You don't have to refrigerate apple cider vinegar once it's opened. Instead, store it in a pantry or cabinet, away from direct sunlight. Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic. Because of this, it's unlikely to be contaminated with pathogens.
The best way to store apple cider vinegar is in an airtight container in a cool, dark place away from sunlight, such as in a kitchen pantry or basement. Refrigerating apple cider vinegar is unnecessary and does not improve its shelf life (6).
Bottom Line
By nature, apple-cider vinegar is self-preserving and should never go bad.
Unlike the filtered vinegar, unfiltered vinegar contains sediment which is referred to as “the mother,” a leftover bacteria from the fermentation process, similar to sediment in kombucha. Hence, you first gotta shake the bottle to get the complete organic liquid mixed up. So, shake it, then you make it!
Check The Taste Of The Vinegar
Of course, the best way to tell if apple cider vinegar has gone bad is by taste. If the vinegar tastes sour and vinegary then it's still good to use. However, if it tastes sweet or like alcohol then it's time to toss it out as the aging process aka the fermentation process has begun.
The acetic acid in the mother is thought to help lower our hair's pH to combat that dry, frizzy feel. Water can have the same impact too because it's pH neutral. But because apple cider vinegar is acidic, it can help restore hair's pH balance if you pour it on your hair after shampooing.
The cider just becomes unpleasant-tasting and slightly more alcoholic. It is not harmful. So, does apple cider go bad? Technically no, but the cider will slowly transform into a more acidic-tasting beverage.
There's some evidence that supports the fact that apple cider vinegar, had first thing in the morning may promote faster weight loss and accelerate fat burning. Since it works primarily as a detoxifying agent, a shot of apple cider vinegar in the morning can clear out toxins from the body and aid a fresh start.
Common dosages range from 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 mL) to 1–2 tablespoon (15–30 mL) per day mixed in a large glass of water. It's best to start with small doses and avoid taking large amounts. Too much vinegar can cause harmful side effects, including tooth enamel erosion and potential drug interactions.
Drinking apple cider vinegar before meals or right before bedtime may benefit your blood sugar levels the most. For example, one study in people with type 2 diabetes found that taking 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of apple cider vinegar at bedtime for 2 days reduced fasting blood sugar levels by up to 6% ( 7 ).
In addition to cloudiness or sediment, vinegar may develop a slimy substance called a “mother,” which may look and sound scary but is actually harmless. As its name suggests, the mother can even be used to make a new batch of vinegar. So, we can keep those bottles of vinegar in the pantry for another year, or longer.
To reuse a mother, rinse it well and transfer it to a clean jar of alcohol. Raw apple-cider vinegar sold in health-food stores frequently includes a mother, and it can be used to start a new batch.
If you were to want to start another batch you can cut part of your active vinegar mother (the uppermost one in the jar) along with some of the vinegar liquid and start it in another jar or give it to a friend. The vinegar mother you use part of will regenerate or another will form in your batch.
and Oenococcus sp. are the most common LAB identified in apple juice byproducts. In apple cider vinegar, which is the result of acetic fermentation, both of them were detected, even if acetic acid bacteria, such as Acetobacter sp., Komagataeibacter sp. or Gluconobacter sp., were the most abundant [17].
Most people can safely consume reasonable amounts of apple cider vinegar by following these general guidelines: Limit your intake. Start with a small amount and gradually work up to a maximum of 2 tablespoons (30 mL) per day, diluted in water, depending on your personal tolerance.
ACV is generally safe when consumed in moderation — no more than 1 to 2 tablespoons (tbsp) daily. But drinking excessive amounts of ACV can decrease potassium to hazardous levels. ACV may interact with some medications (including diuretics, laxatives, and certain medications for diabetes and heart disease).
A low calorie drink
About 100 grams of apple cider vinegar has about 22 calories, which means it makes for a low-calorie drink that can help boost weight loss. Adding a tablespoon of ACV into a glassful of water and drinking first thing in the morning may help burn belly fat.
As a guide, take 1-2 teaspoons or 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar per day mixed in a glass of water. How often? It is recommended to take it no more than twice a day to prevent side effects such as nausea and erosion of tooth enamel.
Since apple cider vinegar is acidic, overconsumption can lead to dental erosion, too, says Dr. Mandal. You may feel burning in your throat. The harsh acidity of ACV can also lead to throat and esophageal irritation, says Dr.
The best way to take apple cider vinegar is to consume it on an empty stomach. Some foods that you eat can make the vinegar less potent and drinking it before meals boosts your ability to process food. Experts recommend waiting for at least 20 minutes after consuming the ACV to eat anything..
Can You Drink Apple Cider Vinegar on an Empty Stomach? Yes, you can drink diluted apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach. In fact, it's the recommended way to take ACV. Just wait about 20 minutes or so after drinking apple cider vinegar to eat.
You can also drink apple cider vinegar, diluted in hot or cold water as you prefer. Some people drink it before or after meals, or before going to bed.
Apple cider that has been continuously refrigerated will keep for about 7 to 10 days after opening. To further extend the shelf life of opened apple cider, freeze it: to freeze apple cider, store in airtight container and leave at least 1/2 inch headspace at the top, as apple cider will expand when frozen.
When you find a bit of stringy sediment, large or small, in a bottle of vinegar don't fret. In fact — congratulations — you have a mother. A vinegar mother, that is. Yes, it looks rather grungy and scary, floating on the top of the vinegar like that, but this spongy mass of bacteria is completely harmless.
From their team: “We prefer our cider after it has aged for some time, it is much better in the second year than the second month. During the first year, acids mellow, previously disjointed flavors come together, the aroma broadens and intensifies.