Just like with all other types of milk – at some point or another – it is going to reach its expiration date and go bad.
However, the expiration date isn’t always the best way to understand whether or not oat milk has curdled, so it’s a good idea to understand what the main signs of bad oat milk are.
If you’re in a hurry – don’t panic, keep reading for our quick breakdown for the top indications that oat milk has gone bad:
- It has a funny smell.
- The color or appearance of the oat milk has changed in some way.
- The carton that the oat milk is kept inside has been open for longer than 2 weeks.
- The consistency of the oat milk has changed and become thicker.
- The oat milk separates when put into tea or coffee.
- You can see mold growing in the oat milk.
Even though oat milk typically tends to last a lot longer than other types of milk, just like all other types of drink – it will end up going bad at some point or another.
The only question is, when? If you’re currently wondering whether or not your oat milk has gone bad (or simply want to know what the warning signs are that it’s beginning to go off) you’re in the right place!
In this article, we are going to be taking a closer look at what the telltale signs of curdled oat milk are, as well as what you can do to help prolong the life of your current oat milk. Just keep reading!
How Long Does Oat Milk Last?
As we have already briefly touched upon above, oat milk is designed to last much longer than other types of milk, such as dairy milk.
Due to this, if it is stored correctly and kept inside a fridge, you can expect standard oat milk to last for a period of around 2 weeks once the carton has been opened up.
Along with this, it is also worth noting that unopened oat milk will often offer a shelf life of anywhere from 6 to 12 months (depending on the brand and the quality of the carton that it is stored inside), which means that oat milk is great for stocking up on so that you’re never without it!
Needless to say, despite the fact that oat milk is able to offer a great shelf life, it will go bad at some point or another.
Due to this, it’s a good idea to make sure that you are well aware of what the main signs of bad oat milk are – as this will help you to gauge when the right time will be to swap your current oat milk out for a fresh one! This brings us to our next section.
What Are The Main Signs Oat Milk Has Gone Bad?
To help guarantee that you are able to spot the telltale signs of bad oat milk before you drink it, check out the following:
- Sour smell: One of the biggest signs that oat milk has gone bad is if it has an unpleasant smell. Before you use your oat milk, we recommend that you take a moment to smell the oat milk. If you smell a sour or unpleasant smell, then we recommend that you get rid of it immediately.
- Consistency change: If you can see that the consistency of the oat milk has changed and become thicker, then this is a clear sign that the oat milk that you are using has gone bad.
- Mold growth: Upon inspection of your oat milk, if you can see any signs of mold growth, then this is another clear sign that your oat milk has gone bad and needs to be swapped out for a fresh carton.
How To Store Oat Milk?
Even though oat milk will go bad sooner or later, there are some ways that you can help to prolong the life of your oat milk and ensure that it stays fresh for as long as it possibly can.
The main way that this can be achieved is by simply making sure that you are storing it correctly – both before it has been opened as well as after your oat milk has been opened.
If you have shelf-stable oat milk, you will be able to keep it stored in a pantry or cupboard prior to opening it for anywhere from 6-12 months.
However, once it has been opened, you will need to keep it in a fridge to preserve freshness, where it will then keep for around 2 weeks.
On the other hand, if you are purchasing refrigerator oat milk, then you are going to need to make sure that you are keeping your refrigerator oat milk inside the fridge both before you have opened up oat milk, as well as once you have opened it up.
Just like shelf oat milk, once it has been opened it should keep for around 2 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Oat Milk Need To be Kept In A Fridge?
This depends on whether or not the carton has been opened. If you haven’t yet opened up your oat milk, then you will be able to keep your carton oat milk in a cool and dry area in your kitchen – such as in the cupboard or a pantry.
When stored correctly, unopened oat milk will typically last anywhere from 6 to 12 months before going bad and ultimately needing to be replaced.
On the other hand, if you have opened up your oat milk carton, then you are going to need to make sure that you are storing your opened oat milk inside your fridge so that it can maintain its freshness so that it does not go bad.
When stored correctly in your fridge, opened oat milk should keep its freshness for a period of around 2 weeks or so.
On the other hand, if you are using refrigerated oat milk, then you are going to need to make sure that you are storing it in your refrigerator at all times – regardless of whether the carton has been opened up or not.
This is because refrigerated oat milk is different from oat milk that can sit on a shelf, and will require the cold temperature of your fridge to maintain its freshness and prevent it from curdling.
If you keep refrigerated oat milk in a cupboard, pantry or even on the counter – it will end up going bad and you will be unable to use it anymore.
How Do You Tell The Difference Between Shelf Suitable Oat Milk And Refrigerator Oat Milk?
Whether you want to use oat milk for your morning breakfast cereal or you love nothing more than enjoying an oat latte to help get you through the busy day, the last thing that you want to do is to purchase some oat milk – only to discover that it has prematurely gone bad due to incorrect storage.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to make sure that you are well aware of how to spot the differences between oat milk that has been designed to be kept in the fridge, as well as how to spot oat milk that is suitable to be kept at room temperature.
As a general rule of thumb, the easiest way to do this is to simply make sure that you are thoroughly inspecting the packaging prior to making your purchase, as this will contain all of the necessary information on what type of oat milk you are buying, as well as how to correctly store it.
By doing this, it will help to prevent your oat milk from going bad.
How Long Does Oat Milk Last?
The answer to this question will vary depending on what type of oat milk you are using, as well as what brand it has come from.
However, generally speaking, you can expect your oat milk to last (once it has been opened up) for around 2 weeks.
Keep in mind that you will need to keep it inside the fridge to ensure freshness, as opened oat milk kept at room temperature will inevitably spoil.
How To Tell If Oat Milk Has Curdled
Oat milk usually lasts longer than cow's milk but it can also go bad. The best way to check oat milk is by looking at a change in color. There may also be a foul odor or mold growing inside the milk.
Materials
- Oat milk
Tools
- Glass or cup
Instructions
- Pour some oat milk into a glass: The best way to check oat milk is by removing it from its carton.
- Check the color and smell of the oat milk: If you notice a foul odor or unusual color of your oat milk, then this is a sign that it has gone bad.
- Check for mold: If oat milk has not been used for two weeks, then mold may start to grow inside the milk. Check for any signs of mold on top or when you stir the oat milk.
- Pour some oat milk into your coffee or tea: One of the tell-tale signs that oat milk has gone bad is when you pour some of the milk into coffee or tea. The milk will start to separate.
Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.
I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!
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