Does Tabasco sauce go bad?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “Does Tabasco sauce go bad” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not Tabasco sauce can go bad. Moreover, we are going to discuss the shelf life of Tabasco sauce, ways to spot bad Tabasco sauce, and the proper way to store it.
So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.
Does Tabasco sauce go bad?
Yes, Tabasco sauce can go bad. Based on the variety, they have different shelf lives. For example, the original flavor can last for almost four to five years. To prolong the shelf life you can store it in the refrigerator.
Once the Tabasco sauce goes bad, you will feel a difference in its smell, taste as well as appearance.
How long does Tabasco sauce last?
Original tabasco sauce
Commercially bottled, store-bought original Tabasco sauce, lasts for about 5 years in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, once it gets opened and that’s quite a long shelf life.
On the other hand, an unopened bottle of original Tabasco sauce stored in a cool, dry, and dark corner of your pantry away from direct sunlight and heat lasts for about 5-10 years easily.
Flavored tabasco sauce
Commercially bottled, store-bought flavored Tabasco sauce, lasts for about 18-24 months in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, once it gets opened and that’s quite a long shelf life.
On the other hand, an unopened bottle of Tabasco sauce stored in a cool, dry, and dark corner of your pantry away from direct sunlight and heat lasts for about 18-24 months or even more easily.
It is worth mentioning that these figures are just the estimated shelf life of Tabasco sauce and Tabasco sauce can even last for more than this, provided that it was stored properly.
You can read about the uses of Tabasco sauce here.
Is Tabasco sauce safe to use after the best-before date?
The “best by” or “best before” date that is written on the bottle of Tabasco sauce refers to the quality rather than safety so Tabasco sauce doesn’t necessarily go bad immediately after the best before date. It is the time during which you can enjoy the peak quality and flavor of Tabasco but you can still use Tabasco that is past this date as long as it was stored properly and there is no leakage or mold in the bottle of Tabasco sauce.
Other FAQs about Sauces which you may be interested in.
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How to tell if Tabasco sauce has gone bad?
You should consider the appearance, smell, texture, and taste of Tabasco sauce to give a final verdict of whether or not Tabasco sauce has gone bad.
It is with mentioning here that tabasco sauce darkens with age and that is a completely normal phenomenon.
Appearance
If you spot a mold or organic growth on your Tabasco sauce, then the best thing you can do is to get rid of the sauce as it is an indication of bad Tabasco sauce but it is a really rare phenomenon. If you consume such Tabasco sauce, it can cause many foodborne illnesses including food poisoning that is characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and sometimes even fever.
Smell
If you smell something unpleasant or something that quite does not feel like the Tabasco sauce itself while taking a sniff test of Tabasco sauce then it most probably means that your sauce has gone bad and you should get rid of it. It is worth mentioning that Tabasco sauce that is past its prime age won’t smell as refreshing as the fresh Tabasco sauce.
Texture
If you notice that the texture of Tabasco sauce has become lumpy then it is an indication that Tabasco sauce is past its prime age.
Taste
You can taste a bit of Tabasco sauce to see whether or not it has gone bad. Tabasco sauce having a bland or weakened taste is the indication that your Tabasco sauce is very old.
But if you feel some unpleasant flavor in your tabasco sauce then you should immediately discard it.
How to properly store Tabasco sauce?
- Tabasco sauce loses its characteristic flavor and color when it comes in contact with oxygen or sunlight owing to the oxidation reaction. Therefore to seal the freshness of Tabasco sauce for quite a long time, you should close the lid of Tabasco sauce as soon as you are done with pouring out the quantity that you need and you should always store it away from direct sunlight.
- You can store the unopened Tabasco sauce easily in a cool, dry, and dark corner of the pantry or kitchen cabinet away from direct sunlight and heat.
- When you have opened the Tabasco sauce it is better to store it in the refrigerator at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “Does Tabasco sauce go bad” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not Tabasco sauce can go bad. Moreover, we discussed the shelf life of Tabasco sauce, ways to spot bad Tabasco sauce, and the proper way to store it.
Citations
Does Tabasco Go Bad? Do You Have to Refrigerate It?
