Does jam go bad?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “does jam go bad” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not jam goes bad. Moreover, we are going to discuss ways to spot bad jams and the shelf life of different jams.
So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.
Does jam go bad?
Yes, like all other food items, jam does go bad after a certain time and develops off-smell, off-flavor, and can also have a moldy growth in it.
How to tell if the jam has gone bad?
Certain indicators tell whether or not your jam has gone bad. You can consider the appearance, consistency, smell, and taste of the jam to find out whether or not it has gone bad.
Appearance
If you see some mold or some yeast growth on your jam then the best thing you can do is to get rid of it because it is an indication that your jam has gone bad.
Consistency
If the consistency of the jam has thickened and its color becomes darker then it is the indication that your jam is past its prime age.
Smell
If you smell some off-smell like something sour, foul, or yeast-like smell then it is the indication that your jam has gone bad and you should discard it.
Taste
With time the taste of the jam becomes tarter, which is the indication that it is past its prime age.
How long does jam last?
Different types of jams have different shelf lives depending upon the ingredients that are used to make them and the processing techniques they have to go through.
Strawberry jam
Unopened strawberry jam lasts for about 6 months to 1 year past the printed best by date when stored in a cool, dry, and dark corner of your pantry away from direct sunlight and heat.
On the other hand, opened strawberry jam lasts for about a year after it is opened and is kept in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Apricot jam
Unopened apricot jam lasts for about 6 months to 1 year past the printed best by date when stored in a cool, dry, and dark corner of your pantry away from direct sunlight and heat.
On the other hand, opened apricot jam lasts for about a year after it is opened and is kept in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Peach jam
Unopened peach jam lasts for about 6 months to 1 year past the printed best by date when stored in a cool, dry, and dark corner of your pantry away from direct sunlight and heat.
On the other hand, opened peach jam lasts for about a year after it is opened and is kept in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Blackberry jam
Unopened blackberry jam lasts for about 6 months to 1 year past the printed best by date when stored in a cool, dry, and dark corner of your pantry away from direct sunlight and heat.
On the other hand, opened blackberry jam lasts for about a year after it is opened and is kept in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Homemade jam
Homemade jam lasts for about 6 months and is kept in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. But it is recommended to use it within a month or two to enjoy the best quality of the jam.
Low sugar jam
Unopened low sugar jam lasts for about 9months to 1 year past the printed best by date when stored in a cool, dry and dark corner of your pantry away from direct sunlight and heat.
On the other hand, opened low sugar jam lasts for about 8-9 months after it is opened and is kept in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sugar-free jam
Unopened sugar-free jam lasts for about 6-9 months past the printed date when stored in a cool, dry, and dark corner of your pantry away from direct sunlight and heat.
On the other hand, opened sugar free jam lasts for about 6-9 months after it is opened and is kept in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Smucker’s fruit jam
Unopened Smucker’s jam lasts for about 6-9 months past the printed date when stored in a cool, dry, and dark corner of your pantry away from direct sunlight and heat.
On the other hand, opened Smucker’s fruit jam lasts for about 9 months after it is opened and is kept in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Smucker’s sugar-free jam
Unopened Smucker’s sugar-free jam lasts for about 6-9 months past the printed date when stored in a cool, dry, and dark corner of your pantry away from direct sunlight and heat.
On the other hand, opened Smucker’s sugar-free jam lasts for about 9 months after it is opened and is kept in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Welch’s grape jelly
Unopened Welch’s grape jam lasts for about 1-2 years past the printed date when stored in a cool, dry, and dark corner of your pantry away from direct sunlight and heat.
On the other hand, opened Welch’s grape jam lasts for about a year after it is opened; it is kept in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is worth mentioning that these are the estimated shelf lives of the jam.
Is jam safe to consume after the best-before date?
The “best by” or “best before” date that is written on the bottle of jam refers to more of quality rather than safety so jam doesn’t necessarily go bad immediately after the “best before” date.
This date refers to the time during which you can enjoy the peak quality and flavor of jam but you can still consume jam that is past this date as long as it was stored properly.
Other FAQs about Jam that you may be interested in.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “does jam go bad” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not jam goes bad. Moreover, we discussed ways to spot bad jams and the shelf life of different jams.
