What Is Almond Milk, and Where Does It Come From?
Before we dig into the nitty gritty of whether almond milk goes bad when left out, let’s cover a few almond milk basics!
Almond milk is, as you can guess, made from almonds. Since it’s an almond-based liquid, there’s no lactose or cholesterol. It’s a pretty healthy dairy-free alternative to cow’s milk.
You might find different flavors and types of almond milk on the shelf at your local grocery store. Some almond milk varieties are sweetened or flavored with vanilla or chocolate. Others may even have added nutrients, so it’s a more appealing dietary choice.
In a cup of almond milk, there are usually about 40 calories, 1.5 grams of protein, and 3 grams of fat. There’s some calcium, potassium, sodium, and vitamins (B12, A, and D). And, of course, there is no cholesterol content to speak of!
Manufacturers create almond milk by soaking almonds and then grinding them down. After filtering out the almond pulp, a milky liquid is all that’s left. This liquid is, of course, almond milk!
How Long Does Almond Milk Last in the Fridge?
You’ve just purchased a delicious tub of almond milk from the store. You get home and place it in your fridge. A few days pass… and a few more. Now what? Is your almond milk already spoiled? How long does it really last in your fridge?
If your almond milk stays in a sealed container, you can expect it to last up to ten days. Although that’s the general rule of thumb, this timeframe could change depending on a few factors.
Almond milk generally lasts up to ten days in a sealed container in the fridge.
Now, it’s a different story if you don’t open a carton of almond milk. Shelf-stable almond milk, like Silk, has a very long shelf life. It can last several months (unopened). But as soon as you open it, put it in your fridge! From that point on, expect it to last seven to ten days.
Is Almond Milk Likely to Go Bad?
When you buy almond milk, check the expiration date. As long as you keep tabs on the expiration date and store it properly, you should be able to consume it before it goes bad.
Like other refrigerated drinkable substances, pace yourself with it so you avoid running an accidental science experiment in the depths of your fridge. Almond milk lasts a bit longer than regular milk. So, if you’ve just gotten on the almond milk bandwagon, you have that to look forward to!
Tips for Storing Almond Milk
- Always Refrigerate Almond Milk After Opening
- Keep Almond Milk in the Back of the Fridge (Where It’s Coolest)
- Don’t Store It in the Door
- Remember (or Make a Note of) When You Opened It
- Don’t Freeze It
- Keep It in a Sealed Container (Make Sure the Cap Is Sealed Tight)
How Do You Know When Almond Milk Goes Bad?
Does almond milk go bad? By now, you know that it does, indeed, spoil eventually. But before you get paranoid about drinking your refrigerated almond milk, check out these tips to help you determine whether your almond milk has gone bad.
Check the Expiration Date
One excellent hint when you’re trying to figure out whether your milk has gone bad is to check the expiration date. If the carton is clearly far beyond the stamped date, it’s best to toss it.
Look for a Funky Consistency
Inspect the milk visually. Do you see clumps and lumps in the milk carton? Shake it a bit to see if you can distinguish a thick texture. If it’s lumpy, it has probably gone bad.
Sour Smell
Fresh, good almond milk should have a nutty and possibly sweet smell to it. If you catch whiffs of sour or stinky almond milk, it probably has bad bacteria. Toss it out if the smell is unappealing or makes you cringe.
Bad Taste
Let’s say you’ve done a quick visual inspection and given your almond milk a little sniff, but nothing seems wrong. As a last resort, you can take a tiny sip of it. If the flavor tastes sour or off in any way, then it’s probably gone bad.
How Can You Use Almond Milk?
You might be surprised to learn that almond milk has been used as an alternative to cow’s milk since the Middle Ages! Almond milk’s historical use is clearly far-reaching. And over time, it’s become more and more popular as a decent substitute for dairy.
Many people keep almond milk on hand and use it in recipes that require milk. Even up until the early 2000s, it was a pretty niche health drink choice. But this plant-based milk has become increasingly widespread in the last decade or so.
Plant-based milk is used as a milk substitute for breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals. It goes well with cereal, in smoothies, or as a base for sauces. Of course, many people also enjoy drinking almond milk straight from the glass
Recipes With Almond Milk
Looking for a few trendy almond milk recipes to try out? Here a just a few!
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Blend the following ingredients until they reach a smooth consistency.
- 1 frozen banana
- 2 Tbsp. almond milk
- 0.5 cup dairy-free yogurt
- 1 Tbsp. honey
- 1 Tbsp. peanut butter
Almond Blender Pancakes
Blend the ingredients thoroughly, then pour the mixture over a heated skillet. Cook each side for about two minutes.
- 0.5 cup slivered almonds
- 1 cup flour
- 2.5 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp cinnamon
- 5 Tbsp. sugar
- 0.75 tsp baking soda
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
Almond Milk Ice Cream
Whisk the ingredients together, freeze them in an ice cube tray, then blend the frozen cubes together to create this delicious almond milk ice cream.
- 2 cups almond milk
- 1/2 cup nut butter
- 1/3 cup sweetener
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1.5 tsp pure vanilla extract
Almond Milk Latte
Mix together these ingredients to make a scrumptious almond milk latte at home. If you buy coffee at a cafe, ask the staff to replace regular milk with almond milk.
- Unsweetened almond milk
- Espresso or instant coffee
- Sugar or artificial sweeteners
- Flavored syrups (as desired)
The Takeaway: Almond Milk Will Go Bad When Left Out
Next time you pick up some almond milk at the store, keep our tips in mind for storing it well in your fridge after you open it! And remember, almond milk does go bad after about ten days, even when you refrigerate it. Ensure your almond milk is still fresh by doing a visual check and smell test to prevent getting a mouthful of sour milk!