All About Cider vinegar
Your complete guide to cider vinegar - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Cider vinegar Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for cider vinegar in different conditions.
Safety first: This guide provides general information. When in doubt, throw it out! Trust your senses and err on the side of caution. If something smells, looks, or tastes off, don't consume it.
opened pantry2-5 years for optimal quality; indefinitely for safety
Signs of Spoilage
Formation of a 'mother of vinegar' (a gelatinous, disc-like mass), increased cloudiness, or minor sediment. These are generally harmless byproducts of acetic acid bacteria activity and not signs of spoilage in a dangerous sense, but can indicate a change in quality or strength. Rarely, a truly 'off' or putrid smell could develop, but this is highly uncommon.
How to Check
-
Visual: Check for the 'mother' or excessive cloudiness/sediment.
-
Smell: It should still have a distinct, pungent, apple-like acidic aroma. Any truly foul, rancid, or overly yeasty/alcoholic smell (beyond a mild fermentation scent) would be a rare concern.
-
Taste: If visual and smell are acceptable, a small taste can confirm quality. It should taste acidic and clean, perhaps slightly less potent over time.
Storage Tips
Always re-seal the bottle tightly after each use to minimize air exposure. Store in a cool, dark cupboard. The 'mother of vinegar' is a harmless colony of beneficial bacteria and can be strained out if desired, or even used to culture new vinegar. While refrigeration is not strictly necessary for safety, it can slow down the formation of the 'mother' and help maintain peak quality and flavor for a longer period, especially in warm or humid environments.
unopened pantryIndefinite, or years beyond best-by date
Signs of Spoilage
Extremely rare for safety concerns. May develop very fine, harmless sediment or slight cloudiness over many years, which is a quality change, not spoilage.
How to Check
Primarily visual inspection. If the bottle is sealed and it looks clear (or as expected for unfiltered varieties) and smells like vinegar upon opening, it's safe to use.
Storage Tips
Store in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. The high acidity of vinegar acts as a natural preservative, making it exceptionally shelf-stable. The 'best by' date typically refers to peak quality, not safety.