Hot Sauce is a widely used food product that can be found at restaurants, kitchen tables, and in personal collections all over the world. Many consumers swear by using hot sauce with every kind of food in order to add flavor and some spice to their dish. While hot sauce is a very general term given that there is a lot of diversity within this one product, there are certain underlying characteristics and ingredients that make this topping unique. While others are hot sauce fanatics and swear by buying many bottles of it for their own personal collection, other consumers are less keen on using it at all and find the love for the product to be kind of odd. In whichever category you fall into, you can’t deny that it’s good to add a little spice to any otherwise bland and unappetizing plate of food. If you see a big sale on hot sauce bottles at your local market, should you go ahead and buy them in bulk? If you’re a big fan of the product and want to save some time and money, why wouldn’t you? However, will you be able to store the bottles of hot sauce successfully so that they’re going to last a while for usage? The ultimate question remains; does hot sauce go bad?
Does Hot Sauce Go Bad?
Unfortunately, hot sauce can and will go bad at some point. However, this could happen about a couple of years after your initial purchase if you choose to store the hot sauce bottles in the correct manner. Each brand and type of hot sauce is different which means how long they can possibly last depends upon their individual ingredients. If your hot sauce has ingredients like chili pepper and vinegar, then you’ll be in good shape because those two ingredients are preservatives, which will help your hot sauce to last longer than usual.
These preservatives help to prevent mold from forming and also prevent bacteria from spreading through the hot sauce. If your hot sauce does not have either of these preservatives in them, it’s likely that they will not last very long and will go bad quicker than other types. Bottles of hot sauce often come with a “use by” or “best before” date. These dates don’t really mean that your hot sauce will go bad after that date but the quality of the contents will start to decline after that specific date passes. The “use by” date is more of a warning rather than a strict guideline as to what to do with your hot sauce.
Storing The Hot Sauce
One of the good things about hot sauce is that you can store the product mostly anywhere. This is due to the fact that most hot sauces have the two key preservatives of vinegar and chili pepper, which help with maintaining their quality. However, it’s best to make sure that you store the hot sauce at room temperature or refrigerate the product if it lists that “refrigerate after opening” instruction on the bottle. Make sure to tightly seal the hot sauce bottle after first opening and make sure that the cap or cork is not broken. If the cap or cork is tainted or broken, mold or bacteria will start to form within the bottle so make sure that you seal it tightly and make sure the seal is working. Hot sauce can be either refrigerated or left at room temperature but it is also recommended to keep it away from water, sunlight, and excessive heat and humidity.
Shelf Life of Hot Sauce
Depending upon if your bottle of hot sauce is opened or unopened, its’ shelf life will be slightly different. If your hot sauce is unopened, has preservatives such as vinegar and chili pepper among the contents, and has been stored properly, it can last for five years or more. An opened bottle of hot sauce that has been stored properly can last to up to three years total. However, it’s worth noting that the quality of the hot sauce will start to decline over time after the bottle has been opened. The most important thing to do when it comes to extending the shelf life of your hot sauce is to seal the bottle tightly and store it in a cool, dark place away from potential exposure to outside elements. You’ll also want to make sure that your bottle contains the necessary preservatives in its contents so that it can actually last for years. Without vinegar or chili pepper, the hot sauce could go bad within weeks or months after initial purchase.
Check out how to make homemade hot sauce:
Signs of Bad Hot Sauce
There are a couple of signs to look out for when it comes to figuring out if your hot sauce has gone bad or not. You want to make sure that the ingredients stick together and don’t separate from each other. You should also check for any discoloration that can occur due to changes with the chili peppers, which will become darker in appearance. Always make sure to look for any formation of bacteria, mold, or clumps of liquid that form within the bottle. The seal or cap for the bottle should be checked regularly to make sure it hasn’t been tampered with, broken, or ruptured in any way.
If you’re still not convinced of the overall quality of the hot sauce, it would be a good idea to smell the contents to see if there is an off or pungent odor that may have developed recently. You could also pour a small spoonful of the hot sauce and taste the product to see if it still has its’ original flavor or not. A small taste test won’t make you sick and its’ the most surefire way to tell whether or not the hot sauce has gone bad on you.
Conclusion
If the hot sauce fails the color, smell, and taste test, you should deposit it in the trash immediately. A regular bottle of hot sauce will only cost a couple of dollars at the local supermarket so replacing the product won’t cost you that much money. When it comes to hot sauce, it’s better safe than sorry. Remember to use the proper steps and precautions in order to ensure that your hot sauce will stay good for years to come.
References:
http://www.pepperscale.com/does-hot-sauce-go-bad/
http://www.tabasco.com/mcilhenny-company/faqs-archives/#shelf-life
