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How Long Do Capers Last?

How long do capers last? Capers can last a few years beyond a "best by" date if kept properly sealed. Because of this, most people wonder if capers go bad. The shelf life of capers depends on a variety of factors, such as the best by date, the preparation method and how they are stored.

Capers are unripe flower buds which are preserved in a brine to bring out their tangy lemon flavor. They are most often sold in jars. The pickling process usually involves vinegar which is very acidic and creates an extremely hostile environment for the growth of bacteria, thus extending their shelf life for a long time.

So, do capers go bad? Eventually... learn how to tell below. So, how long do capers last? When properly stored, the shelf life of capers past their best before date is approximately...

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Capers Expiration Date

Product	Pantry (Unopened)	Refrigerator (Opened)
	Past Printed Date	Past Printed Date
Capers last for	1-2 Years	1 Year

Of course, all foods last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. Like a lot of other condiments, they usually have a best before date and not a use by date. Because of this distinction, you may safely use them to compliment your favorite meals even after the best before date has lapsed.

How to tell if Capers are bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

Sight is usually the best way to tell if your capers have gone bad. If the top of the lid on the jar is rounded and dome shaped instead of flat across, the capers have most likely gone bad (probably because the jar was not sealed properly). If you open the jar and do not a hear the normal pop, then the seal was previously broken. If anything is brown or black (besides any added spices) then you should not eat the capers. The capers will begin to darken as time goes on after the best before date has lapsed and the taste will also begin to change over time. But, if a foul odor develops the capers should be thrown out.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Capers to extend their shelf life?

You can help capers stay fresh longer by storing them unopened in the pantry where the temperature is always less than 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once opened, the capers should be kept in the fridge. Be sure to keep the capers submerged in their liquid (brine).

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

Interesting facts about Capers:

Capers are actually unripe flower buds, which if left to grow become edible fruit called caper berries.

Capers have an evil cousin from the caper spurge plant that are actually poisonous, so if you decide to make your own capers, be extra sure that you've got real caper buds.

How long are Capers good for when prepared in a dish?

How long do capers last? That depends. How long does pasta last? In general, the capers will last as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the prepared dish.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Capers lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Capers.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Capers shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!