How to tell if applesauce is bad? Nobody wants to eat bad applesauce, so how to tell if applesauce is bad?
Sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s gone bad. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to identify if your applesauce is rotten, how to make it last longer, and how long.
Keep reading to learn more!
If applesauce has gone bad and has an ill odor, taste, look, and mold, it should be discarded.
How Long Will Applesauce Last?
Can applesauce go bad? Sealed applesauce will keep its quality for at least a few months beyond the expiration date.
The sauce will keep for approximately a week once the seal is broken.
However, applesauce must be refrigerated to keep it cold and prevent bacterial development.
Applesauce may be stored in the refrigerator for up to a month, depending on the brand. If you want your leftover sauce to last a little longer, try freezing it.
The best-by date might help you anticipate how long your applesauce will last before going bad.
Unlike the expiry or sell-by date, you may still eat the goods beyond this date.
Because various manufacturers utilize different ingredients to extend the shelf life of their products, no law regulates how long applesauce will keep excellent beyond the best-by date.
However, applesauce often lasts one to four months beyond the written date.
Of course, the longer the sauce is stored, the poorer the quality will be by the time you want to use it.
That means a can that’s four months beyond its best-by date won’t taste as fresh and tasty as one that’s just one week past.
How to Tell If Applesauce is Bad?
Because this sauce is made of apples, and all fruits deteriorate with time, you should expect your applesauce to begin rotting if left too long or not kept properly.
That’s why this section will help you decide if your applesauce is still good or if it has gone bad by learning about the following signs:
1. Observe the Color
Looking at the color of your applesauce might help you determine whether it is rotten.
\If the applesauce has changed color or seems discolored, it is most likely harmful and should not be consumed.
2. There is an Odd Odor
Remove the lid and give it a good sniff. Fresh applesauce has a distinct, sweet aroma.
An unpleasant odor or off scent is the greatest indicator of freshness.
If something doesn't smell right, it'll probably end up in the trash or down the drain.
3. Damage Container
If you haven’t opened your applesauce yet, ensure the container remains intact.
Check for leaks and corrosion, and make sure the lid is firmly sealed.
If you see any of these, presume the product is already rotten, regardless of whether it shows other indications of deterioration.
4. Presence of Mold
Mold-contaminated applesauce will include greenish, white, black, or grey particles of hairy and unappealing dust.
Some applesauce may even produce orange mold, depending on the components.
Applesauce that has been incorrectly stored or left open may soon become infested with mold.
If your sauce is stored in an opaque container, mold may grow unnoticed. Smell the applesauce if you dare.
A moldy odor indicates that the item should be discarded.
5. It Will Have a Thick and Slimy Texture.
When applesauce has gone bad, it will often have a thick consistency and a slimy appearance.
If your sauce has this consistency, it is preferable to dispose of it.
Tip: Consider the look. First, remember that extra water or liquid may pool at the top of the jar's contents, which is perfectly normal!
6. Bad Taste
You can do a taste test to know if your applesauce has gone bad; pour a little onto a spoon and taste it.
You’re certainly acquainted with its flavor, so use your common sense to assess whether it’s off.
Discard the whole jar if you discover a sour taste or an unexpected flavor!
If you are unsure if your sauce is still good, it is best to err on caution and throw it away.
7. Examine the Expiration Date
Checking the expiration date is another way to tell whether your applesauce has gone bad.
If the sauce has gone beyond its expiration date, it is probably no longer safe to eat.
When it comes to canned applesauce, examine the can for signs of deterioration.
If the package was damaged, the sauce might also have been affected.
How to Keep Applesauce Fresh and Longer?
Keeping your applesauce sauce fresh is easier if you care for them properly.
Following these tips can make your sauce endure for a longer period.
Maintain Tight Sealing
Make sure leftover applesauce is tightly wrapped before storing it in the refrigerator.
Applesauce is usually sold in a resealable jar. If yours does not seal correctly, put the sauce in a sealable container.
The freshly produced sauce should also be kept in an airtight container.
Scoop with a Clean Spoon
The essential thing to remember while working with applesauce is always to use clean forks.
Using a spoon that has previously been used to scoop something else (double-dipping) is a no-no.
If you disregard this advice, you may wind up with a beautiful spot of mold on the surface of your applesauce in a matter of days. Just a thought.
Store in a Cold and Dark Place
How to tell if canned applesauce is bad? Can applesauce be stored in a cold, dark place, away from any sources of light and sound?
The pantry is the most excellent option, but a kitchen cupboard would do.
The sauce has been pasteurized and professionally packaged to eliminate the possibility of microbiological contamination.
As a result, there is no need to store it in the refrigerator.
Refrigerate the Applesauce
Preservatives are used in store-bought sauce and are professionally packed to increase its shelf life and avoid microbiological contamination.
As a result, a fresh can will not need to be refrigerated. However, after the sauce has been opened, it must be refrigerated to prevent spoilage.
Refrigeration is extremely vital when making homemade applesauce.
Because it is unlikely to contain preservatives, keeping it in the refrigerator extends its shelf life.
You may preserve your homemade applesauce by canning it.
Freeze the Applesauce
When freezing applesauce, make sure it’s in a freezer-safe container.
For the best results, follow these steps:
- Place the applesauce in a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until completely cooled.
- Dip a spoon in and taste a little piece of it to see whether it is chilly to the touch.
- Fill a freezer-safe jar halfway with your sauce. This may be a jar or a resealable freezer bag (remember to press out any extra air).
- If you use a jar, allow a 1-inch gap at the top since the applesauce will adhere to the jar’s rims when frozen, making it difficult to open if filled to the top.
- Seal it tightly and identify it with the date of first storage.
- Freeze it for up to two months (homemade may survive longer, but it’s better to be careful).
- If you want to keep your applesauce for a few days, thaw it in the fridge while it’s defrosting.
- Eat immediately if thawed outside of the refrigerator.
What Are The Consequences of Eating Bad Applesauce?
If the sauce is just a few months over its expiration date, it is unlikely to make you sick.
However, the quality will suffer significantly, and the product will likely not taste as good as fresh.
The only time you need to be concerned about swallowing rotten applesauce is when you consume large quantities of it.
While eating a little mold may not harm, taking large volumes of it may be deadly.
For Instance:
Foodborne Illness
Consuming expired applesauce after it has passed its expiration date puts you at risk of acquiring a foodborne illness.
Since this may result in symptoms such as:
Stomach Cramps
Another symptom caused by bacteria in contaminated applesauce might be severe.
The contraction of the stomach muscles causes cramping.
Nausea
Bad applesauce may also cause nausea. Nausea is a feeling of unease and sickness usually followed by vomiting.
Diarrhea
Is produced by the same bacteria that causes vomiting when you consume contaminated applesauce.
Because the sauce contains dairy, consuming it after it has gone bad may cause an upset stomach or food illness.
Respiratory Issues
The following symptoms may occur if someone with mold sensitivity or respiratory problems consumes moldy, expired applesauce:
- Asthma
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Lung Cancer
- Pneumonia
- Cystic Fibrosis/Bronchiectasis
- Pleural Effusion
The good news is that mold tastes fairly terrible, so you'll probably notice it and stop eating immediately.
If you fear you have swallowed an alarming quantity of mold or are beginning to feel ill, get medical attention immediately.
Final Verdict
How to tell if applesauce is bad? The first thing to check for is the applesauce’s expiry or best-by date.
If it has passed its expiry date, you should probably discard it. Next, check to see if the applesauce is discolored or if anything that seems to be mold is developing.
Throw it away if you spot mold or it seems off-color, and it is beyond its best date.
If there is no visible mold or deterioration, open the container and smell it. If it stinks, get rid of it.
If it smells OK, it is most likely still edible. Thanks for reading!