eli5: why does salsa go bad so quickly?

Question

my ketchup and hot sauce can last forever but salsa gets moldy within a week in the frig.

In: 0

Answer 1

Salsa should hold for longer than a week, at least two if you’re using fresh ingredients. There’s a fair amount of acid (vinegar/citrus juice) and salt to keep it from molding that quickly.

With ketchup, there’s a ridiculous amount of sugar which acts as a natural growth inhibitor. It draws moisture from its surroundings through osmosis. No available water means no bacterial growth.

With hot sauce, they use vinegar to preserve the peppers. A high acid environment prevents bacterial growth.

Answer 2

Salsa should hold for longer than a week, at least two if you’re using fresh ingredients. There’s a fair amount of acid (vinegar/citrus juice) and salt to keep it from molding that quickly.

With ketchup, there’s a ridiculous amount of sugar which acts as a natural growth inhibitor. It draws moisture from its surroundings through osmosis. No available water means no bacterial growth.

With hot sauce, they use vinegar to preserve the peppers. A high acid environment prevents bacterial growth.