topic Re: ? On shelf life of liquid extracts in Kitchen

? On shelf life of liquid extracts

homedecor1 — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 19:42:27 GMT

finally after a 5 week wait my new fridge is being delivered !!! I'm taking things out of the freezer section & I have a good asst of liquid extracts (McCormick) which I keep in small lock n lock containers (in original boxes & bottles)I just noticed some are from 2013 -- would they still be good? I tried to find answer on Google but kept coming up for pure vanilla only. I keep that (from Mexico) in my fridge. Thanks as always I know I'll get the right answers here & hopefully won't be disappointed in getting the French door style fridge!

Re: ? On shelf life of liquid extracts

DiAnne — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 20:09:07 GMT

I don't have the answer for you but I never knew you were supposed to put extracts in the freezer or fridge. Mine have always just been in the cupboard.

Re: ? On shelf life of liquid extracts

brii — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 20:11:39 GMT

I didn't think extracts had a shelf life.

I've always kept them in the cabinet too.

Re: ? On shelf life of liquid extracts

ROMARY — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 20:44:33 GMT

I have a feeling that since they've been frozen, they are just fine. You might want to email the company and make sure you mention that the extracts have been frozen. I keep my extracts in a cool pantry, unopened. In the fridge, opened.

Re: ? On shelf life of liquid extracts

JustJules — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 20:49:52 GMT

On 2/28/2015 DiAnne said:
I don't have the answer for you but I never knew you were supposed to put extracts in the freezer or fridge. Mine have always just been in the cupboard.

Me too, always have kept my extracts in the pantry, same as my mother did. I also have a bottle of vanilla extract from Mexico and it's many years old (much older than 2013) and it still tastes and smells just fine. Since extracts have an alcohol content they have a long shelf life.

Re: ? On shelf life of liquid extracts

homedecor1 — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 20:50:13 GMT

On 2/28/2015 brii said:
I didn't think extracts had a shelf life.

I've always kept them in the cabinet too.

Oh and I checked on every bottle & box and no expiration dates, therefore, you may be right.

Re: ? On shelf life of liquid extracts

ROMARY — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 20:57:27 GMT

Yes, the alcohol content preserves just about everything, including ourselves.....(lol). Well, one never knows for sure..........Alcohol does have anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and other anti-properties. It makes sense to me, having it circulate throughout our system, warding off all kinds of bad micro-organisms. (With the explicit exception of folks who are allergic/and cannot medically and safely tolerate it (addictions, etc.), of course.)

Re: ? On shelf life of liquid extracts

Irshgrl31201 — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 21:53:54 GMT

I have a bottle of Mexican vanilla I have had for about 7 yrs and it is just as good as the day I got it. It is such a huge bottle that I haven't even used half of it. Many people say they get better with age like wine. I have a friend who has a huge bottle of Mexican vanilla and it is about 15 yrs old and she still uses it.

Re: ? On shelf life of liquid extracts

AnikaBrodie — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 20:48:24 GMT

I use vanilla, lemon, raspberry and mint extracts a lot and have always kept them in my cupboard. I make my own iced tea and often add extracts to them (especially mint or raspberry). I'll have to check but don't recall an expiration date on the bottles or an indication they should be refrigerated after opening.

Thanks for posting this topic.

Re: ? On shelf life of liquid extracts

Tigriss — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 21:08:04 GMT

It is an alcohol, so it ages very well. That is why they are in a dark bottle.

Re: ? On shelf life of liquid extracts

ROMARY — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 23:21:16 GMT

p.s. I doubt that liquid extracts have to be refrigerated. For hundreds/thousands of years, I'm guessing that just about everybody kept it on their shelves with no problem(s) at all. Just keep them in a cool, dark place. Without severe temperature fluctuations.

Re: ? On shelf life of liquid extracts

brii — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 23:24:02 GMT

I would be afraid that freezing them would cause the bottle to crack.

Maybe they wouldn't because of the alcohol content, I guess.