Doesn't apple juice ferment after a long period of time??

Question

Forgive me if this sounds like a stupid question...my boyfriend's Mom tends to give us alot of extra groceries when we visit (which is very nice of her). She gave us some "Juicy Juice" apple juice boxes. My boyfriend and our 3 girls already drank some. As I was getting to make thier school (and work) lunches last night..I noticed the experation date on them is July of 2004! I threw the rest of them away....isn't that bad for them?? (no one got sick or anything)

Answer 1

Usually, the date on a container is the time to use it where the manufacturer can guarantee that it's good. Beyond that, they no longer guarantee it (meaning that you'd get a refund if it was bad before that date). It doesn't mean that after that date it goes bad instantly. It can be (and generally is) good for a good long while after that. This can be true only if the original seal on the packaging remains intact and undisturbed. Juice is usually pasteurized to kill any bugs that would normally cause the juice to rot or ferment. It's not 100%, but as long as the seal is intact and no oxygen gets in, no infections or rotting should occur. Lower end, and artificial juices (cheap juice) uses preservatives which are intended to do the same thing. It's not always as effective, and, well...they're preservatives...that's just not good. Fortunately, "Juicy Juice" is among the better brands of juice, and they're pasteurized and preservative-free.

As long as the bottle wasn't bulging or pressurized (the vacuum seal "inhaled" instead of popping like a soda bottle) then it's usually safe to say that fermentation or rotting hasn't occurred. If it still smells good (not sour, putrid, moldy or yeasty) and a tiny taste doesn't burn or worse, the it's most likely safe to consume. I do speak in generalities because there's no way I could say 100%
For that reason, even though nobody got sick, you're better off having thrown it away to stay safe. If nobody got sick, then it very likely wasn't bad at all.

Time is not enough for fermentation to occur...it needs some kind of organism living in it (most commonly wild yeast) for it to occur. Vinegar is the same way...it requires a specific set of conditions in order to become vinegaer (most often *after* fermentation as it's a reaction with acetobacter bacteria and alcohol).

Hope this helps to set your mind at ease a little.

Answer 2

I would say no, apple juice is just taking any particulate out of apple cider. It does not need to be pasteurized as long as it is refrigerated. To be able to keep it on the shelves, they add a preservative.

Answer 3

Store bought apple juice is most likely to be pasturized.
But fresh apples crushed and pressed to get the juice makes the finest apple wine,, Apple Jack,, or Hard Cider.

Answer 4

It only ferments if you add yeast. Otherwise, it just turns to vinegar.