WHEN DO JELLIES AND JAMS EXPIRE? HERE'S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Those jars of jam stored in your pantry might need to be tossed.

Turning your favorite fruits into jams and jellies has long been a way to keep summer's essence fresh longer. While ripe fruits only last a few days, preserved items could last for months, providing some much-needed sweetness over the winter. Naturally, we expect items like this to last for a while since that was their original purpose, but they don’t last indefinitely.

How Long Do Jellies and Jams Last?

Store-Bought Jam and Jelly

Store-bought jellies and jams will last longer than homemade ones, typically for 12-18 months closed. If you purchase from the store, you can look for an expiration date to check if it's still suitable to eat. However, that only tells you how long the food will be fresh if it's unopened. Once opened, a store-bought jelly is good for about 6 months, but it's best to use them sooner than that since their freshness wanes once opened.

Homemade Jam and Jelly

When it comes to homemade jellies, they tend not to last as long, unfortunately. The shelf life of an unopened jar from a small batch of jam is approximately 6-12 months if stored properly (don't forget to mark the date you made the jelly on your jar!). And be sure to use it within a year of canning. Also, ensure that homemade jams are properly sealed in a water bath or with pressure canning. If not, they may have already spoiled before even opening.

Once opened, homemade jellies and jams will last from one to three months in the fridge, depending on the type of produce used. Just as you marked the date you made the jam, you may also want to add when it was opened so you can use it when it's still at its best. And, though they last longer, you can add a piece of masking tape to store-bought jars to show when those were opened as well.

Related: 19 Household Items You Should Probably Throw Out Now

Handling Cans and Jars

Before you open any of your jars, homemade or commercially produced, store them in a cool, dry place away from sun and heat exposure to maximize their longevity. Once opened, all jams and jellies should be refrigerated to prevent them from spoiling.

Also, be careful with cross-contamination. If you double-dip with a knife and introduce a product with a shorter shelf life, it can cause your jam to go bad faster and introduce mold. And, of course, if you notice a new specimen growing atop your favorite peach jam without any contamination or tampering, it's time to toss that jar and find a new jelly for your toast.

Interestingly, the type of fruit in the jam makes a difference in its shelf life. Fruits containing more acid tend to last longer when preserved than those with a lower acid content.

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Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens

2025-01-10T19:31:39Z