In cooking, canola oil is known as one of the most important ingredients. This oil, on the other hand, has various uses as a flavor enhancers.
Due to their similarities and shared nuances, usually, canola is compared with olive oil.
However, many people are somewhat confused as to whether this oil has an expiration date.
Does canola oil go bad? How long does this cooking oil last? How to tell if this oil has gone bad? How to store canola oil?
Well, in this post, we will answer these questions individually. But before that let’s find out what canola oil is.
What Is Canola Oil Anyway?
Canola oil a very versatile cooking oil thanks to its smooth texture, light flavor, free of cholesterol (source), as well as high smoke points.
And aforementioned is has a myriad of uses inside and outside of the kitchen, from adding balance and texture to many different tangy meals to applying it on your skin before going to bed as your moisturizer.
But apart from that, you can also use it as:
- Oil for baking, grilling, sautéing, stir-frying food with carbon steel wok
- In marinades, salad dressings, and sauces
- An alternative to solid fats like butter and margarine
Furthermore, this liquid consists of less saturated fat, compared to olive oil, sunflower oil, and corn oil.
Even so, canola oil is high in omega-3 fatty acid ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), which is crucial to have in your everyday diet as your body cannot make it.
Does Canola Oil Go Bad? How Long Does Canola Oil Last?
Much like other oils such as sesame oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil, canola oil has a best by date on the label as well.
The date, on the other hand, is an uneven approximation of how extensive the liquid will maintain its freshness.
If an unopened bottle is stored properly, typically, it’ll have a shelf life of around 24 months.
But depending on the storing situations, there’s a possibility that your canola oil will go bad in lesser time.
Thus, make sure to check the best by date before every use.
But once it is opened the shelf life will drop to between 6 months and one year due to the contact with the air.
However, you will prevent it from going bad as fast if you refrigerate it, though you can’t still increase its life to more than a year.
On the other hand, just like any other oils out there, canola oil will eventually go bad as well.
You must realize that all foods in your refrigerator and kitchen will sooner or later perish even though you freeze it at the perfect room temperature.
Though it is incredibly unlikely for mold to develop, putrefaction will still come to pass after a while.
Moreover, the primary reason why putrefaction problem with this liquid is that it can become rancid with ease.
As a matter of fact, rancidity usually takes place when the molecules become tarnished, through heat, air, or light.
Aside from tasting unpleasant and bad, consumption of fats that are tarnished can be dangerous to your health.
That is why consuming bad oil is strictly discouraged.
So if you don’t want your canola oil to go bad with ease, then store it properly.
How to Tell If Canola Oil Is Bad? Canola Oil Shelf Life!
Luckily, there are some noticeable signs that will tell you that your canola oil is bad.
- Smell
When it goes bad, canola oil, just like any other oils will give off an unpleasant smell. Usually, it reeks that could be intolerable for many.
Thus, before pouring it on the food that you are preparing, make sure to smell the container and oil itself.
After all, no one wants to use an ingredient that will destroy the food’s taste as well as safety.
- Color
Another great way to assess the oil’s quality is by looking at the color properly. Keep in mind that fresh canola oil possesses a pristine and transparent looking color.
But as the day passes by, the color will become dark little by little. So, if you notice changes in the color, make sure to smell instantly.
Nevertheless, the reason why there are changes in the smell and color is because of prolonged exposure to bacterial action, moisture, light, as well as air.
Canola oil goes bad, but keep in mind that it will not take place in just a short span of time if you store it properly and safely.
Last but not least, you can still use it as long as it does not smell bad.
How to Store Canola Oil Properly?
Similar to other oils like peanut oil, rapeseed oil or canola oil must be kept in a dark and cool place in a container that is sealed tightly.
However, it is crucial that this liquid has slight contact with oxygen, light, or heat to make the oxidation process slow.
Having that said, storing it next to the stove is not a good idea.
When storing a canola oil, the food store is the ideal choice, however, a sideboard in your kitchen is a great option as well.
But make sure that is away from your oven as well as other fonts of heat since the changes in temperature will badly affect the oil’s quality. The same will go for the exposure of light.
However, once the bottle of your canola oil is open, make sure to keep it tightly sealed, especially when not in use.
But, if you do not have a nice place to keep it at or somewhat inferior to room temperature, you may store it in your refrigerator.
Keep mind that when refrigerated, the oil will turn into cloudy.
However, cloudiness isn’t dangerous while the evenness will go back to its normal condition the moment you warm it up to ideal room temperature.
On the other hand, refrigerating the canola oil will actually prevent liquid from going bad as quickly. Though it will not extend the life on the shelf over one year.
Freezing, however, is not recommended since the structure will somewhat change, making it go bad more rapidly.
Does Canola Oil Go Bad? How Long Does Canola Oil Last?
Ingredients
- Canola oil
- Air-tight containers
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
- Check the u0026quot;Best-by-dateu0026quot; to know when it expires.
- Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
- Always check for signs of spoilage before using.
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