Anonymous
Post 11/22/2021 12:34     Subject: Left organic, sugar free jam out for a few days in the pantry
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:



Microbiologist here.

If there's no visible mold, you're fine. There's nothing to smell here, since mold will grow before harmful bacteria.

Do a careful visual inspection, including the lid. Sometimes mold grows on the lid first, for some reason.






Coming back to add: mold grows on the surface of jams and jellies, unless the content has been disturbed and there's a huge air pocket inside. So you could, conceivably, carefully scrape the top layer, and eat the rest, if you're extra worried. My husband has been known to find moldy jam, scrape out the mold, and eat the layer below... without ill effects, but then he has the stomach of a rhinoceros.


Thank you so much! This is so helpful!!
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2021 12:22     Subject: Left organic, sugar free jam out for a few days in the pantry
How did all of you make it to adulthood? The number of "can I eat this" questions on DCUM astound me.

If it looks and smells fine, it is fine. Esp something like Jam.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2021 11:38     Subject: Left organic, sugar free jam out for a few days in the pantry
That's what I would do if there's no visible mold, scrape off the top layer exposed to air and discard that, but eat the main product.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2021 10:50     Subject: Left organic, sugar free jam out for a few days in the pantry
Anonymous wrote:



Microbiologist here.

If there's no visible mold, you're fine. There's nothing to smell here, since mold will grow before harmful bacteria.

Do a careful visual inspection, including the lid. Sometimes mold grows on the lid first, for some reason.






Coming back to add: mold grows on the surface of jams and jellies, unless the content has been disturbed and there's a huge air pocket inside. So you could, conceivably, carefully scrape the top layer, and eat the rest, if you're extra worried. My husband has been known to find moldy jam, scrape out the mold, and eat the layer below... without ill effects, but then he has the stomach of a rhinoceros.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2021 10:47     Subject: Left organic, sugar free jam out for a few days in the pantry
I’d toss it.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2021 10:46     Subject: Left organic, sugar free jam out for a few days in the pantry




Microbiologist here.

If there's no visible mold, you're fine. There's nothing to smell here, since mold will grow before harmful bacteria.

Do a careful visual inspection, including the lid. Sometimes mold grows on the lid first, for some reason.




Anonymous
Post 11/22/2021 10:44     Subject: Left organic, sugar free jam out for a few days in the pantry
If it's in a sealed vacuum packed jar, it'll be shelf stable and fine left out. If it's just got a lid on it, but the jar won't "pop" when first opened, then it should be kept in the fridge. Taste it and check for mold, if it's fine, then try to eat it quickly since it will be faster to mold now.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2021 10:40     Subject: Left organic, sugar free jam out for a few days in the pantry
Borrowing this thread to ask - I got homemade plum jam from a small town market in England two years ago - unopened. do you think it's still good?
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2021 10:24     Subject: Re:Left organic, sugar free jam out for a few days in the pantry
Anonymous wrote:How can it be organic and sugar free?

I would think sugar would make it more likely to spoil, not less, but if you mean something like agave I wouldn’t know.


Sugar is a preservative. It's added to jams, not just for taste, but because it prevents or slows the growth of bacteria and molds.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2021 10:19     Subject: Left organic, sugar free jam out for a few days in the pantry
Opened jam or jelly will generally keep at least 6 months refrigerated and up to 30 days unrefrigerated.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2021 09:46     Subject: Re:Left organic, sugar free jam out for a few days in the pantry
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:How can it be organic and sugar free?

I would think sugar would make it more likely to spoil, not less, but if you mean something like agave I wouldn’t know.

Don’t you know what organic means?


That PP seemed... very confused.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2021 09:34     Subject: Re:Left organic, sugar free jam out for a few days in the pantry
Anonymous wrote:How can it be organic and sugar free?

I would think sugar would make it more likely to spoil, not less, but if you mean something like agave I wouldn’t know.

Don’t you know what organic means?
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2021 07:35     Subject: Left organic, sugar free jam out for a few days in the pantry
Anonymous wrote:Taste it and then if it tastes good..eat it. The whole reason jam was invented was to preserve fresh fruit for a longer period of time than it would otherwise spoil.


+1
Most of these no sugar organic jams have some added organic fruit juice added to up the sweetness. While it won't work the same way pure sugar does, it will definitely help with preservation. So try it!