How Long Does Cold Pressed Juice Last?

Cold-pressed juices are packed with nutrients but they do have a limited shelf life. If you wonder how long you can keep your juices in the fridge, you’re in the right spot. This article examines how long unopened and opened cold-pressed juices actually stay fresh. Learn the optimal storage methods to extend shelf life and what signs indicate a cold-pressed juice has spoiled and should be discarded.

So, How Long Does Cold-Pressed Juice Usually Last?

You can generally expect your cold-pressed juice to stay fresh for about three to five days if you adhere to the guidelines provided. Arden’s Garden uses HPP to prolong all of its juices’ shelf life. When you buy one of our products, you can be confident that your juice will have a shelf life of between 45-90 days. We get more into HPP technology later on.

If any of these guidelines are not followed or other variables come into play, the juice could spoil in less than a day.

Read below to find out more on how you can keep your cold-pressed juices fresh.

How to Keep Your Cold-Pressed Juices Fresh

Whether you’re buying your juice from a store or making your own at home, it’s important to keep your cold-pressed juices fresh. Using high-quality produce, maintaining a cold environment, and acidity are three factors to consider.

Utilizing High-Quality Produce

Ensuring your juice lasts several days in the refrigerator starts with using fresh, clean produce. Using spoiled or pre-cut produce that has begun to oxidize will significantly shorten its shelf life. Arden’s Garden utilizes high-quality produce in all of its juices and wellness shots, so you don’t have to worry about subpar ingredients shortening the experience.

Maintain a Cold Environment

Maintaining a cold environment throughout the juicing process is crucial, whether it's fruit juices or vegetable juices. The recommended temperature is at or below 5°C. Ideally, a refrigerated kitchen would be perfect, but if that's not available, ensure your produce goes straight from the fridge to the juicer and back into the fridge as quickly as possible.

Using a blast chiller can also rapidly bring the juice down to the correct temperature. When delivering cold-pressed juice, it's essential to maintain the proper temperature throughout the entire supply chain. Keeping the juice cold enhances its color and taste while extending its shelf life.

Acidity

Juice with low pH tends to have a longer shelf life compared to juice with high pH. For instance, highly acidic lemon juice lasts much longer than carrot juice. To extend the shelf life of your juices, try a cold-pressed juice that uses ingredients with a higher pH.

High-Pressure Processing

In the world of cold-pressed juice, High-Pressure Processing is the most common preservation method. This technique involves placing plastic bottles of juice into a high-pressure chamber to kill microbes and extend shelf life. Depending on the juice variety, HPP can prolong shelf life between 1 to 3 months.

How Can I Identify Spoilage?

When it comes to juice, understanding oxidation involves trusting your senses. Color, texture, smell, and taste can all signal that your juice is no longer fresh and should be discarded. Here are some signs of juice oxidation:

Texture: A chunky or slimy texture indicates that the juice is no longer fresh
Color: Noticeable color changes, such as green juice turning brown, are a clear warning sign. This should not be confused with the natural separation of fresh fruit and vegetable juices.
Taste: If you notice any of the above signs, do not taste the juice. Discard it immediately.
Smell: A sour smell is a major red flag, often indicating over-fermentation. This can also cause the bottle to appear bloated.

Related: Green Juice Benefits

How Can I Avoid Spoilage?

Preventing juice waste is easy and requires just a bit of effort. To enjoy your juices and smoothies at their freshest, follow these tips:

Consume within 24 hours: Cold-pressed juices generally have a short shelf life. For optimal freshness, consume them within 24 hours once opened. Never drink juices that have been left at room temperature for a prolonged period.
Thawing: Your bottles will arrive in thermally efficient packaging to keep them frozen. Upon arrival, store them in the freezer. Defrost the bottles you plan to drink the day before. Thawing can take 28-48 hours, depending on your refrigerator's temperature, so plan. If juices partially thaw in transit, they're still safe to drink if there's ice inside—no need to worry.

Always drink fresh juice: Similar to our first point, the sooner you drink your juice, the better your experience will be. Fresh juice is vibrant, delicious, and packed with health benefits.

Now that you've learned what cold-pressed juice is and how to avoid spoilage, you're ready to keep your juices fresh. Try an Arden's Garden location in Atlanta or browse our online collection today!