Fresh juice tastes better and offers more nutritional value than its pasteurized counterparts. However, it also has a shorter shelf life than most juices you’d find at a grocery store. When you make and serve fresh juice, it’s important to know how long it will last before going bad.
There’s no precise rule for how long you can store fresh juice. However, you can use these tips on extending the shelf life of fresh juice to keep your products delicious for a while longer.
Choose Your Produce Carefully
The fruits and vegetables you use play a large role in the quality of your juice and how long it lasts. Older or pre-cut produce will have already begun oxidation, which means it has a shorter lifespan than fresh, whole produce. Don’t cut or prep produce until it’s ready to juice. Likewise, keep your inventory current and always rotate produce so that you can use your fruits and vegetables as quickly as possible before they go bad.
Citric Acid Helps
Did you know that pH levels affect how long juice stays fresh? Juices from acidic fruits with a low pH level tend to last longer than those with high pH levels. That’s why one easy way to extend the shelf life of fresh juice is to use acidic ingredients.
Citrus juices, for example, have naturally long shelf lives because of the citric acid they contain. You can take advantage of this by using a professional citrus juicer to make lemon, lime, or orange juice to add to your recipes.
Use Smart Storage Methods
As with any produce, proper storage is essential to helping your fresh juice last. Storage containers should be airtight to reduce oxidation. Always keep fresh juice in the fridge. Finally, avoid opening your juice containers until they’re ready to drink or serve.
