If you love spicy food, you’ve probably heard of Tapatio- the ravishingly delicious hot sauce that’s so darn yummy.
In fact, you adore it so much that you most likely want to stock up on as many Tapatio hot sauces as you possibly can but are wondering, “how long does Tapatio last?”
You don’t want to end up wasting good Tapatio.
Whatever your interests, whether you’re a hot-sauce enthusiast or are venturing to cater to hot sauce lovers, knowing how long your Tapatio is going to last is essential.
So, buckle up. We’re going to be talking about all things Tapatio shelf-life and tips to keep them around longer.
Tapatio is so good that it’s been listed as one of the best hot sauces to look out for in 2020 by The Spruce Eats.
This amazingly well-seasoned hot sauce is just the right amount of garlicky, peppered scrumptiously, and is a force to be reckoned with.
How Long Does Tapatio Last? Does Tapatio Go Bad?
Tapatio doesn’t have a definite expiry date as such. However, they advise customers to consume the product 2 years within its manufactured date.
Tapatio, like other sauces, does go bad after a while.
An unopened bottle of Tapatio hot sauce has a shelf-life of up to two years. An opened bottle, on the other hand, can last for about 3-6 months.
Refrigeration is optional when it comes to Tapatio. But it is recommended that you refrigerate it for possibly longer shelf-life and definite freshness, especially if you’ve already opened your bottle.
This applies to occasional Tapatio consumers who do it for the recipes as well. Keep your Tapatio bottle fresh by storing it in a cool and dry place.
The fact that Tapatio hot sauces do not have a specific expiry date is concerning because of the presence of certain ingredients that could potentially make it go bad. An example would be garlic.
For reference, the FDA’s document on vegetables and herbs in oil explains how garlic-based sauces can be a botulism risk.
It is a rare but serious condition that is caused by the toxins produced by bacteria called Clostridium botulinum that grows in oxygen constricted environments.
In this case, it’s foodborne botulism that could potentially be caused by the garlic going bad with time when the sauce isn’t properly stored.
So, always keep track of the manufactured date on the label of your Tapatio bottle to make sure you do not use it beyond its estimated shelf life.
The ingredients in a Tapatio bottle are prone to spoilage from exposure to bacteria, so store with discretion.
Tapatio will go bad faster if you don’t cap the bottle properly. Make sure you wipe off any excess sauce on the mouth of the bottle before capping it again to make sure no contaminants enter the bottle.
How to Tell if Tapatio is Bad?
There are several tell-tale signs to know when your Tapatio has gone bad. It’s going to taste, look, and smell funky.
When you leave your Tapatio for a period well beyond its expected shelf-life, you’ll notice that it doesn’t taste anything like when you first stocked it in your pantry.
It isn’t going to have the kick you expect out of it. It’s not going to be as spicy or rich in flavor.
According to experts, what you may also notice is the presence of black spots you might mistake for tiny pepper flakes.
Proceed with caution because these aren’t pepper flakes but actually mold spots growing in your hot-sauce.
It will cause a bit of trouble to your gastrointestinal system but not any long-term damage. Nevertheless, consuming a moldy bottle of Tapatio is definitely not recommended.
Tapatio gone bad is also going to smell funky. This is because of the growth of toxic bacteria from ingredients like garlic inside your sauce. Herbs in oil are potentially destructive to a hot sauce’s shelf-life.
All these signs are either because you have been keeping your Tapatio beyond its shelf-life or because you were not able to store the bottle properly.
So the next time you get a bottle of Tapatio, make sure you don’t leave it uncapped, don’t forget to clean off the mouth of the bottle, and best refrigerate.
Conclusion
Hot sauce is a non-negotiable for heat aficionados. It is something you wouldn’t think twice about take a dab of, even if it means it’s been sitting in your pantry for a little while longer than it’s supposed to.
We know you love the heat, but health comes first. Moreover, freshness equals better taste and more heat.
So you really don’t have a hard decision to make. If your sauce is a little on the stale side, get yourself a fresh bottle or whip up something temporary. Nothing beats fresh stuff.
How Long Does Tapatio Last? Does Tapatio Go Bad?
Ingredients
- Tapatio
- Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
- 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).
About The Author
