Does Apple Sauce Need to Be Refrigerated? Does It Go Bad?

Apple is one of the most common and easily available fruits around the world. This is not only tasty, delicious and one of the most favoured ones but also the healthiest fruits. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”- who can forget this childhood poem that speaks truth and still echoes everywhere.

Apple can be taken in many ways. Apart from real fruit, there are a lot of apple preparations available not only to give you a unique and tangy taste but also to provide you with much-needed health care. Apple Sauce is certainly one of your choices. Therefore, you wish to store it for longer use, and for this purpose, there is a question that definitely comes to your mind – Does Apple Sauce Need To Be Refrigerated? But before going to find the answer you have to go through all about apple sauce. Here you go-

What Is Apple Sauce?

Apple sauce is a kind of sweet and tangy acidic liquid substance that is made from apples. Generally, it is prepared by cooking apple mixed with water or apple cider and sugar. Apart from that, some spices are also mixed to add some extra flavour and colour. Such as cinnamon, allspice, lemon juice, citric acid, ascorbic acid, etc. When the preparation turns into a thick paste, it indicates the sauce is ready and you can have it either hot or chilled with different dishes and recipes as well. Moreover, you can use it as a topping for waffles and pancakes.

How Long Does Apple Sauce Last?

Apple sauce is not a kind of substance with a longer shelf-life. Some of its ingredients cannot remain well with time. Therefore, once you buy a bottle of it, you should try to finish it early.

If you have an unopened bottle in your pantry, then it can be used for 2-4 months even though some manufacturers demand their products last more than a year. But if the bottle is opened the oxidation process will begin immediately and then it will start to deteriorate quickly.

Therefore, once you open the bottle of apple sauce, try to finish it within 10-14 days. If you have homemade apple sauce, then you have 4-7 days to use this.

How Do You Know If Apple Sauce Is Bad?

Probably, the most common way to identify the bad apple sauce is its smell. If your sauce doesn’t smell like an apple and develops off-odor then it should be discarded. Besides, if mould appears in the liquid or the colour is slightly changed, then it is not good to eat.

Also read: Does Hot Sauce Need To Be Refrigerated? Does It Go Bad?

How To Store Apple Sauce?

Apple sauce doesn’t require any special care while you go for storing. You need to be careful about heat and sunlight. If it is a glass or plastic bottle, then it should be kept in a dark and cool place away from direct sunlight, and make sure the temperature of the surroundings is not too hot. Perhaps a pantry or cupboard would be considerable for storing apple sauce.

But if you want to use it for a longer period then freezing would be another option that makes the thing possible. Once you put it inside the fridge, you have to allow some time to defrost it when you want to use it. If your apple sauce bottle is opened then to maintain its quality you have to close the lid tightly and then keep it inside the fridge.

Does Apple Sauce Need To Be Refrigerated?

Since apple sauce contains enough water and sugar, which are both sensitive to temperature changes, it would be a better idea to keep apple sauce in a refrigerator. This certainly reduces the chances of your sauce going bad early. It means, your apple sauce may get some more life if it is refrigerated properly.

 However, some of the manufacturers demand that their product doesn’t need to be refrigerated if it is unopened. Because they are pasteurized and properly sealed, there are very minimal chances for microbial contamination.

Homemade Apple Sauce: Homemade apple sauce is not less tasty, savoury, and tangy than what you’ve bought from the market. But here one thing is surely missing and that is the lack of preservatives. This shortens the shelf life of apple sauce. The only way to keep it for the long run is to put it in a refrigerator.

Half-Cooked Apple Sauce: Although there is no specific advice about whether a half-cooked apple sauce to be kept in a refrigerator or not, you need to apply your own idea for this matter. In my opinion, this half-cooked apple sauce should follow the same way and be refrigerated to earn some life.

Also read: Does Soy Sauce Have To Be Refrigerated?

Can You Freeze Apple Sauce?

Freezing apple sauce would be one of the best ideas to preserve it for months. But freezing apple sauce depends on what type of thing it is. They are-

1. If you have a store-bought unopened apple sauce bottle, then you don’t have to worry too much As it doesn’t require freezing. Only if you open the bottle and have some leftovers, then you can consider freezing before it goes bad.
2. As for homemade apple sauce, freezing is necessary as no preservatives are added to the sauce. Therefore to maintain it for a long time, freezing is the right thing for you.

How To Freeze Homemade Apple Sauce?

To freeze apple sauce you have to follow some steps. Here they are-

1. At first, freshly made hot apple sauce is allowed to cool to room temperature. Warm sauce may cause large ice crystals to form that will ruin the texture and flavour.
2. Now, pour the apple sauce into an ice cube tray and then place the tray into the freezer. Once it is fully frozen, pop up the cubes put them into the freezer bag and press the bag to remove air before sealing.
3. Finally, place the bags into the coldest part of the freezer as long as you’re directed.
4. When you come to use it you have to remove the bag from the freezer and place it on a flat tray for a few hours for defrosting. Once they are completely defrosted, use them as you wish.

Also read: Does Tartar Sauce Need To Be Refrigerated?

Can You Eat Hot Apple Sauce?

Apple sauce is not a kind of food that can be taken cold only. The delicious hot apple sauce can be served along with an oven omelette, some desserts, and also as a side dish for different types of meat as well.

Conclusion

So, finally, this article has come to an end. So far I have tried to provide you with all possible information to the best of my knowledge. I hope you’ll find all the necessary things that may help you to know apple sauce better than before. Good Luck!!!