Before throwing it away, it’s essential to know when your almond milk is wrong. While most dairy kinds of milk don’t go wrong for more than a few days, almond milk can lose its flavor and quality over time. The signs of spoiled almonds include a clumpy, sour smell or even a bloated carton. Fortunately, there are easy ways to spot the signs of spoiled almond milk before they get out of control.
One of the easiest ways to tell if your almond milk is wrong is by its smell. If it smells pungent or sour, it probably has gone wrong. Another good way to tell if your almond milk is wrong: it will clump up and look strange, and it will have a foul smell and may look like cottage cheese. You will also notice that it won’t smell right, either.
What Is Almond Milk?
Almond milk is plant-based milk prepared from almonds, as the name suggests. This non-dairy milk has a creamy texture and a nutty flavor. Almond milk, unlike dairy milk, does not contain lactose, saturated fat, or cholesterol. You may believe that almond milk has only been available for a short time. On the other hand, this drink dates back to the 12th century. Isn’t it shocking? Almond milk was drunk by Muslims and Christians during fasting seasons in the 12th and 13th centuries.
How Can You Tell If Your Almond Milk Is Bad?
To begin, the telltale indications differ depending on whether the almond milk is fresh or professionally produced. If you prepared your almond milk or purchased a bottle of fresh almond milk from a small producer, you only have five to seven days before it starts to smell weird and clump together. When it reaches this point, you’ll be able to tell.
Almond milk sold in stores is frequently ultra-pasteurized, and this indicates it was fast cooked to 280°F and then immediately cooled, extending the shelf life. If it’s a refrigerated carton, it’s generally recommended that you consume it within seven days of opening it. If it’s shelf-stable almond milk that can be kept at room temperature until opened, you’ll have roughly seven to ten days to drink it after it’s been opened (as long as the open container is kept in the fridge).
How To Store Almond Milk Properly?
Put your almond milk in the back of your fridge, where the temperature is the most excellent and most consistent, to help it last as long as possible. It will be kept fresh thanks to the controlled temperature.
Oh, and if your milk separates (typical with fresh milk), that doesn’t indicate it’s gone wrong; shake it up, and it’ll be fine to drink. It’s time to dump it if it’s still thick after shaking.
Even though it may appear that storing almond milk is as easy as ABC, the truth is that you must always be aware of the drink’s type and shelf life. It’s possible that chilling or freezing this non-dairy milk won’t always solve your problem.
Last but not least, pay close attention to the colors, texture, flavor, and odor of your almond milk. Even though the drink is still within its expiration date, it can spoil. There’s no way to save ruined milk, so don’t put your health in danger by drinking it.
How Can Almond Milk Be Made to Last Longer?
Now that you know that almond milk does, sadly, go wrong, I’m sure you’d like some pointers on how to make this drink last longer.
Again, you must first consider the sort of almond milk you have: shelf-stable or refrigerated, before deciding how to keep it.
You only need to keep unopened shelf-stable (non-refrigerated) almond milk in a cool, dark place. Whatever you do, please keep it away from any heat sources and direct sunshine.
This means that unopened shelf-stable almond milk can be stored in areas like pantries or kitchen cabinets. However, once you’ve opened the carton, you should immediately place it in the refrigerator.
If you buy chilled almond milk (milk offered in the refrigerated section), you’ll need to put it in the fridge right away when you arrive home. Leaving refrigerated milk out at room temperature increases the chance of it deteriorating quickly.
Because homemade almond milk does not include any preservatives, it must be kept chilled at all times.
How Do You Know If Your Almond Milk Has Been Spoiled?
While the date on the package may indicate that you have a few weeks left, the intense scent of the milk may indicate otherwise. But. Isn’t it still drinkable? Let’s see if we can figure out how to detect if your almond milk has gone wrong.
1. The Smell
The scent is one of the most obvious symptoms that almond milk has gone sour. The drink will lose its nutty and fresh aroma once it has soured.
The smell of almond milk is the easiest way to tell if it’s terrible. It should be sweet and have a smooth texture. However, if it smells pungent or has a strong odor, it’s likely to be spoiled. It should be discarded. Otherwise, it’s safe to use. If it’s sour, it means that it has turned sour. The taste should be sweet.
Take a whiff of your milk; does it have a sour odor? Does it have a strong odor? Is there a difference in scent between this and almond milk? If you answered yes, it’s time to get rid of it.
Almond milk should smell sweet, and it should never smell spicy or sour. The consistency should be smooth and creamy, and it should not have any lumps or curds. If the almond milk looks or smells bad, you should throw it away. It should not be sour or taste sour. If it tastes sour, it is probably wrong. And if the milk has a thick texture, it’s already gone bad.
One of the most common signs of spoiled almond milk is its smell, and it should be nutty in scent, but it can also be spicy or sour. Spoiled almond milk will have a thick, clumpy texture and smell like a banana. The milk texture should be smooth and creamy, and neither should it have a sour or pungent odor.
2. The Taste
So, assuming the smell isn’t offensive, you can take a small sip of your milk. If the milk has a sour or bitter flavor, it’s time to say goodbye to this carton of milk. The last sign of sour almond milk is its taste. While it should not have an odor, it should have a thick, clumpy consistency. A thick or curdled consistency means that the milk is likely past its prime and should be discarded. It should not taste off-putting, and it shouldn’t be clumped. If you’re worried about consuming spoiled almond milk, make sure to refrigerate it properly and use it as soon as possible.
3. The Color Scheme
Naturally, not everyone has the fortitude to drink potentially spoilt milk; I don’t either. That is why I always look at the drink to see whether it has discoloration. For example, if the milk has turned murky, this is a warning indicator. The color of almond milk is another vital sign. If it’s yellow, it’s spoiled and should be thrown out. If it looks odd, it’s spoiled. It will clump up, which is similar to cottage cheese. It will also be unappetizing and won’t smell right. So, if you’re unsure whether your almond milk is sour, try a small amount first and see what happens.
4. Bulges
If there are a few lumps in your almond milk, you may be sure it is no longer fresh. However, thawed almond milk (frozen milk that has been removed from the freezer) may have a few lumps. Give the milk a vigorous shake before drinking it in this scenario.
5. Black Spots
Food and drinks with black blotches are usually a no-no. Any rational person would know that if your meal develops unusual black spots, you should discard it, especially if you don’t want to end up in the hospital.
Almond milk should be treated the same way. When black spots emerge on your drink, it signifies it has been tainted by fungus and mold, and the contamination could be significant enough to cause serious health problems if swallowed.
6. Unusually Bloated Package
You can be 99.99 percent certain that the milk has gone wrong if the package is delicate one day and swollen the next. Even if the carton hasn’t been opened, an inflated packet indicates that the drink is no longer edible.
Is It Possible To Consume Toxic Almond Milk?
If you consume rotten almond milk, you’ll get food poisoning just like any other milk. Even though it contains fewer bacteria than dairy milk, bacterial spores might increase if the container is left exposed. This is why you should keep almond milk refrigerated and handle it with care.
Conclusion
The last thing you want to do is buy almond milk that’s past its expiration date. You can’t just rely on the “best by” date to tell if your almond milk is sour. But it is worth it to pay close attention to the label. If you notice that the almonds have turned sour, you should throw them away. It’s a good idea to use up any remaining almond milk within five to seven days. The best way to tell if your almond milk is wrong is by sniffing it. The smell of the milk should be sweet. The color should not smell or look bad. You should also check if the almond milk has a sour or spicy taste. In addition, it should be off-white and smell fresh. If it doesn’t have a pleasant odor, it’s spoiled.
