How long can fruit macerate in the fridge?
I have begun to macerate pitted cherries in sugar and lemon juice. Due to some issues, I've had to leave them macerating for 2 days before I cook & can them for jam.
Will the macerated fruit be safe & flavorful given it has been 2 days?
Best Answer
It depends on how ripe the cherries were before maceration but, generally speaking, they should be safe to eat!
From William Sonoma:
Because sugar is a natural preservative, macerating is a great method for extending the life of berries that are less than perfect in appearance or just past their prime. Fruit prepared this way can last for up to three or four days covered in the fridge.
and from Serious Eats:
When it comes to prepping in advance for a dish, time is on your side. If you're dealing with fresh fruits, you can usually start macerating up to 48 hours in advance of serving. Dried fruit maceration can be done up to a few weeks in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator. In either case, alcohols with higher percentages (bourbon as opposed to red wine, for example) will help preserve your precious fruits and berries from spoiling.
When in doubt, I use the good ol' sniff test and err on the side of caution. No cherries are worth getting sick over, in my opinion :)
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Quick Answer about "How long can fruit macerate in the fridge?"
Because sugar is a natural preservative, macerating is a great method for extending the life of berries that are less than perfect in appearance or just past their prime. Fruit prepared this way can last for up to three or four days covered in the fridge.How long will macerated strawberries last in the fridge?
You can macerate strawberries in the refrigerator anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight. They will keep in the fridge for 2 or 3 days.Should macerating fruit be refrigerated?
Dried fruit maceration can be done up to a few weeks in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator. In either case, alcohols with higher percentages (bourbon as opposed to red wine, for example) will help preserve your precious fruits and berries from spoiling.How far in advance can you macerate strawberries?
Cook's Notes. Macerated strawberries can be refrigerated, covered, up to 1 day.What happens when you leave fruit in sugar?
Sugar is hygroscopic, meaning that it attracts and bonds with water. When you macerate with sugar, the water in the fruit is drawn out into the surrounding sugar. As water leaves the fruit, its cells lose volume, reducing the internal pressure on the fruit's cell walls, which then relax, causing the fruit to soften.How long can you store various types of Fruits in the refrigerator or freezer before it goes bad?
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