When to refrigerate bottled sauces?
When the bottle doesn't say, how does one know when to refrigerate sauces?
For example: soy sauce, fish sauce, etc.
Best Answer
I usually assume that if the bottle doesn't specify (and you bought it off a shelf, not out of a refrigerated area), then it's safe to store in the cupboard. You can also ask at the store if you want to be sure, though I suspect unless it's a small, specialty store with knowledgeable personnel, they will err on the side of caution and just tell you to refrigerate it.
For your specific examples: Soy sauce is definitely fine to store in the cupboard, though some brands will recommend refrigeration for "best quality". Fish sauce I'd usually store in the fridge once opened.
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Quick Answer about "When to refrigerate bottled sauces?"
As a rule of thumb, sauces that contain any trace of fruit, vegetable or cream should definitely be refrigerated after opening. If you are unsure, it is always a good idea to check the bottle itself and see if there are any recommendations.Do bottled sauces need to be refrigerated?
Fermented sauces like these are so high in salt content they're nearly impervious to spoiling. You don't need to refrigerate them and they should maintain a stable flavor profile for up to a year. Even after that, they are typically safe to eat (though they may taste stale or off).When should you refrigerate sauce?
Refrigeration doesn't change the flavor of a hot sauce, it just keeps that flavor from degrading over time. So, to keep your hot sauce tasting like it did when it was first opened for months on end, you'll want to refrigerate.Do unopened condiments need to be refrigerated?
Condiments are shelf-stable foods and can be stored unopened in the pantry for long periods of time. Optimal storage is in a dry, cool area below 85 degrees Fahrenheit, or in the fridge (if the condiment should be refrigerated after being opened) with a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.Do you have to refrigerate condiments after opening?
\u201cCondiments that must be refrigerated after opening have specific characteristics that make them more susceptible to bacterial growth when they're left out at room temperature,\u201d said Katie Heil, a certified professional in food safety and senior editor at StateFoodSafety.Should you refrigerate hot sauce?
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Answer 2
funny -- until you mentioned this, i never realized my own hypocrisy: i store soy sauce in the fridge, but fish sauce in the cupboard. i now realize that i should probably choose a side and stick with it, haha. both are so high in salt, it's probably fine to store them in the cupboard, but it certainly wouldn't hurt them to keep them in the fridge.
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