Does oyster sauce go bad?
In this brief guide, we will address the question, “does oyster sauce go bad” as well as other related questions pertaining to the subject at hand like how much time does oyster sauce take to go bad or what are some of the storage practices needed to prolong the shelf life of oyster sauce.
Does oyster sauce go bad?
Oyster sauce does go bad depending upon its preparation technique and storage conditions. It gradually loses its organoleptic properties such as colour, flavour and odour by the course of time.
Items like oyster sauce are used in small amounts while cooking; therefore, such questions are very common, and people often wonder if it goes bad or not. Well, you have your answer now.
Just like other Chinese sauces, oyster sauce also has high sodium content. Sodium is a natural preservative that does not allow the growth of microorganisms. Therefore, oyster sauce often lasts longer than its expiry date if stored properly.
It will also retain its freshness and flavour after the expiry date for a good period of time before it starts to lose its efficacy and flavour. Keep in mind that it is still safe to consume. The only change you’re going to experience is a darker color and stronger aroma due to the oxidation process.
The shelf life of oyster sauce
Oyster sauce doesn’t last forever, its quality degrades over time. As it is one the condiments used rarely or in small quantity in food products or even required by fewer recipes. The shelf life of oyster sauce depends upon its storage conditions. Oyster sauce can last long up from 8 months to 12 months or even more if stored at ideal storage conditions. The shelf life of oyster sauce can be prolonged if placed at the dark and dry area away from heat or light source.
Packaging material or container in which it is placed also matters in prolonging the shelf life. Not only oyster sauce, anything can go bad if not stored appropriately. Oyster sauce that has been continuously refrigerated will generally stay at best quality for about 2 years.
3 signs to tell if oyster sauce is rotten or spoiled
Oyster sauce is a mixture of caramelized oyster juices, salt, sugar, and is thickened with cornstarch. It can only go bad if proper hygiene and safety measures are not ensured. So, here we are discussing different ways and signs that help you to identify the expiration of oyster sauce:
- Colour and Flavor: Oyster sauce has brown colour and salty flavour with a tint of caramel sweet which might get darker and tastes bitter by the age due to the process of oxidation, throw the bottle in the trash.
- Smell: Oyster sauce should have a fresh, tantalizing aroma, if it smells putrid or moldy, throw it away.
- Mold: if you observe microbial spoilage, mould growth on the surface. Discard the bottle and buy a new one for your recipe.
How to store the oyster sauce
Oyster sauce has low or controlled water activity which means water is very well bound to salt and other molecules, lessens the possibilities of microbial spoilage. Therefore, oyster sauce can be stored at room temperature. But once opened it should be stored at refrigeration temperature. Oyster sauce is prone to oxidative degradation therefore, it is advised to store it in an airtight jar with proper sealing. Oyster sauce should be stored away from light, in a dark and dry area to avoid photolytic degradation.
Why Refrigerate oyster sauce
Like already mentioned, oyster sauce contains a huge amount of sodium that naturally prevents it from going bad. However, once it is opened it is recommended to store it at refrigeration temperature after sealing it tightly to enhance its shelf life by preventing oxidative degradation of compounds.
Storing it in the refrigerator is an ideal storage condition when optimal results are desired.
Summary
After all that we have discussed, it is safe to say that oyster sauce can go bad. I mean, any food item will go bad if you are not storing it properly. In the case of oyster sauce, the chances are highly unlikely because there is no special method involved.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have addressed the question, “does oyster sauce go bad” as well as other related questions pertaining to the subject at hand like how much time does oyster sauce take to go bad or what are some of the storage practices needed to prolong the shelf life of oyster sauce.
References
https://www.doesitgobad.com/does-oyster-sauce-go-bad/
