Should maple syrup be stored in the refrigerator?
Is there any reason to store maple syrup in the refrigerator? It tastes better when it's a little warmer.
Best Answer
I'll assume that you're talking about pure maple syrup in a glass container; if it's that adulterated pancake syrup then it's probably riddled with preservatives, so any advice here doesn't apply.
Pure maple syrup can and will grow mold on the surface if left in a cupboard. There are several reports of this happening, and although several of those people say that it's OK to simply strain the mold and re-boil the maple syrup, (a) I wouldn't chance it, and (b) that process is hardly any more convenient than simply taking it out of the refrigerator a half-hour earlier and letting it come up to room temperature.
Maple syrup should be stored in the refrigerator. It doesn't have to be, and it will probably take at least a year for it to grow any mold if left in the pantry. But it will last longer in the refrigerator; I've seen refrigerated jars 3+ years old without any mold.
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Quick Answer about "Should maple syrup be stored in the refrigerator?"
Opened syrup should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, and will last up to two years. If your container is unopened: It is okay to store unopened syrup containers in a pantry. It is best to find a cool, dry location to help your syrup last longer.Do you really need to refrigerate maple syrup?
YES. Once the container is open, maple syrup should be refrigerated. Once in contact with air, mold could develop if the product is not refrigerated. What's more, refrigeration tends to reduce evaporation which is usually followed by crystallization of the product.How long can maple syrup last unrefrigerated?
Pure maple syrup once it is bottled will keep 2 to 4 years unrefrigerated. Once the container is opened it must me refrigerated. Maple syrup, before it is opened, should be stored in a cool dark place. It can be stored in the freezer, extending the shelf life for years.Can maple syrup be stored at room temperature?
When unopened, you can store pure maple syrup for at least a year (or more) in the pantry at room temperature. Once opened, you'll need to store it in the fridge. Since it's a natural product with no preservatives, pure maple syrup can go bad.Do you have to refrigerate simple syrup after opening?
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Answer 2
Items like maple syrup, honey and jam have a very high level of sugar in them. This causes a high osmotic potential which is what preserves them.
The problem when you refrigerate these types of foods is that water can condense on the surface. This will dissolve some of the sugar underneath it and lower the concentration, and therefore the osmotic potential, around it. This can be enough to allow microorganisms to grow.
As long as you are using the maple syrup up within a sensible amount of time it will not require refrigeration.
Answer 3
https://web.archive.org/web/20160312080144/http://www.vermontpuremaple.com/maple_syrup_faq.htm
Above link states that the FREEZER is best for long term storage of pure maple syrup. It is not supposed to be able to freeze solid since it is only 33-35% water.
Answer 4
Maple can grow mold, but that doesn't mean it's trash. Pour it through a strainer into a pot to remove the chunks, then heat it to 180 degrees for 5-10 minutes (do not boil!!). Scrub and rinse the container and pour the syrup back in. This will kill anything lingering in your syrup, and also the bottle, without hopefully affecting its quality. If the syrup once cooled smells or tastes off, then its trash (not unhealthy per se, as anything icky is now dead, but who wants to eat offtasting syrup)
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