In the past few years, cow’s milk alternatives made from plants, like soy milk, have become increasingly popular. One of the most important things about soy milk is knowing how to store soy milk correctly.
With incorrect storage techniques, soy milk goes bad and is unsafe to consume. Fortunately, learning how to preserve soy milk is very straightforward and does not require any additional special ingredients.
In this article, we answer your pressing questions like, “How long does soy milk last?” and “How do I store soy milk?”
How is Soy Milk Made?
The main difference between dairy milk and milk alternatives like coconut milk, rice milk, almond milk, and fresh soy milk is lactose. Dairy products like ice cream and cheese contain lactose, which is the sugar ingredient in milk.
The human body uses lactase to break down lactose, and if you have low levels of lactase, dairy products cause intestinal discomfort.
Whether you make homemade soy milk or purchase it from the grocery store, you must understand the importance of adequately storing soy milk.
Buying soy milk has several advantages. Perhaps the most significant benefit soy milk has over regular cow’s milk is that it stays fresh when stored at room temperature, allowing you to save space in your fridge.
Soy milk is also an excellent milk substitute for a gluten allergy, as most soy milk is gluten-free. Traditionally, soy milk is made by letting soybeans soak in water overnight.
The manufacturers then grind the beans, water, and other ingredients to make shelf-stable soy milk that you purchase at your local grocery store.
How to Store Soy Milk at Room Temperature
A terrific way to store fresh soy milk is at room temperature. To store soy milk at room temperature correctly, you must leave the product unopened so harmful bacteria do not grow. Soy or almond milk shelf life is the longest at room temperature.
Opened soy milk cannot stay fresh at room temperature, as the oxygen in the air causes mold growth and other harmful microorganisms to accumulate.
Keep shelf-stable soy milk in a pantry or any other location that is cool, dark, and away from direct sunlight. Unopened soy milk is particularly sensitive to rising temperature fluctuations, so it is vital to keep it away from a heat source.
Storing soy milk that is sealed has about an eight-month shelf life at room temperature, another benefit of soy milk over cow’s milk.
Storing Soy Milk in the Refrigerator
After you open the container, store soy milk in the fridge for the milk alternative’s optimal taste and consistency. The refrigeration process slows the rate at which bacteria grows because of the cool temperatures it provides. Learning how to store soy milk in the fridge is simple.
Does soy milk expire? Opened soy milk usually lasts between seven and ten days in the refrigerator. One way to identify if your soy milk is fresh is to locate the expiry date on the carton.
However, if you have kept your soy milk in dry storage for several months, the expiration date will not be of much help. For the best nutritional value, keep open soy milk in the fridge for a maximum of ten days. The same is true for most types of milk, including condensed milk storage.
How to Preserve Soy Milk in Your Freezer
Freezing portions of soy milk is a fantastic way to preserve the milk substitute for up to an entire year. The rate at which spoilage occurs slows when soy milk remains in the freezer.
Although this storage method allows you to preserve soy milk for a long time, only use the frozen soy milk for recipes, as the consistency and taste are not quite the same after thawing.
If you are wondering where to store soy milk in the freezer, utilize airtight containers at the back of the appliance. An airtight container blocks oxygen, effectively preventing harmful bacteria from entering the container.
After transferring your soy milk into airtight containers, place it in the freezer. Frozen soy milk is a wonderful, healthy addition to a fruit smoothie or to make lactose-free ice cream.
How long can milk be frozen? Generally, frozen milk of all types is best used within about six weeks.
Differences Between Cow’s Milk and Soy Milk
Before buying soy milk, learn to distinguish between cow’s milk and soy milk. There are nutritional differences between the two kinds of milk.
Although soy milk has added calcium and other vitamins, cow’s milk has more calcium and eight other essential nutrients. One health advantage that soy milk carries that cow’s milk does not is cholesterol. Soy milk has no cholesterol, while cow’s milk does.
Regarding shelf life, soy milk lasts longer because it survives room temperature storage and extended periods.
The flexible storage options are enticing to most consumers if you have limited space in your fridge. No matter what kind of milk you purchase, proper storage is crucial to avoid food poisoning.
How to Tell if Soy Milk is Spoiled
Does soy milk go bad? Yes, soy milk does produce warning signs when it has spoiled, and it is vital to be able to identify rotten milk. One primary indicator that soy milk has gone bad is the smell. Bad soy milk releases a foul or sour odor, similar to regular milk.
An additional sign that your soy milk is no longer fresh is the texture. If soy milk is lumpy or has a yellow tint, it is spoiled. Make sure you do not consume sour soy milk.
Drinking spoiled soy milk usually leads to intestinal side effects like nausea and bloating. If you doubt the freshness of your soy milk, err on the side of safety and avoid drinking.
If you are lactose-intolerant, soy milk is a fantastic cow’s milk alternative that allows you to consume something with similar nutritional value.
Understanding how to preserve soy milk is critical so you always have a fresh product on hand. Fortunately, there are a few ways to store soy milk, such as the freezer, room temperature, or refrigerator.
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