Oat milk shelf life: how to store and freeze oat milk correctly
Discover the versatile world of oat milk, from correct storage to freezing. We have all the answers for you, because there are a few tricks you should know. You can find lots of tips about oat milk and its shelf life here. Get the best out of your oat milk with our storage tips for freshness and flavour. We will also clarify whether you can freeze oat drinks and how you can extend their shelf life.
The key points
- Consume industrially produced oat milk before the best-before date.
- Opened oat milk or homemade oat drinks should be stored in the fridge for no more than 3 days.
- Signs of spoilage are a musty smell, sour taste, lumps, a change in colour and mould.
- The formation of a skin is completely normal! You can trust your taste buds.
- Best stored at below 7 degrees Celsius, keeps longer in the 0-degree compartment.
- Products may still be edibleafter the best-before date.
- Oat milk powder is available unpackaged or in environmentally friendly packaging.
- The shelf life after heating is shortened.
- If you freeze oat milk, it will keep for up to 2 months. Leave enough space in the container.
- Ice cube trays with a lid are an ideal choice for freezing portions.
- The consistency may changeafter defrosting (ideally in the fridge).
List of contents – fermenting beverages
Oats are a real powerhouse, contain valuable nutrients and are rich in vitamins. Milk alternatives made from the grain have fewer calories than cow's milk, are usually regional and are better for the environment.
Homemade oat milk is particularly cheap. According to EU legislation, it may not be labelled as milk. It is a milk substitute product and may only be marketed as an oat drink.
In the industrial production of oat drinks, hulled oats are boiled with plenty of water and mixed into a porridge. This is mixed with enzymes and thus fermented. The mass is then filtered.
The solid components are later used as animal feed. To make the drink a pleasant consistency, vegetable oil is added. As oats are grown in the EU and water consumption is low, they are a good ecologicalalternative to conventional cow's milk.
Oat milk shelf life: how long does oat milk keep?
The shelf life of oat milk varies depending on whether it is industrially produced or homemade.
Once opened, oat milk should always be kept in the fridge to prevent germs from forming. It is important that you do not drink directlyfrom the carton, as the drink will spoil more quickly due to the germs introduced.
Shelf life of industrially produced oat milk:
Unopened, industrially produced oat milk keeps at least until the best-before date. This is due to the ultra-high temperature treatment and sterile packaging, which inhibit bacterial growth and extend shelf life.
As soon as the packaging is opened, the shelf life is significantly reduced. Once opened, oat milk should be stored in the fridge at the lowest possible temperature:
- opened oat milk should be stored for no longer than 3 days in the fridge compartment at around 7 °C.
- In the 0-°C compartment such as the BioFresh safe, with low humidity, oat milk stays fresh for up to 12 days when opened.
After opening, it is important to pay attention to changes in smell, colour or consistency, as these can be signs that it might be starting to go off. The oat milk should not taste sour and there should be no lumps. Make sure that the original colour does not change and that no mould is visible.
Shelf life of homemade oat milk:
homemade oat milk has the same shelf life in the fridge as opened, industrially produced oat milk:
- homemade oat milk should be stored for no longer than 3 days in the fridge compartment at around 7 °C.
- In the 0-°C compartment such as the BioFresh safe, with low humidity, homemade oat milk stays fresh for up to 12 days.
To ensure that the oat milk has the longest possible shelf life, care must be taken to ensure cleanliness and hygiene during production.
Homemade oat milk has no preservatives, so it is particularly important to look out for signs of spoilage and not to use it if there is any doubt about its freshness.
The formation of a skin is normal, especially with homemade oat milk. So don't throw it away straight away, but shake it and be sure to check the smell, colour and consistency.
Preserving oat milk
Shop-bought oat milk will keep until the best before date (BBD). It is important that the drink is chilled to at least 7 °C – preferably cooler, as described above.
Due to preservatives, which are not contained in homemade oat drinks, the purchased product has a much longer shelf life. Depending on the brand, the best-before date may vary and you should follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding the shelf life and how to store the oat milk after opening. It is important to note that products can still be consumed after the best-before date has passed.
Oat drink powder is an alternative to the liquid product. You can mix your own oat drink as required. This process not only extends the shelf life, but also reduces transport emissions and packaging waste.
Simply stir the oat powder into water for just a few minutes. If you opt for a homemade oat drink instead, you should be aware that there are no additives that contribute to a longer shelf life.
It is best to make smaller quantities or portion your oat drink into smaller containers, such as jam jars. Freeze any remaining jars, but make sure that they are not overfilled. Homemade oat drink thickens during cooking, but this is quite normal. The only thing to keep in mind is that the shelf life may be reduced after heating.
Freezing oat milk
You can freeze oat milk without any problems and thus significantly extend its shelf life. If you freeze oat milk, it will keep for up to 2 months. Use a container that is suitable for freezing and can be sealed so that it is airtight.
Please note that oat milk consists largely of water, which expands by around ten percent when frozen. Do not fill the airtight container to the brim and leave enough space for the liquid to expand.
You can also freeze the unopened oat milk completely to prevent germ formation. If the drink has already been opened, you can also freeze it in reusable freezer bags with a tight seal, in a bottle or in ice cube trays with lids at an optimum temperature of -18 °C.
After defrosting, however, the consistency may change slightly. The oat drink can become flaky, but is still suitable for cooking or baking. You can significantly reduce the risk of bacteria and germs developing if you freeze the drink in the freezer compartment as soon as possible.
We recommend using frozen oat milk within two months. The best way to defrost your oat drink is to do so slowly. It is best to put the product in the fridge to defrost.
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