How long can you keep a smoothie in the fridge? (+3 Tips)
In this article, we will answer the question, “How long can you keep a smoothie in the fridge?”, and How to tell if a smoothie has gone bad?
How long can you keep a smoothie in the fridge?
Typically, a smoothie can last for 1-2 days in the refrigerator. This question is not as simple as it sounds, because of the different ingredients that are involved in making those smoothies.
Just like an apple and banana do not take the same time to go bad, a smoothie containing an apple and another containing a banana will not take the same time to go bad.
We will talk about different kinds of smoothies and the signs of spoilage so you can decide for yourself if you can or cannot consume a certain smoothie. Read on for a more detailed analysis.
Smoothies with frozen ingredients
Smoothies that contain frozen ingredients in their recipe will definitely last a little bit longer than those with fresh fruits. This is because freezing is a preservation technique that prolongs the shelf life of the product.
Keeping such a smoothie in the fridge will also result in a change in consistency and flavor as the frozen ingredients melt. So if you don’t have a problem with that, you are free to store them in the refrigerator.
Smoothies with bananas and other fruits
Now, this is where it can get tricky. As for homemade smoothies, you already know which fruit you used and how old was that fruit. Unfortunately, you can not tell if the store-bought fresh fruit smoothies did actually contain “Fresh” fruits in them.
If you’re thinking about putting such a smoothie in the fridge, you can not be sure that it will last for 2 days. This is where you need to know the signs of spoilage so you do not fall victim to their cheap selling tactics.
Most fruit juices are prone to oxidation, so when you make them a part of your smoothie, you need to be cautious about the oxidation process. Storing these smoothies in an airtight container is the best practice to stop the oxidation process.
You might have seen bananas and apples going dark in color when exposed to environmental air. This is due to the oxidation process that you need to stop when you store your smoothie in the fridge.
Can you freeze smoothies?
Yes, you can absolutely freeze smoothies. Smoothies are excellent drinks packed with nutrients and rich flavors. When freezing smoothies, you need to make sure that you put them in airtight containers so they are not prone to oxidation.
Another way to freeze smoothies is by freezing the individual ingredients. You can then mix them up and make a smoothie whenever needed.
Similarly, when it comes to thawing smoothies, you can leave them in the fridge and wait for them to get the texture of your choice. It is not a good idea to put smoothies on the kitchen shelf for thawing!
How to tell if a smoothie has gone bad?
There are certain key indicators that you need to keep in mind when deciding whether a smoothie is bad or not.
- Color: A change in color is a definite sign that your smoothie has undergone oxidation and it is no longer safe to drink. A color that is usually observed is brown. However, there are a few exceptions.
For example, when bananas turn brown, they become actually sweeter and add more flavor. So you need to know what kind of smoothie you are dealing with.
- Smell: Smoothies usually have a sweet smell. If you notice any bad odor or any pungent smell, it means that the contents of the smoothie are no longer in their original state and the smoothie has gone bad.
- Taste: Last, but most important. This is the litmus test for checking the freshness of a smoothie. If your smoothie does not taste the same as it was when you made it/purchased it, chances are that it has gone bad.
There is a stage even before this where you will experience a bland or stale taste just when it has started to go bad My advice? Just throw it away and don’t take any chances.
Conclusion
In this article, we will answer the question, “How long can you keep a smoothie in the fridge?”, and How to tell if a smoothie has gone bad?
References
https://www.rawblend.com.au/how-long-will-my-smoothie-last-for-in-the-fridge/
https://www.elizabethrider.com/how-to-save-a-smoothie-for-later/
