Mrs. Buttersworth’s syrup is a thick and delicious breakfast syrup that has been delighting families since 1961. If you tend to use the sugary syrup only as an occasional treat, you might be wondering whether this product can spoil or not.
A closed syrup might not go bad in years if it has been kept in a cool and dry place. However, the company claims that the shelf life of their syrups is 540 days, so you might not want to consume the product after that, just in case.
How to properly store your Mrs. Buttersworth’s syrup? What are the signs of spoilage and can you freeze the deliciousness? Let’s find out!
What Factors Affect the Shelf Life of Syrup?
Packaging
Various types of packaging can be used for syrups. Those include glass bottles, PVC, PET, and so on. Though it has been proven that glass bottles are able to maintain a balanced taste and aroma for longer, Mrs. Buttersworth’s sells the famous syrups in iconic squeezable bottles made out of plastic.
To make sure that your syrup does not crystallize, you would have to keep the lid tightly sealed. That might be quite challenging as it becomes sticky, but spending an extra minute to wipe down the lid would help extend the shelf life of the delicious syrup.
Storage Conditions
When it comes to the storage of Mrs. Buttersworth’s syrup, there are three main factors that you would have to consider.
• Temperature
An unopened bottle can be kept in the cabinet, but you would have to ensure that it’s a cool and dry place. Any temperature fluctuations can eventually lead to fermentation and mold growth.
• Light
Though the syrup already comes in an opaque container, you would still have to keep it away from direct sunlight. Exposure to light can cause color and flavor changes.
• Air exposure
If the opened bottle is not tightly sealed, it might lead to oxidation which will affect the quality and the taste of the syrup.
Best-Before Date
The ‘best-before’ date guarantees certain properties of the syrup (like taste, for example) to be effective up to this point. This does not mean that it would be unsafe for you to consume Mrs. Buttersworth’s syrup after the best-before date, but there is a slight chance that the taste, texture, or color will change.
The syrup has a shelf life of 540 days. Once opened, it is recommended to consume the product within this timeframe, but the syrup might technically never go bad.
Contamination Risk
Even though concentrated sugar syrups have a very high osmotic pressure which prevents bacteria from growing and reproducing, the product can get contaminated when improperly stored.
To check the current price and availability of Mrs. Buttersworth’s Syrup, click here to view the listing on Amazon.
What Are the Signs of Spoiled Syrup?
Before consuming any product, it is recommended to inspect it for signs of spoilage. Thankfully, identifying those is quite easy.
Visual Changes
Any changes in the appearance of the syrup might indicate that the product has gone bad. If you have noticed any unusual particles (floating debris or sediment), cloudiness, or signs of mold growth, you would have to toss the syrup away.
Do bear in mind that Mrs. Buttersworth’s syrup can start forming crystals if kept in the fridge. In such a case, you will notice some build-up at the bottom of the bottle which is perfectly normal.
To find out whether you’re looking at crystalized sugar or strange particles that might indicate that the product has spoiled, hold the bottle under warm, running water for 30 seconds or so. If the build-up starts melting and the syrup becomes a uniform liquid again, the product is completely safe to consume.
Odor
Bad syrup can develop a sour, rotten smell. Such an odor is often an indication of bacterial growth – the microorganisms can start thriving in the product, in case it wasn’t stored properly.
Mrs. Buttersworth’s syrup should have a pleasant, sweet aroma. So, if you notice anything suspicious about the smell, immediately throw the bottle away.
Texture
The consistency of the syrup should be thick, rich, and uniform. If you found strange bits in your syrup, the chances are high that the product has been contaminated.
How to Properly Store Mrs. Buttersworth’s Syrup
At Room Temperature
Mrs. Buttersworth’s syrup can be stored at room temperature even after the bottle has been opened.
However, you would have to make sure that your cabinet or pantry does not experience temperature fluctuations and that it stays cool and dry throughout the day.
Also, remember to keep the syrup out of direct sunlight and the bottle tightly sealed.
In the Fridge
The syrup does not need to be refrigerated, but it can be safer to do so, especially, if you don’t have a cool and dry place in your house where you can store the opened bottle.
Leave the syrup in its original bottle and always keep the lid tightly sealed. The product can start to crystalize when kept in the fridge, so you might want to hold the bottle under warm water before using it.
In the Freezer
You can freeze Mrs. Buttersworth’s syrup, in case you decide to buy quite a few bottles for future use. In such a way, you will be able to increase the product’s shelf life.
Do bear in mind that you can’t freeze the syrup in the same container it came in, you would have to transfer it into a freezer-safe pouch.
Food Safety Recommendations
As long as you manage to keep the syrup tightly sealed and use it within the ‘best-before’ date, the product should be safe to consume.
However, failing to properly put the lid onto the bottle and licking the syrup off the packaging can lead to bacterial growth. Ideally, you would want to wipe down the lid with a disposable towel every time you finish using the syrup and store it away from other products as this might lead to cross-contamination.
Final Thoughts
Though it is generally safe to consume Mrs. Buttersworth’s syrup even after the best-before date, that does not mean that the product cannot go bad.
The syrup can spoil, if you store it in a warm place, in direct sunlight, or unproperly sealed. That’s why it’s important to check the product for signs of spoilage before pouring the yumminess over your breakfast.
