Almond milk is one of the most popular non-dairy milk in the supermarket right now. It is very light in the stomach and will not result in stomach problems after drinking.
But, you need to make sure that you store almond milk the right way to avoid spoiling them, and rendering them useless.
In this article, we’ll tackle how to keep almond milk fresh after buying them from the supermarket or after making them at home.
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Does Almond Milk Need to Be Refrigerated?
Does almond milk have to be refrigerated – The answer will always depend on what kind of almond milk are you going to store.
When you want to preserve the ones you bought at the grocery store, then it is only necessary for them to be refrigerated once they are opened.
This means that you can put them in the pantry or cabinet first when it’s not yet time to use them. Once you open them, it is suggested that you chill them until you finish drinking the whole carton.
However, the same does not apply to homemade almond milk. In the latter, you need to put them in the fridge at all times so they will not go bad after a day or two of sitting at room temperature.
What Can I Use Instead of Fridge?
Depending on the setting, a fridge is not always available in the places we go to or stay at, so having alternatives are always a must.
Enjoy your favorite smoothies even longer with this guide to freezing them made with almond milk!
One of the most popular ways to store almond milk is to use coolers (semi-insulated containers where you put blocks of ice or ice cubes to preserve the cold temperature of food and beverages).
This is a very good alternative for a fridge at a picnic, but you need to buy ice to make sure that the almond milk stays cold.
How Long Can Almond Milk Go Unrefrigerated?
Unrefrigerated almond milk (if unopened) will last three (3) to four (4) weeks even after the date printed on the package. On the other hand, once you open an almond milk carton, you only have a few hours left to drink it when not stored in the fridge.
Will a Flask Keep Milk Cold?
Yes, vacuum-insulated stainless steel flasks or thermos flasks can keep milk cold. However, this is only recommended when you don’t have a fridge at home or at the place you want to store your milk. The stainless steel will preserve the temperature of the liquid stored inside, especially when it is sealed and not opened every minute or so.
There are a lot of flasks you can buy online or in-store with different kinds of sizes depending on your necessity. If you will bring milk to your workplace and would like to maintain its temperature, then one liter (1L) of vacuum-insulated stainless steel flasks will be sufficient.
Refrigerated vs. Shelf-Stable Almond Milk
There are 2 types of almond milk sold in local stores and supermarkets; They are shelf-stable (long life) that do not require refrigeration until opened. The other is almond milk which must be kept in a fridge.
Typically the key difference between the two types of almond milk is the containers and how they are put into the containers. The shelf-stable is processed in a special building that is air-positive and extremely sterile environment and containers. Furthermore, the containers are also completely lightproof. The result of manufacturing almond milk this way is that it does not need to be refrigerated until it is opened. Furthermore, This type of almond milk is made by using heat-free processing method. It is often more expensive than regular almond milk but it lasts longer.
Do I need to refrigerate almond milk?
Yes, almond milk should be refrigerated. Plus, there are some other things you need to know about storing almond milk. Here are some tips:
- Do not leave it out for more than 2 hours
- Always put the top on
- Do not combine one milk with another
You can add honey if you want to sweeten it.
How Long Does Almond Milk Last?
Almond milk that is shelf-stable typically can last for one year; It will have a date prominently stamped on the container.
Almond milk that you buy in the fridge usually has a week until the expiry date comes to an end.
Once both types of almond milk are opened the milk will last for approximately one week.
What are the Signs that Almond Milk is Spoiled
Almond milk doesn’t go bad as quickly as other types of milk. You can store it for a longer time than usual.
Here are the top signs that Almond Milk is Spoiled
Is almond milk OK if not refrigerated?
If the almond milk is not refrigerated, you should consume it within 2 hours as bacteria can start to grow after that time.
Why is some almond milk not refrigerated?
Almond milk has become very popular over the years. People use it to make smoothies, oatmeal, and other beverages. Unfortunately, it can spoil quickly. To prevent this from happening, it needs to be kept cold. But some almond milk is known as a long-life almond milk, and it is shelf stable and does not need to be refrigerated.