Simple syrup is a multifaceted sweetener that is not only straightforward to use but also remarkably flexible.
It’s made out of sugar and water, so it has a low glycemic index (GI) and doesn’t spike blood glucose levels as much as high-glycemic index starches or sugars.
How long does simple syrup last?
Most homemade simple syrup recipes will instruct cooks to let their syrup cool completely before using it, since warm liquid won’t keep its sweetness for too long.
However, if your syrup isn’t cold enough when you first make it, it could start to ferment.
Fermenting means the sugars (glucose and fructose) in the syrup start breaking down into alcohol and acetic acid.
As the sugar breaks down, it releases more ethanol (which makes the syrup taste boozy), and less carbon dioxide gas—which creates a fizzy effect.
When you add an acidic ingredient such as lemon juice to the mixture, this slows down the fermentation process.
In fact, adding citrus to any type of food helps preserve it, making citrus essential for home preservation techniques like pickling, canning, and smoking.
So, while the shelf life of simple syrup should be no longer than three to four weeks, it has a very long shelf life once stored properly in the fridge.
What is the shelf life of simple syrup?
Just like most foods, the shelf life of simple syrup depends on how you store it.
For example, if you want to store homemade syrup in glass bottles, they must be kept at room temperature, not refrigerated.
If you do refrigerate them, they need to be tightly sealed with plastic wrap or foil.
In general, storeroom temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit may cause the syrup to break down faster.
However, if you plan on keeping your syrup away from heat sources such as ovens or microwaves, then it shouldn’t become too runny or crystallized too quickly.
How do you store simple syrup?
One important tip is to store homemade syrup in its own container.
If you have multiple containers of syrup, it’ll be easier to track which one needs replacing sooner.
You can also purchase simple syrup in small quantities (such as 16 ounces) and freeze it in smaller amounts for future use.
This way, you don’t need to worry about storing extra syrup in a big bottle that might go bad while you wait for it to thaw in the refrigerator.
How do you make simple syrup?
Making simple syrup is pretty simple.
All you need to do is combine equal parts white sugar and hot water together until all of the sugar dissolves.
Then you can strain the syrup through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer to remove any un-dissolved sugar crystals.
For best results, try to make simple syrup as soon as possible after buying the ingredients.
This allows the sugar to fully dissolve in the hot water, giving the syrup a better flavor.
What is simple syrup used for?
Simple syrup is perfect for sweetening drinks, desserts, and sauces.
But, it’s also useful for preserving food.
Just remember to store your syrup in a clean jar or plastic container, preferably in the fridge.
To preserve foods, you can use simple syrup to either seal the food in jars or bottles, or cover the surface of foods with a coating of simple syrup.
These coatings prevent moisture loss and inhibit growth of bacteria that causes spoilage.
Another popular home preservation method is to boil water, then pour it over fruits or vegetables to “pickle” them.
The boiling water extracts the flavors in the fruit or vegetable, and the vinegar helps preserve the pickles.
What is the difference between simple syrup and other syrups?
While there are many different types of syrups, simple syrup is just one kind of honey syrup.
Other kinds of honey syrup include:
- light corn syrup
- maple syrup
- agave syrup
- cane syrup
- brown rice syrup
All of these syrups have similar properties to simple syrup, including being easily measured and having a lower GI rating.
They also provide a nice sweet taste without the added calories and carbohydrates of regular sugar.
How long does homemade simple syrup last?
Homemade simple syrup keeps well for up to six months in the refrigerator.
To ensure freshness, you can open the container every couple of days and stir the syrup to dissolve any sediment.
How long does storebought simple syrup last?
Because of the wide variety of brands available today, it’s impossible to know exactly how long storebought simple syrup will last.
Some brands claim their syrup lasts for five years, while others say theirs lasts for three to five years.
Regardless, you should always follow package instructions when opening the syrup, especially if it was opened prior to purchasing.
What are some substitutes for simple syrup?
If you find yourself running out of simple syrup during a recipe, don’t panic! There are plenty of ways to substitute it, including:
- 1 cup granulated sugar + 1/4 cup water = 1 cup simple syrup
- 1 cup light corn syrup + 1/4 cup water = 1 cup simple syrup
- 1 cup maple syrup + 1/4 cup water = 1 cup simple syrup
- 1 cup agave syrup + 2 tablespoons water = 1 cup simple syrup
- 1 cup brown rice syrup + 3/4 cup water = 1 cup simple syrup
- 3/4 cup honey + 1/4 cup water = 1 cup simple syrup
- 3/4 cup molasses + 1/4 cup water = 1 cup simple syrup
Can simple syrup go bad?
Since simple syrup is mostly just water and sugar, you can’t really tell
when it starts going bad by looking at it.
However, if your syrup has gone bad, it will smell sour and have a
slightly bitter taste.
If you notice this happening, it’s probably time to discard the syrup and make new simple syrup.
Thc Simple Syrup
Equipment
- 1 Pot
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 3 cups sugar
- Vanilla
Instructions
- You start by putting water and sugar into a pot.
- Boil the content, stir until all sugar has dissolved.
- This will take about 3 minutes.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, add the cannabis and vegetable glycerine.
- Bring the mixture back to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 45 minutes to an hour.
- Make sure that you stir occasionally so that the cannabis doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
- Boiling leads to decarboxylation of the cannabis.
- Decarboxylation activates the thc, turning it into the psychoactive form.
- Lower the heat, add the vegetable glycerine and allow the content to simmer for 5-6 minutes.
- Keep checking the mixture every minute by removing the lid and remember to keep stirring.
- This process helps in ensuring that the cannabis oil is well combined with the sugar water.
- After simmering, turn off the heat and let the mixture cool.
- Once it has cooled, strain it using a cheesecloth and a strainer.
- If you want to add some flavor to your syrup, you can add vanilla or lemon extracts.
- Straining the content is necessary because it sieves all the plant matter out.
- Be vigilant at this stage to avoid being burned or spilling your syrup.
- Pour the syrup into a sterilized container and store in the fridge.
- The syrup will last for 2-3 weeks when stored in the fridge.
- Remember, do not reheat or reboil the syrup as it will affect the flavor and potency.
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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