How long can you leave apple juice unrefrigerated?
Apple juice is a popular beverage that many people enjoy drinking cold and refreshing straight from the refrigerator. But if you’ve ever had a bottle sitting out on the counter or wondered if an unopened bottle is still safe to drink after being left unrefrigerated, you may be unsure how long apple juice stays fresh at room temperature.
How Long Does Unopened Apple Juice Last at Room Temperature?
The shelf life of unopened apple juice depends on a few key factors:
- Type of packaging – Juice in sterile, airtight packaging like cans, Tetra Paks, or pouches specifically made for juice will last longer than juice in plastic bottles or glass containers.
- Best by date – This gives an indication of the manufacturer’s recommended timeframe for optimal quality and freshness.
- Storage conditions – Cool, dark places help preserve quality and freshness vs. warm, bright, humid conditions.
Taking these factors into account, here are some general guidelines for how long different types of unopened apple juice typically last at room temperature:
| Apple Juice Type | Room Temperature Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Canned | 12-18 months |
| Boxed (Tetra Pak) | 6-12 months |
| Plastic Bottle | 2-3 months |
| Glass Bottle | 2-3 months |
As you can see, unopened shelf-stable apple juice products like cans and juice boxes have a much longer shelf life at room temperature compared to bottles. This is because the sterile packaging protects the juice from oxygen and light exposure better than plastic or glass bottles. Once opened, these shelf-stable juices must be refrigerated and used within about a week.
How to Tell if Unopened Apple Juice Has Gone Bad
Although unopened apple juice can sometimes last for many months in the pantry, it’s always important to inspect it before drinking to check for signs of spoilage. Here’s what to look for:
- Bulging or leaking container – This can indicate pressure buildup from gas producing microbes.
- Mold – Check the inner seal and container rim for fuzzy mold growth.
- Discoloration – Apple juice that appears brown, cloudy or has sediment has likely oxidized.
- Off odors – An “off” smell that’s musty, vinegary or unpleasant is a red flag.
- Expired best by date – The manufacturer’s date is a good benchmark for peak quality.
If your unopened apple juice exhibits any signs of spoilage, it’s best not to drink it even if the best by date hasn’t passed. Trust your senses – if something seems off about the look, smell or packaging, it’s safest to discard it.
How Long Does Opened Apple Juice Last Unrefrigerated?
Once opened and exposed to air, apple juice has a much more limited shelf life at room temperature. Here are some guidelines for how long opened apple juice lasts unrefrigerated:
- Plastic bottle or glass bottle – 1 to 2 days
- Boxed/carton – 2 to 3 days
- Canned – 3 to 5 days
Even if it’s been opened, juice in cans or cardboard boxes lasts a bit longer than bottles since the containers provide more protection. However, no type of apple juice will last for more than 3-5 days after opening without refrigeration.
How to Tell When Opened Apple Juice Goes Bad
Once exposed to air, heat and light, opened apple juice goes bad quickly. Check for these signs of spoilage:
- Mold growth – May appear fuzzy or slimy in liquid or on underside of lid.
- Yeasty smell – Fermentation causes a beer-like odor.
- Bubbles or fizzing – Carbonation indicates microbial growth.
- Cloudiness – Particles floating can signal spoilage.
- Sour smell and taste – Unpleasant acidity signals juice has turned.
Apple juice that tastes or smells unpleasant or “off” should not be consumed. When refrigeration isn’t an option, stick to the recommended timelines for consuming opened juice before it goes bad.
Does Apple Juice Go Bad or Expire?
Like many fruit juices, apple juice does technically expire and go bad eventually. The key indicators apple juice has spoiled and expired include:
- Unpleasant odors
- Sour or “off” tastes
- Fizzing/bubbling
- Cloudiness or particles
- Mold growth
- Discoloration
These changes happen when the natural sugars, proteins, vitamins and flavors in the apple juice break down and become compromised. Exposure to air and warmth accelerates the chemical reactions and microbial growth that cause apple juice to degrade in quality and safety over time.
While expired apple juice may not make you sick, the taste and nutrition can suffer. That’s why adhering to the manufacturer’s best by date is ideal for enjoying apple juice at peak freshness and flavor.
Does Unrefrigerated Apple Juice Still Have the Same Nutrition?
Leaving apple juice unrefrigerated can potentially lead to some loss of vitamins and antioxidants. Here’s how its nutrition may be impacted:
- Vitamin C – Degrades rapidly when exposed to air, light and heat.
- Vitamin A – More stable but may still gradually decline in warm conditions.
- Antioxidants – Polyphenols and flavonoids are sensitive to oxidation.
- Sugars – Largely unaffected, although may ferment if yeast/bacteria grow.
While refrigeration helps slow the rate of nutrient degradation, as long as the juice shows no signs of spoilage, the nutritional value should still be relatively intact. However, consumption shortly after opening is ideal for getting the most nutrients.
Tips for Storing Apple Juice Properly
To get the longest shelf life and best quality from apple juice, follow these storage tips:
- Purchase juice in airtight, durable packaging like Tetra Paks.
- Check “best by” dates and choose juice with the furthest date.
- Store unopened juice in a cool, dark pantry away from heat/light sources.
- Refrigerate opened juice and use within a week for maximum freshness.
- Keep refrigerated juice as cold as possible – avoid opening the fridge frequently.
- Transfer juice to smaller containers if not using a full package quickly.
- Keep juice containers sealed tightly and clean around the rims to avoid contamination.
- Discard juice that smells, tastes or looks unpleasant.
Following refrigerated storage times and using opened juice quickly are the best ways to retain nutrients and prevent apple juice from going bad before you can enjoy its tasty convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get food poisoning from bad apple juice?
It’s unlikely you’ll get food poisoning or become seriously ill from drinking spoiled apple juice. However, it can cause minor stomach upset in some cases due to the growth of molds and bacteria. To be safe, dispose of apple juice if it smells or tastes unpleasant or has any signs of contamination.
Can spoiled apple juice make you vomit?
Yes, consuming apple juice well past its prime can potentially lead to vomiting or nausea in some cases. This is more likely if mold or bacterial overgrowth has occurred. The negative effects are usually short-lived, but it’s best to avoid drinking bad apple juice altogether.
Can you boil apple juice to make it safe if it’s been unrefrigerated?
Boiling is not recommended for apple juice that has been left unrefrigerated for long periods. While it can kill some microbes, it won’t remove toxins and can’t reverse chemical changes from oxidation that affect taste, color and nutrition. It’s safer to simply discard apple juice if it shows any signs of spoilage.
Does unrefrigerated apple juice make babies sick?
Babies have less immunity to harmful microbes, so apple juice that’s been left out too long could make them sick. Stick to only giving babies freshly opened juice stored properly in the fridge. Discard any leftovers after 24 hours refrigerated to be safe.
The Bottom Line
When sealed in shelf-stable packaging, unopened apple juice can stay fresh at room temperature for up to several months past the “best by” date. However, once opened it only lasts about 1-5 days maximum depending on the container. Keeping apple juice refrigerated and discarding any leftovers after a week is important for preventing spoilage and potential stomach upset. While it likely won’t cause major illness, degraded apple juice won’t taste great or provide maximum nutrition. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, refrigerate opened bottles, watch for signs of spoilage and enjoy your apple juice before it goes bad.