Refrigerator or pantry? When it comes to condiments, you might have questions about where exactly they go. Pull out your butter keepers and honey dippers: we've got the answers.
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00:00Refrigerator or pantry?
00:02When it comes to condiments, you might have questions about where exactly they go.
00:06Pull out your butter keepers and honey dippers — we've got the answers.
00:10As for condiments that do not need to be refrigerated, the household staple vinegar is fine at room
00:15temperature.
00:16According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, unopened vinegar can be stored in a pantry
00:20or cupboard for two years, while open vinegar can be kept for one year.
00:25Many other sources, including the Vinegar Institute, argue that vinegar's shelf life
00:29is indefinite, since vinegar is so acidic it inhibits the growth of mold and bacteria.
00:34While it might change color or flavor over time, this will not make it unsafe to consume.
00:38You might notice that some types of vinegar, such as balsamic or apple cider, are sold
00:42in dark glass bottles.
00:44This is because light can cause these kinds of vinegar to deteriorate more quickly — the
00:47shelf life of balsamic, for example, is only three to five years, as opposed to the endless
00:52time frame of the plain white stuff.
00:54If your vinegar is stored in a clear bottle, you should consider transferring it to a dark
00:58container if you plan on keeping it for a long time.
01:01Since mustard has limited ingredients and is very acidic, it seems like a product that
01:05doesn't need to be refrigerated.
01:07And that's because it doesn't, really.
01:09According to Yahoo!, you don't have to refrigerate mustard for safety reasons.
01:13However, you'll still want to keep those bottles and jars in the fridge for the ideal taste
01:17experience.
01:18The McCormick Company, which sells French's mustard, notes that the flavor of Dijon or
01:22horseradish mustard will fade if not chilled, while other types simply keep longer in the
01:27cold.
01:28Dijon is made from ingredients that don't really spoil, like vinegar, mustard seed,
01:31and other spices, so this condiment won't go bad like French dressing does.
01:36While unrefrigerated mustard can last for several months past the sell-by date, the
01:40flavor will start to change and the consistency will become more watery over time.
01:44Dry, unpleasant mustard will probably go in the trash, so keeping it in the fridge will
01:48guarantee it lasts as long as possible.
01:50If you want your mustard to retain the sharp, tangy taste we all know and love, store it
01:55with these extra precautions.
01:56Mr. Simpson, it's a felony to lie to the FBI.
01:59We were sitting in Barney's car eating packets of mustard, you happy?
02:03Much like vinegar, hot sauce is extremely acidic, meaning bacteria and mold have a hard
02:07time growing in it.
02:08Given this fact, most hot sauces do not need to be refrigerated.
02:12There are many different varieties of hot sauce, but most can last for several years
02:16after opening before losing their flavor.
02:18Cholula hot sauce, for example, can be enjoyed for up to six months after being opened, while
02:23Louisiana hot sauce can last up to five years.
02:25If you're unsure whether or not your hot sauce needs to be refrigerated, check the
02:29ingredient list.
02:30If it contains vinegar, water, and salt as its main ingredients, it doesn't need to be
02:34refrigerated.
02:35However, if your hot sauce also consists of dairy products or fresh vegetables, it should
02:39be stored in the fridge.
02:41Jelly and jam are some of the most popular condiments out there, responsible for creating
02:45delicious toasts and the famous PB&J.
02:47While some types of jelly can be stored at room temperature, most people prefer to keep
02:51their preserves in the fridge, and for good reason.
02:53According to food safety specialist Nicole Richard, an open jar of jelly will develop
02:58mold more quickly if left unrefrigerated.
03:00Keep in mind that these products can still grow mold in the fridge, so you're best off
03:04using them within a reasonable time frame.
03:06As with other items, most store-bought jams and jellies can be kept outside of the refrigerator
03:10as long as the jars remain sealed.
03:12However, once you open the jar, it's best to stick it in the fridge.
03:16Honey is known as one of the only food products that doesn't spoil.
03:19Honey stored in a sealed container and kept away from sunlight can last indefinitely.
03:24Keeping your honey in the refrigerator can actually be bad for it, since the cool temperature
03:27thickens the consistency and makes it impossible to squeeze out of the bottle until it warms
03:32up again.
03:33If you notice your honey is starting to crystallize or has changed color, this doesn't necessarily
03:37mean it has gone off.
03:38You can simply place the jar of honey in a pot of hot water for a few minutes to reverse
03:42the process.
03:43The only reason you should discard honey is if it has clearly spoiled and shows a significant
03:47color change or even visible mold.
03:49This should not happen with pure honey, as the bacteria that cause food to go bad cannot
03:53survive in pure honey.
03:55However, some honey products may contain other ingredients that can indeed spoil.
03:59Be sure to check the ingredient list and store the container according to the manufacturer's
04:03instructions if it isn't pure honey.
04:05I trust that this handsome, young customer knows what he's talking about.
04:09Oh my, and I thought only bees pour on the honey.
04:13There are plenty of varieties of salad dressing, and most need to be kept in the refrigerator.
04:17Many contain dairy for added creaminess and flavor.
04:20Rance dressing, for example, contains buttermilk, while Caesar dressing traditionally contains
04:24Parmesan cheese.
04:25The U.S. Department of Agriculture lists dairy products as perishable foods that must be
04:29refrigerated for safety reasons.
04:31Therefore, if salad dressing contains any dairy product, including milk, yogurt, or
04:35cheese, it needs to be in the fridge.
04:37The USDA lumps salad dressing with mayonnaise among the products that need to be refrigerated
04:41after opening, regardless of the specific brand or type.
04:44Like mayonnaise, you can find some dairy-based salad dressing sold as shelf-stable products
04:48in the grocery store.
04:50Similarly, these need to be refrigerated after opening.
04:53Even if your salad dressing doesn't contain dairy, it probably still belongs in the refrigerator.
04:57Many salad dressings contain other perishable ingredients such as fruit and citrus that
05:01can go bad more quickly when left unrefrigerated.
05:04Unless your salad dressing only consists of vinegar and olive oil, it's best to stick
05:08it in the fridge.
05:09Like honey, olive oil is another condiment that really should be kept out of the fridge
05:13for optimal results.
05:15Storing olive oil in the fridge can cause it to solidify and form crystals.
05:18While this can be reversed by bringing the oil back up to room temperature, it will add
05:22extra steps to your cooking process and won't give you the best oil experience.
05:26If you're looking to prolong the shelf life of your olive oil, the best way to do so is
05:30by storing it in a cool, dark place.
05:32Another way to make sure your olive oil lasts as long as possible is by investing in a dark
05:36glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid.
05:38Light and oxygen are two of the main factors that cause olive oil to go bad, so storing
05:42it in a sealed container will help it last longer.
05:45Also, be sure to avoid vessels made from reactive metals such as copper or iron, as these can
05:50produce toxins that make your oil unhealthy to consume.
05:54Mayonnaise is made from an emulsion of eggs, oil, and vinegar.
05:56When you purchase mayo at the grocery store, it is not refrigerated, so you may wonder
06:00if it's necessary to put your jar in the fridge when you get home.
06:03According to Amy C. Keating, a registered dietician and nutritionist, this condiment
06:08is shelf-stable after being packaged in sterile, airtight containers.
06:11That being said, the sterile environment disappears once you open the jar.
06:15Free, sucker!
06:16Put down the mayonnaise.
06:22Although the acid in mayonnaise makes it more difficult for bacteria to grow, this condiment
06:26can still go bad when left outside of the fridge.
06:29Keeping it cool in the refrigerator slows down bacterial growth and reduces the risk
06:33of catching a bug after making a sandwich.
06:35So while you can keep your mayonnaise in the pantry after purchasing it from the grocery
06:39store, make sure to stick it in the fridge immediately after you open it.
06:43Whereas spare soy sauce packets from old takeout orders probably sit in a drawer in your kitchen,
06:47your bottle of soy sauce might be in the fridge.
06:49So where does this condiment really belong?
06:51While you're free to keep it chilled if you want, soy sauce can safely be stored in your
06:55pantry.
06:56Because this condiment is made through a fermentation process, it is able to be left at room temperature
07:00for a year without spoiling.
07:02However, it's important to note that soy sauce will change color and flavor over time, especially
07:06when exposed to oxygen and sunlight.
07:08If you notice your soy sauce has started to turn brown or taste different than usual,
07:12it's probably time to toss it.
07:14Other signs of spoiled soy sauce include white floaties, an odd smell, or a difference in
07:18texture.
07:19If you're not going to refrigerate your soy sauce, keep it in a cool, dark cabinet for
07:22the best results.
07:24There has been a long debate about where to keep ketchup.
07:27Most people seem to prefer to keep it refrigerated, and Heinz, the leading manufacturer of ketchup,
07:32recommends refrigerating it after opening for the best results.
07:35Other people, however, prefer to keep ketchup in the pantry, as do many restaurants that
07:39leave it out all day and night.
07:40Given the high acid ingredients it contains, ketchup is actually shelf-stable.
07:44Of course, many people still recommend that you keep your ketchup in the fridge.
07:47Like mustard, this condiment can dry out and separate more quickly when left on the counter.
07:52While you probably won't get sick, it can negatively affect the flavor and texture of
07:55the product.
07:56Today, leaves it up to personal preference.
07:58If you like room-temperature ketchup, then keep it on the counter.
08:01And if you like it cold, then keep it in the fridge.
08:04Just be sure to use it up as quickly as possible if you're not refrigerating it.
08:08Since nuts can go rancid over time, it's not crazy to store your peanut butter in the refrigerator.
08:13This product, however, does not need to be refrigerated.
08:15Ideally, peanut butter should be stored in a cool, dark place in an airtight container,
08:19though.
08:20Again, light and oxygen are two of the main factors that cause peanut butter to go bad,
08:24so storing it in a sealed vessel will help it last longer.
08:27Keep in mind that homemade and natural peanut butter should ideally be kept cool, since
08:30both are made without preservatives.
08:32According to the National Peanut Board, a jar of peanut butter that has not yet been
08:36opened can last for six to nine months in the pantry.
08:39Meanwhile, an open jar of peanut butter will last about two to three months before it begins
08:43to deteriorate in quality.
08:45One perk of refrigerating your peanut butter is that it can last longer, but the downside
08:48to chilling this condiment is that it becomes firm and harder to spread until it warms up
08:52again.
08:53If you're used to storing your butter in the refrigerator, you were probably shocked the
08:57first time you saw someone storing it on the counter.
09:00Most dairy products need to be refrigerated, after all.
09:02Butter, however, is the exception.
09:04According to the USDA, butter and margarine are safe to consume at room temperature.
09:08The department does recommend using it within two days, though, because the flavor can go
09:12rancid when it's left out any longer than that.
09:15According to Healthline, the safest kind of butter to leave on the counter is salted butter,
09:18because salt can ward away bacteria growth.
09:21Since light can cause butter to go rancid more quickly, be sure to invest in a butter
09:25tray with a lid to protect it from oxygen and light.
09:28You'll also want to keep it away from the stove in the coolest, darkest part of your
09:31kitchen for the best results.
09:33If you can't create these optimal conditions, or won't use up the butter in two days, it's
09:37best to keep it in the fridge for safety.
09:39You can always pull out a stick of butter and warm it up on the counter when you need
09:42it.
09:43Most people probably don't think twice about where they store maple syrup.
09:47However, you should know that unrefrigerated maple syrup will spoil much more quickly than
09:51if it's kept in the fridge.
09:52Pure maple syrup does not contain any preservatives, so it needs to be refrigerated after opening
09:57in order to prevent mold and bacteria from growing.
10:00Keeping it cool can also reduce the likelihood that some of the moisture in the container
10:04will evaporate and turn the syrup into crystals.
10:06I love syrup.
10:09Oh, I love it.
10:13Table syrup, or the fake stuff made from sugar, water, and other flavors, may contain enough
10:18preservatives to safely stay outside of the fridge, but you should always follow the manufacturer's
10:22guidelines on the back of the bottle to be safe.
10:25Given that some brands recommend refrigerating it and others indicate it's safe to keep it
10:28in the pantry, you're best off approaching each product individually.