Does almond milk go bad? - The Ultimate Guide

Almond milk is one of the most popular non-dairy milk options, available at almost any store or supermarket. Most people find the taste at least palatable, if not outright palatable, and it’s a relatively cheap and long-lasting alternative to dairy.

If you’ve brought home a wholesale-size box of 1L boxes or opened a single-recipe container and aren’t sure what to do with the rest, the question you’re probably asking is: does almond milk go bad? ?

So does almond milk go bad?

Yes, almond milk goes bad if it’s not stored properly. However, many storable almond milk options can last almost indefinitely under the right circumstances. The secret is in the storage.

In this article, we’ll discuss how and why almond milk can go bad and what to expect if your almond milk hasn’t been stored properly, as well as some helpful tips for storing your almond milk properly and extending its life. useful as much as possible.

Refrigerated Shelf Stable Almond Milk

Not all almond milk comes in aseptic containers that are stable over time, so it must be refrigerated at all times to prevent spoilage. It also won’t have the long shelf life of unopened, shelf-stable almond milk.

If you’re not sure whether almond milk should be refrigerated or not, think about where it was stored in the grocery store when you bought it.

Shelf shelf almond milk is usually in an aisle at room temperature, while refrigerated almond milk will be stored in the refrigerator section of your store.

Should almond milk be refrigerated?

Homemade almond milk should be refrigerated as soon as possible after making it to protect it from bacterial contamination. Store-bought almond milk is somewhat more confusing.

All almond milk should be refrigerated once the container is opened, but not all almond milk should be refrigerated immediately if it has been commercially sealed in a shelf-stable container.

Why are some almond milks not refrigerated?

The stable packaging is designed to extend the life of food products at room temperature. This includes many canned goods, as well as other foods that have been carefully heat-treated or dried and then sealed to prevent any potential pathogens from attaching to the food.

Some almond milks are contained in aseptic containers that allow their conservation. The aseptic packaging is a product container lined with aluminum to protect the contents against light and oxygen, preventing any possible deterioration without the need for refrigeration or preservatives.

The product is separated from the aluminum by an FDA-approved, food-grade polyethylene plastic, which prevents the metal from leaching into the liquid and also hermetically seals the liquid within the container.

The container is filled and sealed in a sterile environment that prevents the entry of any microorganisms.

With all these preventative measures, shelf-stable almond milk does not need to be refrigerated until the seal is broken and the container is opened. At that point, all security measures have been compromised and now you have to rely on refrigeration for preservation.

How to store almond milk

If you have made your own almond milk or purchased refrigerated almond milk, you should store it in the fridge.

Try to avoid placing it on the fridge door, as this area experiences the most fluctuations in temperature and exposure to outside air. Instead, store it on a shelf towards the back of your fridge.

Ideally, you should have an airtight container that seals well to prevent bacteria from getting into the milk and also to help protect it from going rancid or picking up other airborne flavors in your fridge.

If you have unopened shelf-stable almond milk , you can store it in any cool, dry place that’s not directly exposed to light.

It’s also best to keep it in a relatively temperature-controlled environment , as heat fluctuations can slowly affect the quality of your almond milk over time.

How long does almond milk last?

The shelf life of almond milk depends on the type of almond milk you have and how it is stored.

We’ve already discussed the difference between shelf-stable almond milk and refrigerated almond milk, and it’s that distinction that makes the biggest difference in shelf life.

All commercially produced almond milk will have an expiration or best before date stamped on the packaging. This date will give you the best approximation of how long your almond milk will last at its peak freshness.

After this date, the milk may not spoil immediately, but the flavor and texture will start to become less appealing, and the milk may develop an off-flavor.

An open container of shelf-stable almond milk will stay fresh for anywhere from a week to 10 days in your fridge. Refrigerated almond milk will vary more, depending on the packaging process and what preservatives have been used or not.

It can stay fresh for up to a week or as little as 2-3 days.

Homemade almond milk has no preservatives and should be consumed within 3-4 days of making it, at most. 

Almond Milk Duration Table

How to know if almond milk is bad

One of the first signs that your milk has gone bad is that the container expands, swells and looks bloated.

Of course, this is only visible on cardboard or plastic packaging; if you’ve made your own almond milk and stored it in a mason jar, it won’t expand. Expansion occurs when the milk begins to ferment, which is not ideal.

The next obvious clue is a sour or sour smell.  The almond milk should smell a bit nutty and sweet, but if it’s just starting to swirl, it will smell slightly fermented.

Almond milk that looks lumpy or clotted isn’t a good sign either, but it’s not always a sure sign of bad milk. If you shake the almond milk well and there’s no bad smell, it may have just started to separate a bit and it’s still fine.

If all signs point to it being safe at this point, you can do a taste test. If you’re worried, try a little, because you’ll soon notice if it’s too acidic for your taste.

Does almond milk go bad if it is not opened?

Again, the answer to this question depends on whether the almond milk is packaged using preservation processes or not.

If you bought almond milk in the refrigerated section of the supermarket, it’s probably not shelf-stable and will spoil over time, even if it’s unopened. Especially if it is not well refrigerated.

In contrast, shelf-stable almond milk will be safe almost indefinitely, even if it won’t be pleasant forever.

Still, according to the USDA, storable foods can be safely eaten past their expiration or best-before dates, although the quality of the product may not be as high or reliable.

Does almond milk curdle?

Yes, almond milk can curdle, although you’re more likely to notice this when you heat safe, fresh almond milk too quickly and add it to an acidic ingredient or liquid.

Many people choose to swap traditional dairy milk for their specialty coffees and teas , and this can cause almond milk to curdle quickly.

Coffee is acidic enough to curdle almond milk, especially if it is very hot and the almond milk was cold or fresh when added.

To avoid this travesty, heat and froth the almond milk first, then add the coffee to the milk.

Does almond milk go bad if left out?

Yes, if almond milk has been opened it will go bad if not refrigerated. Bacteria and other microorganisms will happily infiltrate the milk starting the fermentation process.

If the almond milk is well fermented, it can be made into kefir, which is a delicious, healthy and safe fermented almond milk.

However, if the almond milk accidentally ferments because various bacteria start to grow in the milk, it will not necessarily be safe or delicious and should be thrown away.

Does almond milk go bad in the heat?

Almond milk doesn’t stay cool if it’s left out in the heat, no. However, it can be safely heated on purpose for cooking, baking (you can try this delicious Pumpkin Pie with Almond Milk), or hot drinks and that won’t necessarily spoil it.

Almond milk burns easily and, as noted above, can curdle if subjected to rapid extreme temperature changes or mixed with an acidic ingredient, but if you cook with it correctly, it can handle heat just fine.

Black spots in almond milk: what does it mean?

Finding something black in your almond milk is not a good sign, especially if it’s from a container of commercially packaged milk.

Although not common, mold can grow inside the milk , creating a black fungus. If this is the case, it is not safe to eat and should be thrown away. To be safe, any almond milk that is black or chunky should be discarded.

If you’ve made your own almond milk, there’s a chance that bits of the outer shell may have gone through the filtering and straining process, but if you don’t have any other bits or bits, then again, it’s probably mold and not must be used.

expired almond milk

Most store-bought almond milk will have a “best before” date rather than a strict expiration date. This is an indication that the manufacturer is not confident in the quality of their almond milk after the date stamped on the package.

How long does almond milk last after expiration date?

If you have opened your almond milk, you will probably have a few days to a week past the expiration date before your milk is noticeably unpleasant to drink. There is quite a bit of variation between brands because the quality will largely depend on whether or not preservatives have been used.

How you store milk also influences how long you can expect it to last beyond the recommended use-by date.

When your milk is past its expiration date, check for visible signs of spoilage and a sour smell coming from the container.

If your eyes and nose feel safe, do a little taste test. If it tastes good, it should be safe to drink.

Unopened Almond Milk Past Expiration Date: Is It Drinkable?

Unopened, shelf-stable almond milk is safe to drink after the expiration date, although if you wait too long, it may not taste as good as you hoped.

Refrigerated almond milk, even if unopened, can spoil if it is too far from the recommended before date.

If it looks, smells, and tastes just right, it’s safe to drink, but if any of your senses notice that something isn’t right, it’s best to throw out the old milk and invest in a new container.

What happens if you drink expired almond milk?

Expired almond milk can make you sick, just like any other spoiled food. The bacteria that can thrive in almond milk are not usually life-threatening unless you have a severely compromised immune system, but they can cause uncomfortable digestive problems and even fever or vomiting if you drink enough.

However, if your almond milk is expired but hasn’t gone bad, nothing will happen. You will be just as safe and healthy after drinking it as before you took it.

Frequently asked questions about almond milk

Is almond milk dairy?

No, almond milk is naturally dairy free. It is made by soaking ground almond flour in water and then filtering and straining it to extract a flavorful, smooth and slightly creamy liquid.

Commercially produced almond milk often also contains preservatives, thickening agents, and possibly other flavorings, but does not contain any animal products.

This makes it not only safe for those who are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy products, but also for strict vegans.

Can almond milk be heated?

Almond milk can be heated and is often used as an alternative to milk in many cooking and baking recipes, and even in specialty coffees.

In most cases, almond milk can be substituted for dairy milk in a 1:1 ratio, although if your recipe calls for a high-fat milk option, the almond milk won’t be as thick or reduce as much. heat it to create a thick liquid.

Instead, if you want to thicken your almond milk, heating it with a thickening agent like cornstarch, flour, or agar agar is a better solution.

If you try to heat the almond milk on its own, you have to be careful. It will burn more easily than traditional dairy products, and overcooking it will alter the flavor, leaving a bitter, burnt-nutty taste in your milk.

What does almond milk taste like?

Almond milk has a very mild almond flavor, but it is nowhere near as strong as eating the nut itself.

It is usually made with raw almonds, which have a mild, sweet flavor. Most commercially produced almond milk will have been filtered and processed, and possibly even sweetened or flavored, so the taste may vary.

Homemade almond milk will have a stronger flavor relationship to raw almonds, but it’s still light and more like a sweet, watery cream than you might expect.