Ewwww!

Left: Ancient bottle of Tabasco found in the back of the cabinet.

Right: Brand-new bottle of Tabasco.

Who'da thunk Tabasco had a shelf life? Clearly not me! (Speaking of which, what's with the expiration date on vinegar? What's going to happen to it?)

Comments

[Anne Glamore]

Do you want to invite my boys to live with you for a while? They'd ensure rapid Tabasco turnover.

[Karen]

I think I've been through a bottle or two since that one was purchased -- it somehow got hidden behind a big bottle of some kind of fancy-shmancy vinegar that I rarely use.

[Elena]

I always thought it had to be refrigerated.

[Karen]

Nope, anything with vinegar (including ketchup) can stay safely at room temp. But, apparently, not indefinitely!

[scott]

I don't use Tabasco. I like Cholula. I know you don't have to refrigerate it, but I do anyway.

[Generic_Humanoid]

I am never sure when the color changes like that if it "went bad" or if the peppers in solution have lost color. Regardless, I toss it anyway. Not that Tabasco or Cholula lasts that long here :)

[James]

I've definitely eaten Tabasco that was that color with no problems. It changes color but tastes about the same.

Not only is it chock-full of vinegar, but a fair amount of salt as well. No self respecting pathogen is going to hang out there!

[Di]

Yuck on the Tabasco!!! I am hopelessly behind on my blog reading.

What about vinegar? Do you refrigerate? I noticed that some of my vinegars say to refrigerate after opening. I have never done this before.