How long does pressed juice last? Cold pressed juice has taken America by storm. Back in the 1980’s only hippies drank juice. Now everyone and their mother loves to visit their local juice bar for a health supportive fix.
In this blog post we will go over how long pressed juice lasts, the difference between pressed, cold pressed and cold pasteurized juice. Which one is healthier and how long does each kind of juice last and why.
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What is Cold Pressed Juice?
Cold-pressed juice is made using a hydraulic press that extracts juice from fruits and vegetables. A press juicer uses tons of pressure to literally push the water out of the produce without using heat or a blade.
This helps preserve the natural enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that are present in the fruits and vegetables.
The most common and oldest press juicer is the Norwalk Juicer. The benefit of cold pressed juice is that it does not cut the cell membrane of the produce so that the juice doesn’t oxidize as fast.
Pressed juices are usually made by juice bars because pressing juice is incredibly labor intensive and it’s a slow process.
However there is a new wave of juicers on the market that allow you to make cold pressed juice at home.
Some of these juicers include models by brands Huram, Omega and Nama. Cold pressed juicers can be purchased in the United States on Amazon or your local big box store like Costco, Target, Kroger, Walmart or K-Mart.
Cold Pressed Juice vs. HPP (High Pressure Processed)
Cold pressed juice is not the same as HPP or high pressure processed juice. Lot’s of juice companies use HPP to preserve their juice and write “cold pasteurize” on the bottles.
This is done to fool you the customer into thinking that you are buying cold pressed juice when in fact you are not!
Companies that do this charge up to 11 dollars for a single bottle. This price doesn’t reflect the quality of true raw cold pressed juice.
True cold pressed juice is simply made by pressing the water out of produce. HPP juice is regular juice that has been pushed through a hyperbaric chamber that uses pressure to kill bacteria and enzymes that spoil juice. This is why HPP juice lasts for 60 days.
The same process that kills microorganisms also kills the nutrients in juice. So juice that says it has been cold pasteurized is not raw.
Any time you see HPP (cold pressed) juice in Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods or other grocery stores know that it is not cold pressed and raw. It’s pasteurized and not worth your money.
How Long Can Fresh Pressed Juice Last in the Fridge?
True cold pressed juice will last in the fridge for up to five days. Truth be told I’ve drank cold pressed juice on day 6 without getting sick. Look for signs of food spoilage and use your own judgement.
As a responsible food blogger and chef I cannot advise eating spoiled food. So my politically correct answer is that pressed juice lasts for five days.
But I know that cold pressed juice is expensive and if it isn’t spoiled you’re going to want to drink it.
How Do You Know If Cold-Pressed Juice Has Gone Bad?
Let’s look at some of the signs that juice has gone bad:
- Juice will turn brown in color.
- Juice will start to separate. The dark green will sink to the bottom and light greens will float to the top.
- Fermentation is a sign. If your juice is fizzy or has bubbles in it this is a sign it is starting to ferment.
- Puffy bottle, if the bottle looks ballooned then that means gas has formed in the container and pathogens are multiplying.
- Vinegar taste. If juice tastes sour it’s time to dump it.
- Rancid smell. If the juice doesn’t smell right it isn’t right.
How Long Does Raw Pressed Juice Last?
As explained above raw pressed juice will last for up to 5 days. Always refer to the signs of spoilage I listed above to make sure you aren’t drinking spoiled juice. Drinking spoiled pressed juice can lead to food borne illnesses like food poisoning.
How Long Does Cold Pasteurized Pressed Juice Last (HHP or High Pressure Processed)?
Technically juice that has been high pressure processed, HHP or cold pasteurized is pasteurized just like traditional tropicana. These juices will last for 30 to 60 days in the fridge if left unopened.
How Long Does Pressed Juice Last Unopened?
Unopened pressed juice will last for up to five days as long as it is stored in a cold environment like the fridge. Frozen juice will last for up to 6 months.
But I don’t recommend freezing cold pressed juice for more than 4 months.
How Long Does Pressed Juice Lasted After It’s Been Opened?
Pressed juice will spoil faster after it has been opened. In my experience after the juice has been opened and exposed to air and saliva it will only stay fresh for 1 day.
Once you open your pressed juice it’s in your best interest to finish it. Remember, the fresher juice is the better it tastes and the more nutritious it is.
How Long Does Pressed Juice Last in the Freezer?
Pressed juice will last for up to 6 months in the freezer! Just make sure to pour an inch of juice out of the container before you freeze it to allow for expansion.
If not the juice bottles will explode in the fridge. Trust me I’ve learned this from experience.
How Can I Increase the Shelf Life of Pressed Juice?
I mean the truth is you can’t really increase the shelf life of pressed juice. Pressed juice is highly unstable due to the fact that it’s raw.
No matter what it’s going to spoil fast. But alas, here are a few tips to make juice last a little longer.
- Add lemon or lime juice. Juices with a more acidic PH balance last longer. Citrus is a natural preservative.
- Mix vinegar into the juice. I don’t think this will taste too good but vinegar is a natural preservative. This is why hot sauce made with vinegar will last in the fridge for up to 1 month.
- Freeze it. Freezing juice will help make it last for up to 6 months.
What Are the Advantages of Pressed Juice?
- The benefit of cold pressed juice is that it does not cut the cell membrane of the produce so that the juice doesn’t oxidize as fast.
- There is less wasted produce compared to other juicers.
- Pressed juice lasts for up to 5 days vs. centrifugal juicers that last only 24 hours.
- Nutrients and live enzymes stay alive longer.
Can I Drink Cold Pressed Juice After Five Days?
As discussed above it isn’t advisable to drink juice after five days. However if you don’t see any signs of spoilage and the juice tastes OK. You can probably get away with drinking it on day 6. I can’t lie to you, I’ve drank pressed juice after the 5th day and I lived to tell the tail.
Does Squeezed Juice Expire?
Squeezed juice expires. When it expires depends on how it was processed.
- Cold pressed juice expires 5 days after it is made.
- Centrifugal juice expires 24 hours after being juiced.
- HHP or cold pasteurized juice spoils 30-60 days after being juiced.
- The maximum shelf life of pasteurized juice is 6 months.
Can You Freeze Vegetable Juice?
Absolutely, you can freeze vegetable juice! It’s a great way to preserve the juice and ensure that it lasts longer. Freezing vegetable juice can be a convenient option if you don’t have time to make fresh juice every day or if you want to stock up on your favorite juice.
While most vegetable juices freeze well, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind. Vegetables with high water content like cucumbers, lettuce, and celery may become mushy or separate when thawed.
Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale contain enzymes that can cause the juice to spoil or become bitter when frozen.
To freeze vegetable juice, simply pour it into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Label the container with the date of freezing, and store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy the juice, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and give it a good shake or stir before drinking.
Read the post linked above to learn more about the best containers and methods for freezing vegetable juice.
How Long Does Fresh Juice Last in a Mason Jar?
Homemade juice will last up to 48 hours in the fridge if it’s stored properly in a mason jar with a lid with a rubber stopper on the bottom that creates a vacuum seal.
When is the Best Time to Drink Juice?
There’s no magical time of day to drink juice. You won’t get any more benefit from drinking it at 6AM then you will from taking a swig at 9AM. The best time to drink juice is on an empty stomach. Which depends on your schedule and eating habits.
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