How long can I keep shrub syrup in the refrigerator
I just made shrub syrup, by cooking fruit in sugar water (~0.5-1 cup of water and ~0.5-1 cup of sugar), sieving it, and mixing vinegar into it (~3 tablespoons of 10% vinegar on 1 cup) and I'd like to know how long I can roughly keep it when storing it in the refrigerator after I filled it into clean (but used) screw cap bottles.
What I maybe should add is, that I don't intend to store the syrup for a very long duration without using it. I will open the bottles now and then to take some of it out.
I am aware of this canonical question, but since it is a mixture of various things and since I'm not that well-versed in the intricacies of food storage (or cooking in general actually), I wasn't too sure what to take from it and maybe there might be a more detailed question possible applying to this type of food.
Best Answer
While, in general, vinegar retards the growth of certain bacteria (botulism), some allow the growth of others that are harmful. You should sterilize the glass containers by first washing them in hot water and soap, and then boiling for about 10 minutes and scalding the caps in boiling water. Filled and tightly sealed, your shrub should last about 6 months in the refrigerator. Opened and used occasionally, they should last 6-8 weeks, not unlike similar condiments that are kept refrigerated. Keep in mind that, should you include fruit in your original batch, it will age and, eventually, become a fruit vinegar.
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Quick Answer about "How long can I keep shrub syrup in the refrigerator"
Place bottles on a baking tray and put in the oven for 10 minutes or until completely dry. Allow lids to air dry. Pour shrub into sterilised bottles and seal. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.How long is shrub good for?
Filled and tightly sealed in a jar, shrubs last about 6 months in the refrigerator if used sparingly. With more frequent use, similar to other condiments that are kept refrigerated, shrubs last 6-8 weeks.Do you need to refrigerate a shrub?
(Technically, a shrub doesn't need to be refrigerated; the entire point of the vinegar and sugar is to preserve the fruit juice without refrigeration. But if you have the space in your fridge, it won't hurt the shrub.)Are shrubs shelf stable?
Shrubs Have a Long Shelf Life Most drink-mix concentrates need to be refrigerated and only last a couple months once opened, so you may be hesitant to make a purchase for fear of letting it go to waste. Shrubs are unique for many reasons, and their shelf life is one of them!30 Foods You've Been Storing All Wrong
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