Many people are worried about the shelf life of certain foods because it is known that spoiled foods in some cases can make us sick. It is important to know how certain foods should be stored properly and how long they can last.
In this article we will tell you something more about olives that are known for their characteristic bitter flavor. Although olives can be pretty bitter, most people enjoy them and they add olives to many dishes. In this article we will discuss the shelf life of olives. You will learn how to store them properly and how to tell if olives have gone bad.
More about Olives
The botanical name of olive is Olea europea. Olives are native to the Mediterranean but today they are used all over the world. They can be a great addition to many dishes.
Also, olives are used for producing an olive oil that is popular worldwide. Olives are actually fruits from a small tree, but in culinary purposes olives are considered a vegetable. They have a very bitter taste and they can range from green to black color.
What is The Shelf Life of Olives?
The shelf life of olives depends mostly on how they are stored. Also, important factors are the method of preparation and the best by date. Like many other fruits, olives usually have only a best by date. They don’t have an expiration date or a use by date, so you can safely use them even beyond the best before date.
If the package of olives is unopened, it can last for a year or two beyond the best by date. Unopened cans of olives can be stored in a dry and cool place. When you open a can or a jar with olives they should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container and they will last for up to two weeks.
It is also known that olives last much longer if they are in their brine. If olives are not in their brine, they can last only a week or two. If there is no brine in the jar then the olives may dry out. If olives are purchased in bulk, they will last several months if they are steeped in oil in the fridge.
How To Store Olives Properly?
If not stored properly, olives will last for a shorter period of time. Proper storage is the most important factor when we talk about the shelf life of olives. It is important to store olives in a jar that is sealed tightly.
Otherwise, they will go bad more quickly. You can store unopened jar of olives in the pantry, but the temperature has always to be less than 75 ͦ F. When you open the jar with olives it is necessary to store it in the fridge, as we have already said. It is important that the olives are fully submerged in the liquid. You should never store opened cans in the refrigerator. It is necessary to transfer olives and their liquid into a plastic jar that is sealed tightly or in an airtight container. This way you will protect the olives from different contaminants and they will stay fresh for a long time.
How To Tell if Olives Have Gone Bad?
You will easily be able to notice if your olives have gone bad. Your sense of smell will help you in it. If the olives have gone bad, they will have an off odor and they will change in color and texture.
Also, spoiled olives may develop mold and turn soft. These are the signs that your olives are spoiled and you should throw away them immediately.
Summary
As you have seen in this article, olives should be stored properly. It means that you should store them in airtight containers in the fridge if the jar was opened. If the jar is not opened yet, you can store it in the pantry.
When you notice any sign of spoilage on your olives, you should discard them. If olives have gone bad they will be smelly and they will become darker and soft. Have in mind that spoiled foods are related to many health risks.
