If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think too much about the shelf life of blueberry jam. After all, it’s a food that you eat and you’re not sure how long it will last. But the truth is that blueberry jam has a shelf life, and it’s important to know about it if you want to store it properly. Here are the basics about blueberry jam shelf life and how to store it so that it will stay in good condition.
Blueberry jam (unopened jar)
- Ambient temperature: 2 years (best quality)
Stored in the right conditions, an unopened jar of blueberry jam typically maintains optimum quality for about 2 years at room temperature. To maximize the shelf life of blueberry jam, store it in a cool, dry place.
Opened blueberry jam
- Refrigerator: 2 to 3 weeks
The precise answer to this question depends to a large extent on the storage conditions. Blueberry jam will usually keep for 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator after opening the jar. To maximize the shelf life of blueberry jam after opening the jar, store it in the fridge in an airtight container.
Is an unopened jar of blueberry jam safe to consume after the “best before” date on the jar?
Yes, provided it is stored in good conditions and the jar is not damaged. Commercial jars of blueberry jam are usually marked with a “best before” date, but this is not a best-before date; this is the manufacturer’s estimate of how long blueberry jam will retain optimum quality.
After this date, the texture, color, or flavor of blueberry jam may change, but in most cases, it will still be safe to eat if stored in the correct conditions, if the jar is not damaged and if it shows no signs of tampering.
How do you know if blueberry jam has expired?
The best way is to smell and examine the blueberry jam. If the blueberry jam smells, tastes, or looks abnormal, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
Storing blueberry jam
To store blueberry jam, it is best to store it in a cool place. If you do not plan on using the jam right away, put it in an airtight container and refrigerate it. For opened jars, always keep them in the fridge and consume them within 2-3 weeks.
Read: How to store Jams and Jellies
