and almost milky in appearance. Infection can proceed quite quickly.

Why does my apple cider have stuff floating in it? ›

“It's a little bit of sediment from the apples themselves, and it's also vinegar mother,” which is a natural by-product of the fermentation process.

In fact — congratulations — you have a mother. A mother of vinegar, that is. Yes, it looks rather grungy and scary, floating on the top of the vinegar like that, but this spongy mass of bacteria is completely harmless.

Apple cider vinegar isn't likely to be effective for weight loss. Proponents of apple cider vinegar claim that it has numerous health benefits and that drinking a small amount or taking a supplement before meals helps curb appetite and burn fat. However, there's little scientific support for these claims.

Drinking spoiled juice can cause stomachaches and diarrhea. Your kids can get sick from improperly pasteurized juice. Pasteurization refers to heating juice to kill bacteria. Unpasteurized juices or poorly pasteurized juices can cause serious food-borne diseases such as E.

Apple cider vinegar is acidic and has antimicrobial properties that make it self-preserving. So even if it's old and past its “best by” date, it's safe to consume. It might change in taste, texture or appearance over time, though, especially if it's opened or stored in a hot or sunny place.

Fresh orange juice has a distinct fresh scent, but if it smells rancid, rotten, or like vinegar, it's a no-go. Check for mold too. If you see any white or green growth on the surface, toss it out immediately – it could be harmful to your health. Sediment is also a good indicator of spoiled juice.

While hard cider can be aged for years, it becomes drier as time passes, and the general shelf-life of cider is considered to be a year or two.

Question: How long will my cider last? Answer: Our bottled products have at least 12 months best before date. Once opened a bag in box cider has a shelf life of 4 - 6 months.

16- and 17-year-olds

Someone aged 16 or 17 and accompanied by an adult, can drink (but not buy) beer, wine or cider with a meal at a licensed premises (except in Northern Ireland).

We don't recommend drinking Old Mout after its “best before” date as it might not deliver our exotic fruit flavours at their best.