How long is pie good for in the fridge? (5 Kinds of pie)
In this brief guide, we will answer the question, ‘how long is pie good for in the fridge?’. We will talk about some common pies and how long they are good for. We will discuss the appropriate way to store pie.
How long is pie good for in the fridge?
Any kind of pie will stay good for 3-4 days in the fridge. According to FDA, pecan pie, fruit pie, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and custard pie will be of good quality for 3-4 days.
Pies taste the best when fresh. Therefore, a good plan is to prepare the dough and freeze it. When you defrost in the fridge for a day, you can prepare the filling. The filling is the one to spoil first; therefore, the fillings tell you the most about the perishability of pies.
The filling inside the pie has a high-water activity. When the pie is stored for long, the fillings lose water which moves to the crust. As the crust absorbs water, it becomes soggy and loses its texture.
Let us look at some commonly eaten pies and their respective shelf-life:
1.Fruit Pie
Fruit Pie 2-3 days in the fridge. Fruits are a highly perishable item and, they significantly lose their taste, texture, and nutritional quantity when stored. Even though fruit pies can be frozen, it is best to store them in the fridge for 2 days. Your apple pie will not be appetizing if you eat them after 2 days.
Pie with fresh fruits inside last for a shorter while; 1-2 days only. As fruits come with high-water content, they tend to spoil soon.
2.Pumpkin and Pecan Pies
Pumpkin and Pecan Pies will stay good in the fridge for 3-4 days. Pumpkin and pecan pies will stay edible in the fridge, and the freezer too. However, in the freezer, they deteriorate in quality significantly as the fillings separate and the pie crust becomes soggy.
If the pumpkin pie were baked at home or bought from a bakery, it would last for 4 days at most. However, if you have a store-bought pumpkin pie, the preservatives extend the shelf-life for about 3-4 days further.
3. Cream pie
Cream pies last for 2-3 days in the fridge. The cream is a dairy product with a short shelf life. Store-bought creams last long due to the added preservatives.
4. Chocolate cream pie
Chocolate cream pie stays good in the fridge for 3-4 days. Even though it will be safe and edible 7 days from when it was cooked, it will lose its freshness in a week.
How does the fridge help to keep away mold and fungus?
Moderate temperatures harbor bacterial growth. A hot or cold environment will hinder the reproduction of microorganisms.
Refrigeration is significant when it comes to slowing down food spoilage. However, food still spoils in a refrigerator at a slower and safer pace. The temperature of the fridge should be at least 40 degrees.
Let us talk about pies of a different category; meat pies:
Some common meat pies include steak pie and kidney pie. Fresh meat pie; stored properly in a plastic bag or container, will last for about 3-5 days.
Meat-based items are a haven for bacterial growth. Hence, it is likely to spoil sooner if it wasn’t refrigerated or handled properly.
Meat is usually attacked by Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Listeria; these microorganisms thrive slowly; if you follow the standard operating procedure.
How to store pie?
When you cover the pie, you prevent ambient microorganisms and oxygen from your food. If you leave your food uncovered, you are inviting bacteria to spoil your food.
When your food in the fridge is covered, you prevent the flavor and smell of other foods from defiling it.
Use an air-tight film to wrap the whole pie or slices; then transfer to an airtight container.
A temperature higher than 140 Fahrenheit encourages bacterial growth. Spoilage is usually a quality issue in its initial stage and does not cause illness. However, gradually the food becomes a complete hazard.
The pies are not a hazard in itself but, the fillings are a sensitive commodity. The crust usually has eggs and dairy, both of which are prone to spoilage. Therefore, keep your pie in the fridge within 2 hours of preparing them, especially if they have pecan, pumpkin, or fruit filling inside.
How to tell if pie spoils?
When pie spoils, it develops visible signs. A change in taste, smell and, texture occurs. The most obvious sign is the appearance of mold. A fungus or mold of blue-black appears, which is a sure sign that the pie has spoiled.
In this brief guide, we answered the question, ‘how long is pie good for in the fridge?’. We talked about some common pies and how long they are good for. We discussed the appropriate way to store pie.
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