So, just how long do smoothies last in the refrigerator?
I get it! You want to make batches of your favorite smoothies but are worried about how long they will stay good for. In this article, I am going to break down what I learned when I had the same question!
I am going explain what you should know about preserving your smoothie, including what makes it go bad and how you can make it stay fresh for longer
How Long Do Smoothies Last In The Refrigerator?
A smoothie will last 1-2 days in the refrigerator. If you make a large batch of smoothies for breakfast, then save the extra smoothie for later, it should still be fresh to drink even the next day.
But, there are some things to consider that may change that answer.
Smoothies that contain certain ingredients may last for shorter or longer in the refrigerator. Smoothie ingredients play a significant role in determining how perishable a drink is. As an example, if your smoothie contains orange or lemon juice, the low pH will help keep your smoothie fresh longer than average.
Bananas, on the other hand, don’t last long at all when exposed to cold. They tend to go brown quickly while in the refrigerator. Not to mention, frozen banana smoothies tend to separate when you defrost them. So, unless you’re planning on drinking the smoothie straight away, avoid using bananas.
Smoothies with frozen ingredients, like frozen spinach or berries, will last slightly longer than those that contain fresh fruit. Keeping such a smoothie in your refrigerator will also cause a change in flavor and consistency as the frozen fruit and other ingredients melt.
How Long Can Smoothies Last in the Freezer?
If you want to keep your smoothie fresh for more than a day, you’ll have to make use of the freezer. This is best for preserving large batches of pre-mixed smoothies. Since smoothies last longer in freezers than in the fridge, freezing your drink is a fantastic option if you want to enjoy healthy smoothies regularly without spending much of your time making them every day.
If you’re preparing green smoothies, for instance, you can put them in popsicle molds or ice cube trays, and it will stay fresh for up to three months. When you want to thaw your smoothie, it’s better to leave it in the fridge and wait for it to get your preferred texture. Don’t put it on your kitchen shelf for thawing.
What Makes Fruit Smoothies Go Bad?
Generally, smoothies are healthy and convenient drinks for many people, but their fast decaying rate is a cause of concern. Many fruit drinks are susceptible to oxidation, so you need to be cautious about oxidation reactions when you include them in your recipe.
And just like other drinks, smoothies also undergo oxidation. Being fresh, uncooked, and unprocessed makes it susceptible to spoilage.
That’s why it’s wise to ration 1 or 2 days’ worth of fresh smoothies in your refrigerator and freeze the rest. The life of your drink increases exceptionally while in the freezer. Just remember to store your smoothie in an air-tight container.
How to Know If Your Smoothie Has Spoiled
Remember, even if you use almond milk, soy milk, or frozen fruits, your smoothie will still start to go off approximately 24 hours later. So before you sip a cup of your favorite smoothie, you need to analyze its condition to determine whether it’s fresh and healthy for consumption
A color change is a common indicator that your smoothie is no longer safe for consumption. Smoothies often change their color once they undergo oxidation. Some become darker, while others obtain a green-gray hue.
A color that’s often observed is brown, but there are a few exceptions. For instance, when bananas turn brown, they actually become sweeter and add more flavor to your drink. So, ensure you know what type of smoothie you’re dealing with
Smoothies typically have a sweet smell. If you notice a rancid odor, it means that the ingredients in your smoothie are not in their original state, and your drink has gone bad. When you check, ensure you shake your smoothie first because the smell can be trapped in the container and get released after shaking it.
Great Tips on How to Make Smoothies Last Longer
Whether you’re storing your smoothie in the fridge or freezer, you have to maintain proper steps to make it last longer. For starters, if you’re preserving your make-ahead smoothies in the refrigerator, ensure you keep them in an airtight container.
You can find affordable mason jars in local stores that come with airtight lids. A mason jar or any glass container would be a perfect option for storing smoothies since the glass will keep your smoothie tasting fresh. Even though you can also use other containers apart from freezer-safe mason jars, ensure that they’re made of tempered glass. Otherwise, your container might crack when you remove it from the freezer to room temperature. Also, remember to leave some room at the top of the jar before freezing it.
The reason for using airtight containers is to prevent your fresh fruits and vegetables from oxidizing. As the ingredients in your smoothie oxidize, vitamins and nutrients inside them degrade. Your smoothie will also start losing its color and structure, and it might even begin to smell funny.
You can also keep the extra smoothie in ice trays. This will help you make ice cubes that are easier to blend later.
Make the Most of Your Smoothie
Now that you know how to preserve and store smoothies, you can start saving the leftovers instead of tossing them. Yes, your smoothie might lose some nutrients overnight. But this doesn’t mean disaster.
By following the tips above, you’ll still enjoy a healthy kick of vitamins and minerals and benefit the most from your smoothie. Just remember not to keep it for too long and test it before drinking it.