Does Apple Cider Vinegar Go Bad?

Does apple cider vinegar go bad? That’s the question many people come up with while cleaning the pantry. And fortunately for you, your vinegar is probably perfectly fine to use.

It’s scientifically proven that as time goes by, the number of vinegar bottles in your pantry increases.

It starts with a single bottle, then you buy another one for different purposes, and you end up with 5 bottles, 3 of them half-open.

If that’s you and you’d like to learn more about storage, shelf life, and going bad of apple cider vinegar, read on.

How to Store Apple Cider Vinegar

Storing apple cider vinegar is no different than storing balsamic vinegar, or any other vinegar for that matter.

You should keep it in a cool and dark place, away from sunlight and sources of heat. Bragg Live Foods recommends exactly that for their apple cider vinegar.

Most people store it in the pantry, but a cabinet in the kitchen works too, especially if you use it often.

Once you open the bottle, make sure it’s always sealed tightly when not in use.

How Long Does Apple Cider Vinegar Last

Vinegar is one of the few condiments that stays safe to consume indefinitely. Similar to sweeteners like honey, or hard liquors like whiskey, vinegar isn’t a liquid where bacteria or fungi can live and grow.

Vinegar is acidic. PH (Hydrogen Ion Concentration) of undiluted cider vinegar is between 4.25 to 5.0. This PH inhibits bacterial or microbial growth.

The presence of malic acid and acetic acid also makes vinegar a powerful disinfectant with antibacterial qualities.

Because of that, apple cider vinegar can last for years without deteriorating.

Of course, in many cases, the manufacturer puts the good old best-by date on the label. Often, it’s there because people trust the food more if it comes with a date.

Once you open the bottle, not much really changes in terms of the shelf life of this condiment.

	Pantry
Apple cider vinegar (unopened or opened)	Stays fine indefinitely

How to Tell if Apple Cider Vinegar Is Bad

Let’s start with something called vinegar mother.

It’s a dark and cloudy (some prefer to call it slimy) substance (or sediment) that is usually found near the bottom of the bottle.

If the label of your apple cider vinegar says it’s pasteurized or filtered, the liquid won’t contain the mother. If it says “raw,” the mother should be there.

Once you open the bottle, even if it’s the filtered variety, the mother can form over time. To get rid of it, you can run the vinegar through a coffee filter.

Now to the going bad of apple cider vinegar.

Vinegar spoilage is something that almost never happens. But, if you noticed that it changed color, there’s some sediment in the bottle (that’s not the mother), or it smells off, get rid of it. Same thing if its taste has changed.

Generally, if you think something is wrong with the liquid, it’s better to cut your losses and throw it out. Again, it’s a sporadic occurrence that vinegar spoils.