A bottle of maple syrup can be expensive—especially if you're buying top-notch grade A syrup—and it would be a shame if any went to waste. If you're wondering how long syrup lasts and if it even goes bad at all, then read on. We consulted the experts about how best to store syrup and when to toss it.
Does Maple Syrup Go Bad?
The short answer is technically no,syrup does not expire. That's due to thehigh sugar contentof pure maple syrup, according to the experts at Ben's Sugar Shack, who produce syrup in New Hampshire. This is the same reason whyhoneynever expires; bacteria have a hard time growing in these high-sugar, low-moisture environments.
But one difference between honey and syrup is that syrup can get moldy after the container's been opened. This is because it has been exposed to mold spores in the air.
What To Do About Moldy Syrup
If you store your open maple syrup at room temperature, let it sit out for long periods of time, or just forget about it in the fridge, there's a chance it will grow a thin layer of mold on the top. Folks in maple syrup-producing regions have long felt comfortable simply skimming off this mold and proceeding as usual. This may very well be fine, but it's not what we'd call an official recommendation.
To ensure your moldy maple syrup is safe to use, first skim off the mold. Then heat the syrup to at least 180°F to kill off any remaining mold spores and bacteria. Strain into a clean container through cheesecloth and use or store in the fridge.
Does Pancake Syrup Go Bad?
Things are a little bit different if you're buying pancake syrup, not pure maple syrup. Pancake syrup is often a type of corn syrup that's been flavored. According to Karo, which makes corn syrup and pancake syrup, its high sugar content means it doesn't spoil and doesn't need to be refrigerated. It is also not typically susceptible to mold.
How to Store Syrup
According to the USDA, unopened maple syrup can be safely stored in the pantry for a year, but it will likely last for longer. After opening, move the bottle to the fridge to discourage mold growth. It will keep well for a year. That being said, maple syrup doesn't technically go bad, but your chances of it becoming moldy go up over time.
For longer storage, stick maple syrup in the freezer. It won't completely harden and will keep in the freezer indefinitely.
Pancake or breakfast syrup can be stored in a closed container, unopened or opened, in the pantry. It's best to use it within a year, but it will keep indefinitely.
A version of this article originally appeared onMyRecipes.com
FAQs
If it smells good and tastes good, it is good! If there is mold on the surface or in the container, you can scrape it off or strain the syrup through a cheese cloth to remove all of the mold pieces. Since mold cannot grow inside syrup, there should only be surface mold.
Can you eat maple syrup that has mold? ›
Re-Heating Maple Syrup
Re-heating your syrup to 180°F should kill any mold or bacteria in your syrup and make it safe to eat.
Can you eat 10 year old maple syrup? ›
So does syrup ever go bad? The short answer is technically no, syrup does not expire and you can keep an unopened container of the stuff on your shelf indefinitely. That's due to the high sugar content of pure maple syrup, according to the experts at Ben's Sugar Shack, which produces syrup in New Hampshire.
How to know if maple syrup is bad? ›
How to Tell if Maple Syrup Has Gone Bad. To be sure your maple syrup is at its freshest, check for these three things before you pour it on a pile of pancakes: visible mold, an off smell, and an off flavor. Visible mold should be pretty easy to identify. It can appear fuzzy and light brown or green in color.
What happens if you drink expired maple syrup? ›
In some cases, organic maple syrup will still be safe to consume after its expiry date, provided that there is no mould present and the bottle has been stored properly.
Is cloudy maple syrup ok to eat? ›
This is the result of sugar sand (also called niter) and every sugarmaker has dealt with it in their syrup-making career. While it's not very appetizing and can sometimes affect taste, sugar sand is not a sign of spoilage or bad syrup.
Does maple syrup go bad if not refrigerated? ›
When unopened, you can store hot-packed pure maple syrup for at least a year (or more) in the pantry at room temperature. Once opened, does maple syrup need to be refrigerated if it's the pure variety? Yes, because it's a natural product with no preservatives and can spoil or grow mold.
How to remove mold from maple syrup? ›
Should mold grow on maple syrup, it's safe and easy to remove. Just scoop the mold off the top of the syrup with a spoon and discard the mold. Another way of removing the mold is to strain the maple syrup into a clean container through a piece of cheesecloth.
What does bad maple syrup taste like? ›
maple syrup off-flavors
Musty: syrup tastes yeasty or moldy, and has a moldy odor. Usually this happens when syrup is stored in an unsealed container or run through moldy filters. Ferment: fermented may be honey-like, alcoholic or fruity to the taste, and often will have a foam at the top.
How do you know if you have maple syrup disease? ›
Within a few days and as the disease quickly progresses, infants with MSUD will display abnormal or spastic movements, hypertonia, neurological symptoms, and a distinctive odor of maple syrup in their urine, sweat and/or earwax. Children with classic MSUD may also have: Intellectual disabilities or limitations.
Is it still safe to eat? Absolutely. Because of its high sugar content, maple syrup will last a very long time at typical room temperatures. The worst you would have to do (after quite a long period of exposure) would be to skim a thin layer of mold off of the top.
How do you dispose of expired maple syrup? ›
Best Option
Put this item in your organic waste (formerly green waste) cart.
What happens if you drink expired syrup? ›
Expired medical products can be less effective or risky due to a change in chemical composition or a decrease in strength. Certain expired medications are at risk of bacterial growth and sub-potent antibiotics can fail to treat infections, leading to more serious illnesses and antibiotic resistance.
What is white stuff in maple syrup? ›
Signs of Spoiled Maple Syrup
The first thing to watch out for when it comes to detecting if maple syrup is bad is mold. If you see any blooms of white, green, or black, it's definitely time to throw it out.
What is the jelly like substance in maple syrup? ›
Ropiness of maple syrup is a phenomenon that can occur several times in the season. The alteration known as ÒropinessÓ is characterized by a viscous, thick, slimy/jelly-like texture which, although not noticeably altering the taste, renders the product unpleasant in terms of mouthfeel.
Is Ropey maple syrup safe to eat? ›
The ropy syrup problem
When bacteria contaminate the syrup, however, the syrup can instead have a stringy, ropy texture. Ropy syrup is inedible and must be discarded.
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