How long is opened almond milk good for? (+7 Health benefits)
In this article, we will answer the question “How long is opened almond milk good for?”, and how to store almond milk?
How long is opened almond milk good for?
Store-bought almond milk variety that is shelf-stable will last 7-10 days in the fridge. The store-bought almond milk variety that you buy from the refrigerated section will only stay good for 7-10 days in the fridge. Due to the lack of preservatives, homemade almond milk will only preserve its freshness for 3-4 days in the fridge.
| In the pantry | In the fridge | |
| Almond milk (shelf-stable, unopened) | 1-2 months past the Best-by date | |
| Almond milk(shelf-stable, opened) | 7-10 days | |
| Almond milk (refrigerated, unopened) | 5-7 days past the Use-by date | |
| Almond milk (refrigerated, opened) | 7-10 days | |
| Homemade almond milk | 3-4 days |
How to store almond milk?
Almond milk can be stored the same ways as oat and soy milk. Almond milk usually comes in either unrefrigerated or refrigerated form. Treat unrefrigerated almond milk like unrefrigerated coconut milk and dairy milk.
An unopened carton of unrefrigerated almond milk should be kept in a cool and dark place, away from heat sources like direct sunlight and stovetop. Pantry or kitchen cabinets are good choices for storage.
Once the carton is opened, it should be refrigerated at all times with a tight seal. Refrigerated almond milk should always be stored in the fridge. Do not keep the almond milk carton in the door of the fridge. This area of the fridge suffers the most temperature fluctuations. Homemade almond milk does not have preservatives and must be kept in the fridge at all times.
Can almond milk be frozen?
Almond milk can definitely be frozen for an extended shelf-life. But the texture won’t be the same after thawing. The liquid will separate from the milk solids upon defrosting. While such milk mighty not be suitable for drinking or frozen desserts, it can be used in cooking and baking with no hesitation.
For freezing almond milk, pour it into an ice cube tray. Once the milk is frozen, transfer the cubes into a freezer bag. Squeeze out the air from the bag and chuck it in the freezer. Alternatively, you can skip removing the cubes from the tray. Keep it as is in the freezer. Label the bag and thaw as many cubes as you want at one time.
How to tell If the almond milk has gone bad?
- If the almond milk develops a sour or rancid odor, toss it in the bin.
- If the almond milk has a clumpy texture, it has gone bad.
- In case of any mold growth or discolorations, almond milk should be discarded. A bloated carton is an indication of spoilage, do not consume milk out of such a carton.
Other FAQs about Milk which you may be interested in.
Can I use condensed milk instead of evaporated milk?
How many gallons of milk can a cow produce?
Health benefits of almond milk
Low-calorie drink
As compared to cow milk, almond milk has very less calorie content, thus, plays an important role in weight loss. A cup of unsweetened almond milk only provides 30-50 calories. Do not drink sweetened almond milk variety if you want to lose weight. Because they have a lot of added sugar and do quite the opposite of weight loss.
Low sugar content
As compared to cow milk, whose one cup provides 13g of carbs; predominantly sugars, one cup of almond milk has 1-2g of carbs, most of which is fiber. This only applies to the unsweetened almond milk variety.
High in Vitamin E
Only an ounce of almond milk provides 37% of the DV of Vitamin E, which has excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin e reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. It also improves eye and bone health.
Good source of calcium
Almonds are not naturally rich in calcium. But commercially packaged almond milk is enriched with calcium which improves bone health and prevents arthritis and osteoporosis. Calcium may be added in the form of tricalcium phosphate or calcium carbonate in almond milk.
Enriched with Vitamin D
Vitamin D supports heart health, healthy bones, and immune function. Commercially packaged almond milk is enriched with vitamin D2, aka ergocalciferol. An ounce of store-bought almond milk provides 25 of the DV for vitamin D.
Naturally lactose-free
About 75% of the world’s population is affected by Lactose Intolerance. Lactose intolerant people lack lactase enzymes to digest lactose sugar. Almond milk is naturally lactose-free and makes for a good alternative to regular milk.
Dairy-free and vegan
Among vegans, soy milk and almond milk are two very popular dairy-free milk choices. However, the percentage of people affected by the soy proteins is greater than those affected by the proteins present in almond milk.
Therefore, almond milk is the go-to dairy-free milk alternative that avoids dairy milk due to health issues, environmental or religious reasons.
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “How long is opened almond milk good for?”, and how to store almond milk?
References
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/almond-milk-health-benefits
Does Almond Milk Go Bad? How To Tell If It’s Spoiled?
