Quick Answer
Bragg’s liquid aminos has a shelf life of about 3 years unopened and about 6 months once opened if stored properly. The key is keeping it in a cool, dark place and tightly sealing the bottle after each use. Bragg’s liquid aminos contains natural ingredients that can go bad over time without proper storage. Following the recommended storage guidelines will help maintain quality and freshness.
How Long Does Unopened Bragg’s Liquid Aminos Last?
An unopened bottle of Bragg’s liquid aminos will typically last about 3 years past the printed “best by” date on the bottle when stored properly.
Here are some guidelines for maximizing the shelf life of unopened Bragg’s liquid aminos:
- Store in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cupboard away from direct sunlight and sources of heat.
- Make sure the bottle remains sealed and the cap stays tightly closed until first use.
- Check the date code or “best by” date printed on the bottle to get an idea of when it was produced.
- Write the purchase or received date on the bottle with permanent marker to keep track of when you got it.
- Use unopened bottles of Bragg’s liquid aminos within about 3 years of the printed date for best quality.
The vitamins, minerals, and amino acids in Bragg’s can degrade in quality over time with prolonged storage, exposure to heat and light. Keeping an unopened bottle stored properly will help extend its shelf life. But expect some change in color and flavor after about 3 years past the printed date on the bottle.
How to Tell if Unopened Bragg’s Has Gone Bad
Even if stored correctly, opened Bragg’s liquid aminos will eventually go bad once it’s old enough. Here are signs that an unopened bottle of Bragg’s has spoiled and should be discarded:
- Discoloration – Liquid becomes darker in color, cloudy, or opaque.
- Sediment – Particles, flakes, or gritty bits appear floating or settled on the bottom.
- Off smells – Strong medicinal, bitter, unpleasant odors.
- Off tastes – Bitter, sour, or unpleasant flavors.
- Bottle bloating – Bottle looks bloated or misshapen from gas production.
- Mold – Fuzzy growth anywhere in the bottle.
A bottle of Bragg’s liquid aminos that’s unopened but more than 4-5 years old should be inspected closely before use. Look for changes in appearance, smell, and taste compared to a fresh bottle. Any signs of spoilage mean it should be tossed out.
How Long Does Opened Bragg’s Liquid Aminos Last?
Once opened, Bragg’s liquid aminos will last about 6 months with proper storage before the quality starts to decline. Here are some tips for maximizing the shelf life after opening:
- Keep bottle tightly sealed between uses.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from light and heat.
- Do not store in the fridge.
- Use a clean spoon each time to avoid introducing bacteria.
- Write the date opened on the bottle.
- Use within 6 months for optimum freshness and flavor.
Exposure to air, fluctuating temperatures, and contamination introduced by spoon can cause opened Bragg’s liquid aminos to degrade faster. Tightly resealing and refrigeration are not needed, but will help keep it fresher longer after opening.
How to Tell if Opened Bragg’s Has Gone Bad
Similar signs that indicate spoilage in unopened bottles also apply to opened Bragg’s liquid aminos. Here are the main signs that an opened bottle of Bragg’s has gone bad and should be discarded:
- Change in color – Darkening, cloudiness, haziness.
- Sediment – Bits floating, settled at bottom.
- Off odors – Medicinal, funky, rotten smells.
- Off tastes – Bitterness, musty, sourness.
- Mold – Fuzzy growth around cap or in liquid.
When in doubt, look for changes in the Bragg’s liquid aminos compared to when freshly opened. Any deterioration in appearance, aroma or flavor is a sign it may be going bad and should be discarded.
How to Properly Store Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
To get the most out of a bottle of Bragg’s liquid aminos, proper storage is key for both unopened and opened bottles. Here are some guidelines on how to store Bragg’s liquid aminos:
Unopened Bragg’s Storage
- Pantry or cupboard – Store unopened at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from heat and light. Avoid spots near oven, dishwasher or in direct sun.
- No refrigeration needed – Cold temps are not necessary for an unopened bottle.
- Store upright – Keep bottle upright to avoid leakages.
- Check “best by” date – Use bottles within 3 years of the date code printed on the label for best quality.
Opened Bragg’s Storage
- Reseal tightly – Always screw the lid on tightly after each use.
- Cool & dry place – Keep in a cupboard or pantry away from heat and moisture.
- No fridge – Refrigeration can cause liquid to become cloudy once cooled again.
- Clean utensils – Use clean spoon each time to prevent contamination.
- Mark date opened – Write the date you opened it on the bottle.
- Use within 6 months – Consume within 6 months of opening for best quality and taste.
Proper storage helps extend the shelf life of Bragg’s liquid aminos, both before and after opening. Minimizing exposure to air, light, heat and unsanitary conditions will maintain the quality and prevent spoilage.
Does Bragg’s Liquid Aminos Go Bad Once Opened?
Yes, opened Bragg’s liquid aminos can go bad eventually without proper storage. Exposure to oxygen, light, fluctuating temps, and bacteria introduced from utensils shorten the shelf life after opening to about 6 months.
Signs that opened Bragg’s has spoiled include:
- Change in color – Darkening, cloudiness, haziness.
- Sediment particles – Bits floating or settled at bottom.
- Off smells – Medicinal, funky, rotten odors.
- Off tastes – Bitter, musty, sour flavors.
- Mold growth – Around cap or in liquid.
To maximize freshness after opening, reseal tightly between uses, store in a cool dark place, use clean utensils, and consume within 6 months. Discard any Bragg’s liquid aminos that shows signs of spoilage.
How to Tell If Bragg’s Liquid Aminos Has Gone Bad?
Here are the most common signs that Bragg’s liquid aminos has spoiled and should be thrown out:
Change in Appearance
- Discoloration – Liquid becomes darker, cloudy, hazy or opaque.
- Sediment – Flakes, particles or gritty bits floating or settled on the bottom.
- Mold – Fuzzy growth anywhere in bottle or on surface of liquid.
Change in Smell
- Rancid odor – Smells off, unpleasant or rotten.
- Medicinal smell – Strong medicinal or chemical-like odor.
- Vinegar-like – Smells sour or like vinegar.
Change in Flavor
- Bitter taste – Unpleasant bitter flavor.
- Sour taste – Vinegar-like sourness.
- Musty flavor – Damp, moldy taste.
- Soapy flavor – Chemical, soapy taste.
Bragg’s liquid aminos that shows major changes in color, clarity, smell or taste compared to a fresh bottle should be discarded. Even if not visibly moldy, those changes indicate it has likely spoiled from oxidation, chemical changes or bacterial contamination. When in doubt, throw it out.
Can You Freeze Bragg’s Liquid Aminos?
Freezing is not recommended for Bragg’s liquid aminos. The freezing process and temperature fluctuations during freezing and thawing can cause negative changes.
Here’s why freezing Bragg’s liquid aminos is not advised:
- Texture changes – Freezing may cause separation, precipitation of components, and an undesirable consistency once thawed.
- Cloudiness – Liquid can become irreversibly cloudy, hazy or opaque after being frozen and thawed.
- Flavor changes – Volatile aroma compounds may be lost, causing subtle flavor changes.
- Bottle may crack – Rapid freezing can cause glass bottle to expand and crack.
- Thawing issues – Crystallization during freezing may prevent complete thawing.
For best quality, store Bragg’s liquid aminos in a cool dark cupboard and keep refrigeration only for short term storage once opened. Avoid extended freezing. Refrigerate only what you will use within a month and purchase smaller bottles if you won’t use it quickly.
Does Refrigerating Bragg’s Liquid Aminos Change the Taste?
Refrigerating Bragg’s liquid aminos is not necessary but may subtly change the taste. Cooling causes components of the aminos to crystallize and fall out of solution. Over time, this can lead to a cloudier, altered flavor.
Here’s what happens when refrigerating Bragg’s liquid aminos:
- Cloudiness – Ingredients crystallize and cause cloudy appearance.
- Sediment – Particles form and settle out at the bottom.
- Dulled flavors – Volatile aromas condense, muting overall flavor.
- Bottle condensation – Water droplets form with temp changes.
- Thickened texture – Viscous consistency when cold.
Once brought back to room temperature, refrigerated Bragg’s liquid aminos will return to its normal liquid state. But some cloudiness and muted flavors may remain.
For best quality, avoid refrigeration and simply keep the bottle sealed in a cool, dry place. If refrigerating, allow it to fully regain room temp before use and consume within 1-2 months for best flavor. Expect changes in taste and appearance over longer refrigerated storage. Purchase smaller bottles if you won’t use up quickly.
Can You Freeze Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar?
It’s not recommended to freeze Bragg’s apple cider vinegar. The freezing process and temperature changes can negatively affect the quality. Here’s what happens when Bragg’s ACV is frozen:
- Texture – Vinegar thickens and becomes gloopy when thawed after freezing.
- Cloudiness – Liquid separates and looks curdled or lumpy when thawed.
- Crystallization – Components precipitate out of the liquid into gritty crystals.
- Diminished flavor – Volatile aroma compounds are lost, dulling the vinegar tang.
- Bottle may crack – Rapid freezing can cause glass bottle to expand and split.
For best quality, store Bragg’s apple cider vinegar in a cool, dry place like a pantry. Refrigerate only for short term storage and use within 1-2 months. Avoid extended freezing. Purchase smaller bottles if you won’t use it quickly.
Does Heating Bragg’s Liquid Aminos Destroy Nutrients?
Yes, exposing Bragg’s liquid aminos to high heat can potentially degrade or destroy some of the nutrients. Proteins and vitamins are especially susceptible.
Here’s what happens when heating Bragg’s liquid aminos:
- Protein denaturation – Amino acid chains unwind and lose structural integrity.
- Vitamin loss – Water-soluble vitamins like C and B vitamins are diminished.
- Enzyme deactivation – Enzymes and probiotics are deactivated by heat.
- Maillard reactions – Sugars and aminos react, altering flavors.
- Loss of potency – Nutritional value declines with extended heating.
To preserve nutrients, avoid prolonged heating of Bragg’s liquid aminos. Add it at the end of cooking or just before serving if using as a seasoning or glaze. Quick sautéing or steaming should not significantly impact the nutritional value. But extended high heat cooking, grilling, roasting or baking with Bragg’s could reduce some of its beneficial vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
Conclusion
With proper storage, Bragg’s liquid aminos can maintain quality and freshness for about 3 years unopened or 6 months once opened. Keep bottles sealed, stored in a cool, dry place out of light, and avoid freezing or heating. Discard any bottles showing signs of spoilage like changes in appearance, smell or taste. Following these guidelines allows you to enjoy the full nutritional benefits of Bragg’s liquid aminos over its full shelf life.
