Do you want to know how long cold pressed juice will last in your fridge? Find out the answer as well as how you can maintain its shelf life by following this blog post.
A cold-pressed juice, by definition, is "a product with a short shelf life". The key word here is short — it doesn't mean that it'll spoil in an hour or two. It just means that its shelf life is shorter than that of pasteurized juice.
When it comes to cold-pressed juices, you either love them or hate them. There's no middle ground here. Those of us who have fallen in love with the taste and health benefits refer to it as a "drink of the gods". Others call it gross, weird and unappetizing.
Why is it that you either love or hate the taste of cold-pressed juice?
The answer lies in how it is made: a cold-pressed juice' flavor is largely influenced by how the fruit or vegetable was farmed. Most likely the fruit was picked under ripe so that it can be packaged and sold at its freshest state. After harvesting, most fruits are picked up by a distributor who then takes care of sorting, washing, peeling and chopping them before they are pressed.
Theresa's Kitchen Tip: Your cold-pressed juices will last for about two weeks in the refrigerator. To be on the safe side, make a double batch. That way you'll have one to go through quickly, which means you won't run out of juice during your busy weekdays. For more information on how to properly store and consume cold-pressed juices, feel free to check out our Ripe or Raw? article.
One of the reasons cold-pressed juice has a shorter shelf life is because it is unpasteurized and unadulterated. There's nothing added to the juice that would speed up its shelf life. Its packaging and preservation are also much simpler.
Cold-pressed juices will last for about two weeks in your refrigerator before they go bad. There's really no way around this if you want to preserve its goodness as well as its taste and nutrients.
We've put together some tips and tricks that will help you maintain the goodness and preserve its shelf life.
A version of this article was previously published on our sister site, LivWell.com, and is republished with their permission. You can find their original article here.
Common Questions about Cold-Pressed Juices
Q: What is the shelf life of cold-pressed juice?
A: The shelf life of a cold-pressed juice is shorter than that of pasteurized juices. It is typically good for two weeks in the refrigerator. Beyond that, you should seek out a raw, unadulterated juice. Otherwise, it will no longer be as nutritious or delicious.
Q: Why do cold-pressed juices spoil quicker than pasteurized juices?
A: Cold-pressed juices contain a lot of living enzymes and nutrients. Although these will help you digest and assimilate the food and the nutrients it contains, they also speed up the spoiling process. You can slow down this process by storing them in glass jars or BPA-free containers and keeping them in the fridge or freezer.
Q: What are the precautions I need to take when storing cold-pressed juices?
A: The first thing to do is put them in a glass jar or BPA-free container. This prevents them from leaking. Another must is to keep them in the fridge (or freezer) because they generally don't last long in there. Lastly, make sure you use a sharp knife when peeling or chopping the fruits or vegetables so that they'll look their best and ripen slower.
Q: What other tips and tricks can I use to keep my cold-pressed juices fresh?
A: Here are some other things you can do to make sure you get the most out of your cold-pressed juice: Use a sharp knife for peeling and chopping so that you minimize oxidation.
Store them in glass jars or BPA-free containers.
Put them in the fridge 2 hours after they have been made or 12 hours before consumption.
Consume them within 2 days of preparation.
How You Can Preserve the Nutrients in Your Cold-Pressed Juice For Longer
It is best to store your cold-pressed juice in glass jars or BPA-free containers because this way, it would prevent it from leaking. This is important because when cold-pressed juices go bad, they are likely to leak and oxidize. As you know, oxidation changes the texture of the liquid as well as its taste and aroma.
Another thing to consider when storing your juices is how you will seal the container.
There are several ways to do it:
You can use a lid with a gasket that would ensure that your cold-pressed juices are kept fresh and exactly how they were when they were made. The only drawback is that they may not fit on all types of bottles.
That said, if you're using glass containers, make sure that you let the juice cool down before you transfer it into these jars. Otherwise, you might end up with a broken glass jar.
A spoon can always come in handy. Make sure you use one that has been cleaned and sterilized so that it won't contaminate the juice.
It is best to store cold-pressed juices in the fridge if you want them to last longer. This is because cold temperatures slow down the spoiling process of food, which means less oxidation and better taste and aroma retention. You can also store your cold pressed juices in the freezer for even longer shelf life.
We've talked about how to store your cold-pressed juices, but how do you drink them without making a mess?
Here are some tips that'll help you keep your clothing and kitchen clean:
Put the top on the container. (Not all containers come with a lid.) If they don't, then use a lid or a piece of cloth. By doing this, you'll avoid splashes and spills.
Make sure everything you need is within reach before you start drinking. This will help you prevent spills.
Make sure you clean your clothing and kitchen before you start drinking so that it is always sanitary. This way, you'll avoid spills and splashes.
How to Prevent Your Cold-Pressed Juice from Spiking Your Blood Sugar Levels
Consuming cold-pressed juices with a meal can spike your blood sugar levels because the fruit or vegetables are not digested by the time the juice has cooled down.
Read more: Healthiest vegetables for juicing