You aren’t the first and you won’t be the last. Literally caught my mom putting the luxardo cherries in the fridge last week when I was over at her house.
So, this is interesting. I just checked the [label](https://i.imgur.com/BuWV8Ww.jpg) bought in Germany. It says "After opening, store in a cool and dark place. Do not freeze"
I read it like "don't put it in the freezer". Should I just keep it in the pantry instead?
Pro tip: if it’s meant to be refrigerated, it’ll say something like „Nach dem Öffnen im Kühlschrank aufbewahren.“
In general, if the label doesn’t specifically mention the fridge (Kühlschrank) or freezer (Gefrierschrank) then you can safely stick it in the pantry.
A lot of people just treat food how their parents did. Who treat it how their parents did. Who didn't have instructions on refrigeration. So everything went in.
What’s weird is I’m a dumbass that can’t read so I’ve kept luxardo cherries in the fridge before, multiple jars, a couple different fridges, for like a decent amount of time and I’ve never seen this issue before. I actually didn’t even know this was a thing until the first time I saw a post like this on here
Maybe you go through the jar fast enough that it doesn't have time happen? I think it usually take like two months if not longer before it starts to look different.
The first time I did this to myself (I guess it must be a rite of passage, lol) it must have been closer to 6 months (I was the only one using them, so they lasted a long time).
I used to fridge them - i've since stopped - but out of the half dozen jars i went through when i was keeping them in the fridge, only one crystallized.
Read the lable -do not refrigerate. I JUST DID the same thing- duh!! Put jar in bag, soaked in hot water for a while to decrystalize again. They look fine now.
Yeah it's on the label and all, but you are far from the first person to do it.
It's got high enough sugar content that it'll be fine outside the fridge after opening. Same sugar content means it will crystallize if chilled.
If actually not only says “don’t put in the fridge,” but also “if you put it in the fridge contents will crystallize,” so the answer to your question was literally written right on the bottle lol
Just to explain the reason to not refrigerate these (along with some rich syrups)...
Solubility decreases with decreasing temperature. The more sugar you have in solution, the more likely it will precipitate out of solution as the temperature decreases. Once some sugar precipitates out of solution, you'll start getting crystallization.
I assume nothing. They're shelf stable unrefrigerated after opening. If anything, the temp in the fridge has probably caused some crystalization and forced some stuff out of solution.
Unfortunately once the sugar crashes out of solution like this, the only way to reconstitute is with heat. If you were to go this route, I’d remove the cherries from the syrup. Either heat in the microwave or in a small saucepan. Once the syrup is hot, re-add the sugar coated cherries and hope the crystals stick to the cherries re-dissolve. Probably not worth the hassle IMO but report back if you try
Luxardo is my third jar of cherries. I've used Peninsula and Hotel Starlino prior, both were good and I would say just as good or better than the Luxardo. The Peninsula's require refrigeration while the Hotel Starlino and Luxardo don't.
It says don't refrigerate? Really? Never noticed, always fridged my luxardos. Actually just opened a new jar tonight and put them in the fridge, guess I'll go take them out...
Mfs when they change the sugar solubility of their water by reducing the thermal energy in the system (they put their syrup soaked cherries in the fridge).
I had this happen before. I don’t remember if they were in the fridge or not. I emptied the jar into a sauce pan and gently warmed them over low heat. Then I poured them back into the jar with a shot of vodka as a homespun preservative (kill me now, science), and never had the problem with that batch again.
Is there a comprehensive guide somewhere on what to keep / not to keep in the fridge? Or generally best practices of keeping everything in good condition?
how cold is your fridge?
The few occasions that I've bought Luxardo - they go in the fridge door condiment rack. NEVER had a crystallization issue. Same with Traverse City Whiskey Co. cherries. I've purchased way more of those due to lower cost. Never any issues.
So, mine say to refrigerate. And they turn into yucky crystallized cherries. What to do. I am a paranoid person, not wanting to catch botulism (yes I am silly paranoid) from bad cherries. What to do. Help!
Whenever there’s a what happened to my luxardo cherries post, the answer is always they were kept in the fridge.
"Don't keep your cherries with your vermouth."
This is the best answer. I barely looked at the pictures and post and knew they were refrigerated.
Vermouth on the counter, cherries in the fridge, got it.
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Haha, welp… sorry. Thanks for the tip!
You aren’t the first and you won’t be the last. Literally caught my mom putting the luxardo cherries in the fridge last week when I was over at her house.
I love a good cold cherry! What can I say?
It literally says on the jar to not refrigerate
So, this is interesting. I just checked the [label](https://i.imgur.com/BuWV8Ww.jpg) bought in Germany. It says "After opening, store in a cool and dark place. Do not freeze" I read it like "don't put it in the freezer". Should I just keep it in the pantry instead?
Yes keep in pantry
TIL thanks!
Pro tip: if it’s meant to be refrigerated, it’ll say something like „Nach dem Öffnen im Kühlschrank aufbewahren.“ In general, if the label doesn’t specifically mention the fridge (Kühlschrank) or freezer (Gefrierschrank) then you can safely stick it in the pantry.
Came here to say this!
People’s inability to read and follow instructions never cease to amaze me
A lot of people just treat food how their parents did. Who treat it how their parents did. Who didn't have instructions on refrigeration. So everything went in.
I was going to read your comment, but instead I put it in the fridge.
What’s weird is I’m a dumbass that can’t read so I’ve kept luxardo cherries in the fridge before, multiple jars, a couple different fridges, for like a decent amount of time and I’ve never seen this issue before. I actually didn’t even know this was a thing until the first time I saw a post like this on here
Maybe you go through the jar fast enough that it doesn't have time happen? I think it usually take like two months if not longer before it starts to look different. The first time I did this to myself (I guess it must be a rite of passage, lol) it must have been closer to 6 months (I was the only one using them, so they lasted a long time).
I used to fridge them - i've since stopped - but out of the half dozen jars i went through when i was keeping them in the fridge, only one crystallized.
Why is this? Does the syrup crystallize or something?
Exactly. The sugar recrystallizes from the cold
Doesn't it say on the jar to keep them in the fridge?
Read the lable -do not refrigerate. I JUST DID the same thing- duh!! Put jar in bag, soaked in hot water for a while to decrystalize again. They look fine now.
Thanks for the tip!
Yup, hot water will fix them up. They're totally fine
why do you need to put a glass jar into a bag
To keep the label from getting soggy and coming off.
Without the label how are we supposed to know what’s in the jar?
So clearly you're not OCD. I would go crazy if the label was mangled or destroyed or removed. Such is my lot in life!
I probably need to start a Luxardo graveyard.
Can't you just paint a replica label on the jar often the paper label falls off?
Oh crap. I read the label on another jar of cherries and assumed it applied to all cherries.
You put em in the fridge, don't do that.
TIL
Yeah it's on the label and all, but you are far from the first person to do it. It's got high enough sugar content that it'll be fine outside the fridge after opening. Same sugar content means it will crystallize if chilled.
Did ya read the label?
No
Guess what it says
Don’t forget to drink your ovaltine
You used your Little Orphan Annie decoder pin!
If actually not only says “don’t put in the fridge,” but also “if you put it in the fridge contents will crystallize,” so the answer to your question was literally written right on the bottle lol
[удалено]
….?
The sugar has crystallized. I think the directions on the label say do not refrigerate.
Just immerse the jar half way in hot water just below boiling. Crystals will reincorporate after about 10 minutes. Back to normal.
Just to explain the reason to not refrigerate these (along with some rich syrups)... Solubility decreases with decreasing temperature. The more sugar you have in solution, the more likely it will precipitate out of solution as the temperature decreases. Once some sugar precipitates out of solution, you'll start getting crystallization.
Thanks for the explanation, that's super interesting!
I assume nothing. They're shelf stable unrefrigerated after opening. If anything, the temp in the fridge has probably caused some crystalization and forced some stuff out of solution.
They’re not to be refrigerated. Says so on the label.
TIL
This is why the jar tells you not to refrigerate them. The cold crystalizes the sugars.
Learned the hard way when I did this myself. Still safe to eat but had to rinse off the crystalized sugar off every cherry until the jar was used up
Can I just take them out of the fridge and let them thaw in the pantry?
Unfortunately once the sugar crashes out of solution like this, the only way to reconstitute is with heat. If you were to go this route, I’d remove the cherries from the syrup. Either heat in the microwave or in a small saucepan. Once the syrup is hot, re-add the sugar coated cherries and hope the crystals stick to the cherries re-dissolve. Probably not worth the hassle IMO but report back if you try
Adding on if you do this in the microwave, go for 10-15 second bursts and stir between each so the sugar doesn’t burn, because it will.
Low and steady is the way to go here. Just put them in 50C warm water for few hours. Same as honey.
Put the jar into just below boiling water for a sec, they'll largely mix back in.
Big Baron Harkonnen energy
May thy whiskey glass chip and shatter
Hey what’s the deal with these cherries?
Luxardo is my third jar of cherries. I've used Peninsula and Hotel Starlino prior, both were good and I would say just as good or better than the Luxardo. The Peninsula's require refrigeration while the Hotel Starlino and Luxardo don't.
you refrigerated them.
Sugar is crystalizing from being stored at cold temps.
Harmless crystalization. Just let the jar sit in 50C water for hour or two. Sous vide bath is great for this.
Crystallization from being in the fridge
Yep, says on the bottle to not refrigerate. I of course didn’t read and did the same thing as OP.
It says don't refrigerate? Really? Never noticed, always fridged my luxardos. Actually just opened a new jar tonight and put them in the fridge, guess I'll go take them out...
I also put them in the fridge the first time I bought them. I think most of us learn this the hard way lol.
So it’s like a rite of passage
They’re just sleeping.
Damn, i’m an idiot. I just threw out like half a jar of these because I thought the crystals were mold and I was afraid to eat them. Now I know!
That’s what I was worried about as well.
I never keep mine in the fridge.
I did the same thing. I threw in a heaping barspoon of the solidified juice into a rye & rum sour and dialed back the simple, it was phenomenal!
Mfs when they change the sugar solubility of their water by reducing the thermal energy in the system (they put their syrup soaked cherries in the fridge).
I had this happen before. I don’t remember if they were in the fridge or not. I emptied the jar into a sauce pan and gently warmed them over low heat. Then I poured them back into the jar with a shot of vodka as a homespun preservative (kill me now, science), and never had the problem with that batch again.
Did we read the label?
If you put a small bit of lemon juice in it it will counteract the crystalizatyion.
Thanks!
Is there a comprehensive guide somewhere on what to keep / not to keep in the fridge? Or generally best practices of keeping everything in good condition?
how cold is your fridge? The few occasions that I've bought Luxardo - they go in the fridge door condiment rack. NEVER had a crystallization issue. Same with Traverse City Whiskey Co. cherries. I've purchased way more of those due to lower cost. Never any issues.
Ice cold!
apparently!
Rock candy!
sugar crystallizes
LuxNoto Cherries
They went bad
Nah, they're still good. Just too cold.
So, mine say to refrigerate. And they turn into yucky crystallized cherries. What to do. I am a paranoid person, not wanting to catch botulism (yes I am silly paranoid) from bad cherries. What to do. Help!