- By Bornika Das
- Thu, 20 Mar 2025 07:25 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Signs That Your Achaar Has Gone Bad: Indian pickle also known as achaar is a must-have condiment of the Indian meal. Be it lunch or dinner, an achar by the side of your food will make it taste a lot better. In North India, it is typically made with mustard oil, while in South India it is made with sesame oil. What makes an achaar special is its tangy, sweet and salty heat. Some popular achars namely aam ka achaar, nimbu ka achaar, and others are kitchen staples that are tucked in a jar and stored in a corner of most Indian households. Although achars have a long shelf life, do they not go bad?
Achaars are usually made by fermenting fruits and vegetables with a whole lot of spices, salt and oil. Mainly these ingredients act as preservatives that enable the Indian pickles to have a long shelf life. However, like every other condiment, achaar also goes bad. Little do people understand whether their favourite achaar is good to eat or not. Here’s a list of signs that will tell you that your achaar has gone bad.
How To Understand Whether Achaar Has Gone Bad?
Change In Colour
This is the first sign that will tell you that your achaar has gone bad. Look at the jar of achaar and see if the colour seems a little off or discoloured. It is advisable to take a glance at the jar of achaar during the daylight, in an outdoor setting as you’ll be able to see the real colour. If the achaar appears dull or cloudy it might be the sign of spoilage.
Unusual Taste And Aroma
To confirm the expiry of its shelf life, it is important to check the taste and aroma of the Indian pickle. Give a good sniff and taste a little bit. If you find some unusual aroma and taste, it must be the telltale sign of spoilt achaar. If your achaar tastes something strong with a foul odour, be sure that it has to be discarded.
Appear Soft And Mushy
Achaar has a firm and chunky texture. If the achaar remains in the said texture, then it is good to eat. However, if it turns soft and mushy, it is likely because it has gone bad. Good achaar has a texture that is neither too soft nor too firm.
Achaar Can Go Bad Even Though They Have Long Shelf Life (Image Credits: Canva)
Spot Mold In The Jar
The presence of mold in the pickle jar is a sign that it has gone bad. Mold could be present over the achaar or in the brine. In some cases, it can be spotted immediately, while sometimes, it may appear beneath the achaar pieces. Ensure to give a good mix to the achaar before deciding whether the achaar is good to eat or not.
Bulging Jar Lid
This is another sign that tells that achar has gone bad. This means that there is bacterial activity inside the achaar which has pushed the jar to bulge. Good achaar will have its lid properly tightened, not allowing exposure to air.