Avocados are frequently used to make oil since they are a fruit that is high in beneficial fats. Although avocado oil is not as prevalent as olive oil, if you run out of olive oil, you might want to try it instead because of its great flavor and helpful nutrients. With all of the benefits avocado oil provides, it would be a waste to throw it away due to incorrect storage. Don’t worry; in this post, we’ll go over all you need to know about avocado oil, including its shelf life, storage methods, and how to tell when it’s time to discard it.
Avocado oil, like all other oils, does not last indefinitely. While it won’t grow mold, it will oxidize and turn rancid over time, and that’s when you’ll be able to get rid of it. Like olive oil (which is sometimes compared), Avocado oil is low in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which helps it survive a long time. However, this slows down the rancidification process, which causes oils to go rancid; it does not prevent it.
What Is Avocado Oil?
Avocado oil is still a relatively new product, and the varied forms aren’t as well standardized as sesame oil, which has plain and toasted variations that are easily distinguishable.
For avocado oils, you can divide them into two groups:
- Unrefined, most often labeled “extra virgin” or “virgin.”
- Refined, where the label usually says that the oil was refined.
Unrefined avocado oil is green and tastes like avocados, with a subtle buttery flavor or mushrooms. It all depends on the oil, so don’t be surprised if the new one tastes different than the old one.
On the other hand, refined avocado oil has a hue and odor that is relatively neutral. Avocado oil is refined to resemble vegetable oils, which are helpful in various situations because they don’t have a particular flavor. Let’s speak about how to identify if avocado oil is terrible now that we’ve established that.
How To Tell If Avocado Oil Is Bad?
Here are the signs of lousy avocado oil:
- It has a foul odor, and it’s rancid if the oil begins to smell stale and chemical-like. Some believe the oil smells like play-dough, while others think it smells like nail polish remover. You know what I’m talking about if you’ve ever smelled an expired vegetable oil. Also, keep in mind that avocado oil comes in two varieties, each with its distinct aroma.
- There are visible differences. If the oil’s color or texture has changed dramatically, it’s most likely ruined. The only exception is if the liquid is slightly cloudy or crystallized. Such changes are common if you store the oil in a cold location (e.g., the fridge), and the oil will clear up once you bring it to room temperature.
- It has a horrible flavor. It’s time to taste the oil if it looks and smells good. It has oxidized and is no longer edible if it tastes harsh, acidic, or unpleasant. Remember that refined and unrefined avocado oil has different flavors.
- In most circumstances, we need to use our noses to determine whether avocado oil has gone rancid or not, as it’s difficult to tell just by looking at it.
Because spoiled avocado oil rarely shows visual indications of spoilage, it’s impossible to tell whether it’s good or bad just by looking at it. Instead, take a sniff of the oil to determine its quality. The oil will go rancid if it has a rotting or ruined odor. At this time, it’s best to discard the oil and replace it with something different, as yours is no longer safe to consume. You may also taste it because degraded oil frequently has scents distinct from its original pleasant flavor.
How Long Does Avocado Oil Last?
Avocado oil has a shelf life of one to two years and typically lasts until the expiration date on the label. Unrefined avocado oil keeps for around six months after opening the bottle, but refined avocado oil keeps for a few months longer. The times listed are simply estimations, and each brand has its own set of guidelines, so read the label carefully.
You should be aware that the avocado oil industry is currently in chaos, and the oil is frequently oxidized (rancid) long before the printed expiration date. According to a study conducted by UC Davis experts, this is the case.
As a result, you should always check if the oil is safe to use before using it, even if the printed date has passed. What if your avocado oil has gone wrong? Is it best to dump it immediately away? Most likely not. Let’s discuss how you should go about doing that.
How To Store Avocado Oil?
Avocado oil preservation is not tricky, but you must follow the preservation guidelines. Avocado oil can be stored in three different places, as shown below:
In The Pantry
Dark and stale Avocado oil should be stored in the pantry or the kitchen cabinet. These locations shield the oil from light and heat, hasten oil breakdown. However, this procedure only works with sealed avocado oil bottles, not those opened and must be stored in low-oxygen conditions.
In The Fridge
It’s good to keep avocado oil, especially unsealed products, in the fridge to extend its shelf life.
Avocado oil can be kept in the fridge away from heat, sunshine, and oxygen, which helps to preserve the oil’s quality for long-term use. Although the oil will become hazy or milky when refrigerated, the flavor and nutritional value will not be compromised.
In The Freezer
Though freezing avocado oil isn’t a common practice, it can extend the life of the oil by up to a year. To keep avocado oil in your freezer, follow these procedures. The temperature of the freezer should be set at 35 to 37 °FPrepare a dark freezer-safe container. You can pour the oil directly into the container or keep it in its initial bottle if it can be sealed tightly with its lidNote the oil’s expiry date on the container or bottle before popping it in the freezer.
Is It OK To Use Expired Avocado Oil?
Although eating rancid avocado oil has a terrible taste, it is unlikely to make you sick right away. On the other hand, dirty oil might produce dangerous free radicals, which can cause long-term cell damage and even contribute to the development of chronic diseases.
As you may know, avocado oil decreases in quality over time, so it’s not like it was fine yesterday but is now foul and nasty. It’s a continuous process, and the written date is just an estimate of how long the oil will keep its quality. As a result, the scent and flavor of your avocado oil are more important than the date. Who worries if it’s good quality, but it’s probably OK to consume a few weeks past its expiration date. The same idea applies in reverse as well. It has to go if it smells like old paint yet is still a few months before the printed date.
Apply It To Iron Or Steel Tools
For lubricant and rust prevention, rub avocado oil on metal surfaces such as hammers or shovels.
Use It As A Lamp Oil Alternative
It will provide you with the same amount of light as a candle, even though it will not operate as well as lamp oil. Last but not least, it prevents you from spending money.
Use It As A Polish To Improve Your Furniture Condition
I combine equal parts of vinegar and oil to create a suitable material for restoring old, scratched wood furniture such as chairs, tables, cutting boards, and butcher blocks.
Furthermore, when it comes to leather products like purses, sofas, or shoes, the oil functions as a protective coating that helps preserve and soften the leather’s surface. This will extend the life of the furniture.
Avocado oil can be combined with a few drops of lavender or citrus to create a pleasant-smelling concoction.
Conclusion
Avocado oil does not spoil quickly once the written expiration date has passed, and it could keep its quality for a few more weeks or even months, but it could also get rancid before the expiration date. That’s what UC Davis researchers discovered in their research.
As a result, predicting how long avocado oil will last is tricky, and it’s better to focus on its quality instead. You don’t have to refrigerate avocado oil while storing it, but it’s a good idea, especially if it’s unrefined avocado oil and you plan to keep it for more than a couple of months.
