Does Corn Syrup Go Bad?
Corn syrup, like maple syrup, can last for a really long time if it is stored correctly. Otherwise, most of it would end up being thrown out! Unfortunately though, it isn’t as resilient as honey. At some point, it will begin to perish. The best we can do is to make sure that this doesn’t happen sooner than it should. So, if you want to stop your corn syrup going bad, or maybe learn the signs that it has gone bad, you’ve come to the right place!
How Do I Store Corn Syrup?
Corn syrup is a remarkably resilient food product. I mean, the stuff is practically bulletproof! The only things it can’t abide by are too much moisture and heat. Barring that, the chances are good that it can last for way longer than you would think. So, here’s how to store it.
Unopened corn syrup
There is no great trick to storing corn syrup. Think of it the same way you would think of maple syrup or honey. It really is that easy! All you need to do is to keep it away from sources of heat. It also won’t care for sunlight too much. As such, the best places in your house for it are either the pantry or the kitchen cabinet. Apart from that, just make sure there isn’t any build-up of moisture in the storage area.
Opened corn syrup
Most of us will buy corn syrup in either a bottle or a can. Both will require the same things after they are open. They need to be resealed, and they need to be kept well clear of the elements. There is no need to refrigerate it after opening. It can pretty much take care of itself. One tip we can give you is to always use clean utensils in your golden syrup. Not doing so can transfer germs and bacteria into the syrup, aging it more rapidly. If the can or bottle is damaged in any way, simply transfer the syrup into another airtight container. This works best if you use an opaque or dark container.
Should You Refrigerate Corn Syrup?
There is absolutely no need to refrigerate golden syrup. Even if the bottle or can has been damaged, you can transfer the contents and keep it on the shelf. Golden syrup is like honey in that regard. To use fridge space for it is to just waste valuable real estate.
Can You Freeze Corn Syrup?
There is absolutely no point in freezing corn syrup to extend its shelf-life. It will have no effect. However, there is one handy use for corn syrup. If you are an athlete or are recovering from a surgery, frozen corn syrup can be useful to you. Many freeze corn syrup in freezer bags and use it as a cold compress. The syrup doesn’t fully freeze, so it can mold around the affected area. We will admit that it does sound strange, but a lot of people swear by it!
How Long Does Corn Syrup Last?
Golden syrup is practically 100% sugar. Because of this, it is pretty rare that anything can live in it. So, this means that it can be thought of in the same way we think of honey. Stored correctly, it can pretty much last forever. At least, that bottle that you’re looking at that might be a year out of date is most likely perfectly fine. Because of this, we are not really sure why golden syrup even has a sell-by date. Sure, at some point the quality will begin to degrade, but it will still most likely be fine. Lie we say, there really isn’t much that can go wrong with it. However, if you have noticed something off about your golden syrup, the section below may help.
How Do I Make Corn Syrup Last Longer?
Corn syrup is pretty much the perfect food when it comes to storage. If left in the right place and not opened, it will probably outlive all of us! The only tricks are to keep it away from elements that can cause it to fade. These are air, moisture, sunlight, and heat. Basically, if it is stored away from these elements and properly sealed, you have nothing to worry about! It is also important to always use clean utensils when extracting the syrup from a can. Dirty utensils have the chance to introduce bacteria into the syrup. Though this is rare, it can be catastrophic when it does happen.
Signs That Your Corn Syrup May Have Gone Off
We mentioned earlier that corn syrup practically never goes off. This is only true if it has been stored correctly. However, there are a few signs that will let you know that your syrup has lost some quality. The first one of these is a color change. Light corn syrup will turn yellow when this has begun to happen. Of course, this isn’t really much to be concerned about. Instead, just be aware that it will lack some punch.
On the more serious side of things, you can sometimes notice an off smell when you open the bottle or can. Sometimes, this will also come with some stray bits floating in the syrup. In either case, the best thing to do is to simply chuck it out. Well, that’s all we have on golden syrup. We hope that this little guide was helpful to you!]]>
