Shelf Life Tips
- How long does unopened lemon juice last? The precise answer to the question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - store unopened bottles of lemon juice in a cool, dark area.
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To extend the shelf life of unopened lemon juice, keep lemon juice away from direct sources of heat or light.
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How long does unopened lemon juice last at room temperature? Properly stored, unopened lemon juice that has been sold unrefrigerated and contains preservatives will generally stay at best quality for about 12 to 18 months when stored at room temperature, although it will usually remain safe to use after that.
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Is unopened lemon juice safe to use after the "expiration" date on the bottle? Yes, provided it is properly stored and the bottle is undamaged - commercially packaged lemon juice will typically carry a " Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before", or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the lemon juice will remain at peak quality.
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Storage times shown are for best quality only - after that, the unopened lemon juice's color or flavor may change, but in most cases, it will still be safe to consume if it has been stored properly, the bottle is not damaged and there are no signs of spoilage (see below).
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How can you tell if lemon juice is bad? If lemon juice develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
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Discard all lemon juice from bottles that are leaking, bulging or severely dented.
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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
