Chamoy is an utterly delicious condiment that is the perfect balance of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy. Originating in Mexico, chamoy is most commonly served with sweets.
If you visit the streets of Mexico City, you are bound to find a fruit stand serving chamoy over fresh fruit. Chamoy is an underrated condiment that we think deserves a place in your kitchen, especially if you love Mexican cuisine.
Once you have stocked yourself up on chamoy, however, you will need to answer the question of the day: Does chamoy go bad?
Quick Answer:
However, if stored properly, it can have a long shelf life and keep you stocked for months.
We’re going to have a look at what to look for in good and bad chamoy.
We’ll also give you some helpful storage tips to keep it fresh for as long as possible.
So without further ado, let’s dive into it.
What’s Chamoy Made Of?
Chamoy is a fruit-based sauce that has been spiced and seasoned to add the salty, spicy, and sour elements that make this sauce sing.
The ingredients that go into chamoy are:
- Dried Fruits – These can be apricots, raisins, mango, or other dried stone fruit. It acts as the base and adds sweetness
- Lime Juice – The citrus kick balances out all the sweetness of the dried fruit.
- Salt – Even though this is a sweet sauce, salt is key to balancing out all these flavors
- Sugar – The same as the fruit, the sugar adds sweetness and helps break down the fruit when it cooks.
- Dried Chili – Spice is very important in chamoy and works perfectly with sweetness.
- Dried Hibiscus Flower – These fragrant petals add a floral flavor and a hit of citrus[*]
These are cooked together and then blended to create a beautifully silky sauce bursting with flavor!
Does Chamoy Go Bad? How To Tell
So yes, as we mentioned, chamoy can go off but, lucky for you, it has a decent shelf life.
The combination of the sugars from the fruits and the added sugar acts as an excellent preservative to make it last longer.
Even so, we think it’s important to know what to look for if your chamoy goes bad so you can avoid it at all costs.
We know it can sometimes be hard to tell if condiments have gone bad, but here are a few signs to look out for in off chamoy:
Rancid Flavor
Taste is the first thing to check when you think your chamoy might have gone off.
It should taste just as delicious as when you opened the jar. If it tastes any different then it’s time to throw it away.
Mold On The Surface
Mold spots are the number two way to tell that your chamoy has gone bad.
It will start as small spots of mold on the surface and slowly spread across the surface the longer you leave it. The mold will be white and grey with spots of blue and green.
Bubbles Running Through The Sauce
Your condiments should never be bubbling so this is an easy visual sign that something is wrong.
When some liquids go off they start to release CO2 bubbles as they decay. If you see any bubbles through the glass or on the surface then it’s time to throw it out.
Chamoy makes it pretty obvious when it has gone off, so keep those few points in mind, and you’ll be in the clear.
Although it won’t make you sick, it will taste too bad to continue eating.
How Long Does Chamoy Last Out of the Fridge?
The premade jarred chamoy can last up to 3 months in a dark, room temperature pantry. [*]
Fresh chamoy will not last more than a few days out of the fridge, so we suggest putting it in the refrigerator as soon as it has cooled in a sealed container.
Do You Need to Refrigerate Chamoy?
Shop Bought Chamoy
No, if you buy store-bought chamoy, you don’t need to refrigerate it because it is shelf-stable.
If you live in a hot country, we suggest putting your chamoy in the fridge during the summer months to protect it from intense heat.
Home Made Chamoy
If you make your own chamoy, it must be refrigerated. It can last in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to a month.
DIY Chamoy
You can definitely make it at home if you can get hold of some of the more obscure ingredients, like the dried hibiscus flowers. We love making fresh condiments when possible, and this one is so delicious you have to try it at least once.
Try looking for dried hibiscus flowers in your grocery store’s tea or spices section.
Here is a quick little recipe for you to try to make your chamoy: [*]
- In a large pot, place 2 cups water, seven dried chilis, ¼ cup dried hibiscus flowers, and ¼ cup raisins, and bring it to a boil.
- Boil for 15 minutes or until the fruit is soft. Remove from the heat.
- Allow the mix to cool slightly before adding it to a blender and roughly blending.
- Next, add ½ cup sugar and blend until smooth.
- Drain through cheesecloth before finally adding ¼ cup lime juice and ¼ teaspoon of salt and mixing through.
- Pour into a sealable jar and enjoy!
Learn more: 12 Ultimate Chamoy Sauce Substitutes for Every Meal
FAQS
Conclusion
Does chamoy go bad? Yes, chamoy does go bad, but the jarred version will last you 90 days out of the fridge. It shouldn’t be hard to get through in that time since it’s so delicious!
A great way to avoid fresh chamoy going bad on your shelves is to make a small batch fresh that will be easy to use in a few servings; this way, you’ll never have spoiled chamoy on your hand again.
We hope this inspires you to make your own chamoy or pick some up from the shops to experience this delectable sauce.
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