DecodedGuides

How to store lime juice

Best place: the pantry until opened, then the fridge. Unopened, lime juice keeps for 12 to 18 months in the pantry. Once opened, the fridge gives 2 months.

Pantry

12 to 18 months

from the package date

Fridge

2 months

after opening

Freezer

No guideline

How to tell lime juice has gone bad

General signs for beverages, the group USDA lists lime juice under.

  • Fizzy drinks that have gone flat or taste metallic
  • Sour or curdled smell from opened juice or milk alternatives
  • Cloudiness or separation that will not shake back together
  • Cork pushed slightly out or wine that smells like vinegar
  • Mould ring forming at the neck of a bottle or carton

More on beverages. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.

Storage habits that make the difference

Refrigerate opened juice, milk alternatives and any dairy-based drinks, and use them within about a week. Store unopened cans and bottles upright in a cool, dark spot away from direct sunlight. Keep coffee and tea in airtight containers away from heat and moisture to preserve flavour longer.

How to store other beverages

Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.