Celery juice has become an increasingly popular health drink in recent years. Advocates claim it provides a range of benefits, from reducing inflammation to aiding weight loss. But once you’ve made your morning celery juice, how long does it stay fresh and retain its nutrients? Here’s a comprehensive look at how long celery juice lasts, how to tell if it has gone bad, and tips for storing it to extend its shelf life.
Why Celery Juice?
Before diving into how long celery juice lasts, let’s take a quick look at why it has become such a health craze. Celery is an extremely hydrating and alkalizing vegetable. It contains beneficial phytonutrients like antioxidants and polysaccharides. It also has unique organic sodium clusters that many claim have healing properties. Here are some of the touted benefits of drinking daily celery juice on an empty stomach:
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Lowers blood pressure
- Aids digestion and gut health
- Detoxifies the liver
- Boosts immunity
- Improves skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis
- Reduces bloating and water retention
- Helps balance blood sugar
However, many of these benefits require consuming the celery juice immediately after juicing, when the nutrients are most intact. This brings us to the question of how long you can store celery juice and still get the most out of it.
How Long Does Celery Juice Last in the Fridge?
Freshly made celery juice will last the longest when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Under proper refrigeration, celery juice will last up to:
- 24 hours: Still very nutritious and fresh if consumed within 24 hours of juicing. You may notice the color dulling slightly or sediment forming at the bottom of the container.
- 3 days: Celery juice lasts for 2-3 days when properly stored, but you may notice it darkening and the flavor becoming more bitter.
- 5-7 days: After 5 days, celery juice loses its brightness and lively flavor. It’s still safe to drink but has reduced nutrients.
So for maximum nutrition and flavor, try to drink your celery juice within 24 hours. If juicing in bulk, aim to use or freeze portions within 2-3 days.
How to Tell If Celery Juice Has Gone Bad
Being able to identify signs of spoilage in celery juice will help you avoid consuming bad batches. Here are the indicators that celery juice has gone bad and is no longer safe or appetizing to drink:
- Appearance: Separated watery layer, thick sediment at bottom, dramatically darkened or dull color.
- Smell: Rotten, offensive odor.
- Taste: Very bitter, rancid, or sour flavor.
- Texture: Extremely thick, pulpy, or slimy.
- Time: More than 5-7 days since juicing.
As always, use your best judgment – if celery juice ever smells or looks unappetizing to you, it’s better to be safe than sorry and not drink it.
Does Celery Juice Go Bad When Frozen?
Freezing is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of celery juice. Properly frozen celery juice can maintain most of its nutrients for up to 6 months in the freezer. To freeze celery juice:
- Wash and prep celery, then juice it immediately before freezing for maximum freshness.
- Pour juice into freezer-safe airtight containers, leaving 1-inch headspace.
- Let juice cool to room temperature, then seal and freeze.
- For easy use, freeze juice in ice cube trays or muffin tins, then transfer to bags.
- Use within 6 months for best quality and nutrition.
One downside to freezing is that it can diminish the flavor of celery juice. But the nutritional content remains high. Properly frozen juice may separate or become cloudy but is still perfectly safe to consume.
Tips for Storing Celery Juice
Here are some top tips for storing your celery juice to maximize how long it lasts:
- Juice in small batches – don’t juice more than you can drink in a day or two.
- Seal tightly – use airtight containers and minimize air exposure.
- Refrigerate immediately – chill juice right after juicing.
- Freeze for longer storage – portion juice into freezer bags or trays.
- Drink ASAP – for the very best nutrition and taste, consume within 24 hours.
- Watch for signs of spoilage – discard if smells bad, changes texture, or becomes discolored.
Following these simple guidelines will help you get the most out of every batch of celery juice you make!
The Bottom Line
So how long does celery juice last after you’ve made it? With proper storage in the fridge, celery juice will stay fresh for:
- 24 hours – Best quality and maximum nutrients.
- 3 days – Still nutritious but flavor declines.
- 5-7 days – Drinkable but well past peak nutrition and flavor.
For the best experience, drink your celery juice immediately after juicing. But if needed, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 6 months with minimal nutrient loss. Just be aware that it may lose vibrancy and potency over time. Watch for signs of spoilage like off smells, change in consistency, or very dark color.
Drink your juice right after making it, store in airtight containers, freeze for longer storage, and enjoy the delicious benefits of celery juice!
| Time Since Juicing | Quality |
|---|---|
| Within 24 hours | Best quality and maximum nutrients |
| 2-3 days | Still nutritious but flavor declines |
| 5-7 days | Drinkable but past peak nutrition and flavor |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I refrigerate celery juice right after juicing?
Yes, it’s important to refrigerate celery juice immediately after juicing to preserve nutrients and prevent bacterial growth. Let the juice cool to room temperature before sealing it in an airtight container and chilling in the fridge.
Can I freeze celery juice in plastic containers?
Celery juice can be frozen in plastic containers as long as they have tight lids. Mason jars or other glass containers are ideal as well. The key is minimizing air exposure by sealing tightly before freezing.
Does celery juice lose nutrients after being made?
Yes, celery juice begins losing some nutrients after juicing, with the greatest losses coming after 24 hours. Drink juice quickly for maximum nutrition. If storing, opt for freezing over refrigeration to better preserve nutrients.
Why does my celery juice turn brown?
Oxidation causes celery juice to turn brown over time, especially if exposed to air. This is harmless but indicates the juice is past peak freshness. For best color and taste, drink juice within 1-2 days of making it.
Is celery juice still good if frozen for a year?
While technically safe to consume after being frozen for a year, the celery juice will likely suffer in terms of taste, aroma, color and nutrient content. For best quality and freshness, try to finish frozen celery juice within 6 months.
The Takeaway on Storing Celery Juice
Celery juice offers the most nutrients and best flavor when consumed immediately after juicing. If needed, it can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 6 months while still retaining most of its benefits. Look for signs of spoilage before drinking and aim to juice only what you can use within a day or two for ultimate freshness.
With the proper storage methods of minimal air exposure, airtight containers, quick chilling, and optimal timing, you can enjoy all the purported benefits of celery juice even with a busy lifestyle. Just be sure to drink each batch within 5-7 days for juice that is both safe and nutrient-packed.
