Does Maple Syrup Go Bad? - Maple from Canada (2024)

FAQs

Does Maple Syrup Go Bad? - Maple from Canada? ›

Maple syrup can expire, though in most cases it will only spoil after being opened. A sealed bottle of pure maple syrup, stored in an airtight glass container, can last a few years. However, once opened, it should be refrigerated and consumed within six months to a year.

Maple syrup can go bad, though this only tends to occur after the bottle has been opened. A sealed bottle of pure maple syrup, stored properly in an airtight glass container, will last several years, while an opened bottle can stay in the fridge for between six months and a year.

Maple syrup can last near forever if it is stored properly. If the maple container is sealed and unopened, keep it stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. A pantry or cabinet is a good option. It's best stored in glass, then plastic, and finally in lined tin.

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.

Pure maple syrup does have a shelf life. According to the USDA, it is safe to keep pure maple syrup unopened in the pantry for a year, opened in the refrigerator for a year and for years when kept in the freezer.

To store maple syrup properly, refrigerate or freeze it after opening. To maintain the color and flavor of maple syrup, always store it in glass containers, never plastic - even if unopened! When stored in plastic, the syrup will darken over time due to oxygen permeating through the plastic.

As it turns out, maple syrup does have a shelf life once opened, and mold is not as uncommon as we thought. StillTasty.com indicates that 100 percent pure maple syrup should keep for a year unopened in the pantry, a year opened in the refrigerator, and indefinitely in the freezer.

Maple syrup should be kept in the refrigerator once it's opened so as to discourage mold from growing on the 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.

In this situation, a great solution is to separate your syrup into smaller containers and freeze some of them. Maple syrup can be stored in the freezer indefinitely. Fun fact: Maple syrup freezes in a slushy consistency because of the sugars in it.

If you see mold on maple syrup, you should throw the entire container away. (A less common occurrence would be to notice sour, fruity, or floral odor. This is a sign that the syrup has fermented and it's also recommended that you discard it.)

Does 100% pure maple syrup spoil? ›

Maple syrup will go bad if stored under improper conditions. To prevent spoilage, maple syrup should be stored in a cool, dark location such as a cupboard, refrigerator, or freezer. In this manner, maple syrup can be safely kept for a year or more.

Of course, cloudy syrup is not a big deal for the home hobbyist but if you're selling syrup, it's an absolute no-no. That's why most large sugarmakers also use a hydrometer – not only does it guarantee the proper sugar content but allows for exact grading and eliminates sugar sand.

The short answer is technically no, syrup does not expire. That's due to the high sugar content of pure maple syrup, according to the experts at Ben's Sugar Shack, who produce syrup in New Hampshire.

Did You Know? Vermont is undoubtedly the largest maple syrup producer in the United States, producing over 2.55 million gallons of maple syrup in 2022.

Maple syrup gives you carbohydrates in the form of sugars without fiber. As a result, maple syrup can cause swings in blood sugar and insulin levels. Insulin is a hormone that moves sugar in our blood to cells that convert it to energy. People with diabetes may have bad side effects from the sugar in maple syrup.

To prevent spoilage, maple syrup should be stored in a cool, dark location such as a cupboard, refrigerator, or freezer. In this manner, maple syrup can be safely kept for a year or more. Upon opening, store your syrup container in the freezer or refrigerator, consume within a year from the date of opening.

It is recommended all Lyle's Golden Syrups be consumed within three months of opening. Over time pressure can build up in the tin in the space between the syrup and the lid, therefore it is not advisable to use these products if they are past their best before date.

Commercially available date syrups last for at least 18 months but you can extend it with proper storage. The expiration date written on the label is the “best by” date of using it. But, it doesn't mean that the product will be unusable after the time is over.