Vinegar: it goes in salad dressings, it goes in pickling, it goes in cleaning solutions. It can flavor your salsa, it can keep you healthy, and it can clean your bathroom, but does vinegar expire? I've never really been sure, as vinegar has always been present in my pantry. I'm so used to it always being there that I thought it was this magical item that lasted for eternity. After some research, this is what I found out about vinegar's shelf life.
First, What is Vinegar?
Vinegar is a "sour wine." It is made from fruit that is fermented, and then yeast and this thing called "acetobacter" are added to turn the alcohol portion into an acid. This creates vinegar that is either kept as is or turned into one of the million types of vinegar that we use.
Does Vinegar Expire?
Apparently not! According to the Vinegar Institute, vinegar's acidity makes it this amazing, magical item that basically never goes bad. The acidic properties of vinegar make it "self preserving." Thus, that same acidic property is why we use vinegar for canning. Vinegar also does not need to be refrigerated because of its high acidic level.
What If My Vinegar Looks Different?
The Vinegar Institute says that the shelf life is indefinite, however, there may be some changes in the looks of your vinegar. There may be some color changes or the development of a sediment, but this is a okay. These changes do not make your vinegar bad or expired. They are solely changes in the looks of your vinegar and you are still able to use the vinegar in any capacity that you plan on using it.
Does vinegar expire? As we have found out, it does not. The high acidity level keeps your vinegar as good as new for the ages to come. You will never have to worry about it spoiling, and you can use it time and time again. Check out these 40 uses for vinegar, but I can assure you there are a lot more than 40 ways to use it.