Almond milk can last for about seven days if refrigerated, but it’s best to consume it sooner rather than later. Stored almond milk will lose its quality over time. So, it’s important to refrigerate it as soon as possible to prevent it from spoiling.
Any open container of almond milk, whether refrigerated or shelf-safe that has been out for a long time will spoil. Your milk will quickly become contaminated by bacteria and other microbes, and the fermentation process will begin. Your almond milk becomes sour as a result of this.
Why does Almond Milk Go Bad in 7 Days?
The shelf life of your almond milk will ultimately be determined by the variety of almond milk you’ve purchased and how you store it.
Once the box is opened, you usually have about seven days to drink all the milk before it goes bad. This is because oxygen gets in when you open the container, allowing bacteria to grow.
Shelf-Stable Almond Milk Degrades in Quality
Shelf-stable almond milk is a dairy-free alternative to regular milk. It has a long shelf life of up to a year. However, once opened, its quality degrades in about seven days. To prolong its shelf life, almond milk is best kept in the refrigerator or a dark, cool place.
Shelf-stable almond milk doesn’t need refrigeration before opening, but you must keep it in the refrigerator to maintain its quality. This is necessary because the safety measures in the package are weakened when you open the package. It is best to store shelf-stable almond milk in the back of the refrigerator.
Shelf-stable almond milk is safe to keep in the fridge for three to four weeks after opening. Keep it refrigerated to maintain freshness and flavor. However, if you want to make almond milk, you should consider freezing it to extend its shelf life. It will stay fresher and taste better than a pasteurized brand.
Shelf-stable almond milk contains the functionally active component of vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol, a powerful antioxidant that protects the body against free-radical reactions. It also contains high amounts of calcium, magnesium, selenium, potassium, copper, and zinc. Additionally, almonds have prebiotic properties. The pectic substances in the cell walls contain arabinose, which contributes to the prebiotic properties of almond milk.
Does Almond Milk Need to be Refrigerated?
Refrigerated Almond Milk Tastes Fresher
Refrigerated almond milk is much more delicious and fresh than shelf-stable varieties. Refrigerated almond milk will last longer than shelf-stable varieties, but it will still go bad at some point. Stored almond milk should be stored in a cool, dry place away from heat sources, such as the oven or microwave.
Almond milk stored in the refrigerator keeps for three to four days. However, if it is opened, the shelf-stable version will lose its freshness in less than that time. Besides, almond milk is packed with nutrients, making it a healthy alternative to regular milk. It contains high amounts of vitamin E, zinc, fiber, manganese, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc.
Almond milk sold in refrigerated departments of grocery stores is pasteurized, so it is free from bacteria and germs. However, refrigerated almond milk must be stored at all times, as the almond milk will spoil in as little as a week if not opened. For this reason, it is important to drink almond milk within seven days of purchase.
It is important to note that almond milk may have a lumpy consistency and should be shaken vigorously before drinking it. In addition, almond milk should be free of any black stains. Any black spots on the product are usually a sign of fungus or mold, which can harm your health.
How can You Tell if Almond Milk is Bad?
Signs of Spoiled Almond Milk
It’s important to detect signs of spoiled almond milk, including a rancid smell and clumpy texture. In addition to the odor, the consistency should also be thicker and clumpier than usual. Although a sour odor or clumpiness does not necessarily mean that almond milk has gone bad, it is a sign that it should be thrown out.
Almond milk loses its nutty and fresh smell when it becomes spoiled. You can identify this by smelling the milk and checking its consistency. When it starts to develop a thick, lumpy consistency, it’s time to discard it. However, if the milk still smells fresh, don’t throw it away.
While it’s easy to detect spoiled dairy milk by its sour smell and appearance, spoiled almond milk is a little trickier. Unlike dairy milk, nut milk tends to separate solids, and it can be hard to determine if it’s spoiled. But it’s still best to avoid buying milk that has passed its use-by date. Milk that’s gone bad has bacteria growing in it and will smell sour and have a bad odor.
The milk may be lumpy or curdled. The color will also change. The almonds may also have clumped. If the milk has been left out for too long, it’s probably already past its prime. The reason why almond milk goes bad is that bacteria and microorganisms get into it. They then cause the milk to begin fermenting. The resulting smell is another sign that your almond milk has gone bad.
Can Expired Almond Milk Cause Disease?
If the almond milk isn’t spoiled, consuming it after its expiration won’t have any negative effects. Bacteria in spoilt milk may bring on only little discomfort lasting several hours. With food poisoning symptoms, including cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, there is also a chance of stomach issues.
How Should you Store Almond Milk to Keep it Fresh?
Do what the store does when storing almond milk as a general rule. Both store-bought and homemade almond milk should be kept in the fridge from the beginning. You can put cartons that don’t go bad on the shelf in the pantry or a cupboard until you need them. But once opened, these must also be put in the fridge.
Because storing almond milk wrong can shorten its shelf life, it is important to keep the same conditions.
Try these easy ways to store almond milk to keep it as fresh as possible and keep all of its nutrients:
Keep your cartons away from the fridge door because the temperature changes when the door opens and closes. Instead, keep almond milk in the back of your fridge, where the temperature is cooler and more stable. Please put it in the back of the fridge; thanks.
Unopened shelf-stable cartons should be kept where the temperature is controlled. Please stay away from places that can get too hot because that can make the milk go bad before you even open it. Check the package for instructions on how to store it.
Keep the seal on the carton tight. This will keep oxygen out, which will stop bacteria from growing.
After Seven Days, can I Still Drink Almond Milk?
You have around seven to ten days to consume shelf-stable almond milk once it is opened, and it can be kept at room temperature (as long as the open container is kept in the fridge). This period is merely a guide; the milk may still be perfectly safe to consume after those days have elapsed.
How Long can Almond Milk be Left Out?
According to the official advice, you should discard any perishable foods left out for longer than two hours at room temperature. If the temperature rises above 90°F (or 32°C), that time frame is reduced to 1 hour.
Naturally, those times only apply to almond milk refrigerated or opened shelf-stable milk.
Whether you adhere strictly to these suggestions or not is up to you. In other words, if your almond milk is left on the counter for two hours and five minutes, it should be fine.
If you unintentionally left almond milk out overnight, throw it away even if it appears to be fine.
Does Almond Milk Curdle?
Almond milk can curdle, but the chances are higher when fresh almond milk is heated too quickly or mixed with an acidic substance like lemon or vinegar. When added to hot tea or coffee, almond milk may also curdle, especially if the beverage is hot.
There’s a chance that your almond milk has gone bad if it appears lumpy inside the container or when you decant it as a single ingredient. Shake the container vigorously to be sure. It is best to assume that something is no longer safe to eat if it still appears curdled.
What does Almond Milk Taste Like?
Almond milk doesn’t taste too much like almonds, which is a surprise. It tastes like nuts but isn’t nearly as strong as nuts. This is because raw almonds make almond milk instead of almonds that have already been roasted.
Some brands also add sweeteners or flavors to almond milk to make it taste better, but this rarely makes it taste more like almonds.
Conclusion
If the label doesn’t make it clear whether or not the almond milk you purchased can be kept on the shelf for an extended period, you might consider the section of the store in which it was located. Keep it in the refrigerator if it was purchased from the refrigerated department.
