How To Tell If Almond Milk Is Bad

Almond milk is a great alternative to cow milk if you are lactose intolerant or on a dairy-free diet. Almond milk has a shelf life just like most everything else.

There are a few different ways how to tell if almond milk is bad. The most obvious is if it has a bad smell to it. Also if it is clumpy or changing in color then it has gone bad.

I’m going to dive into all the ways to help you know if your almond milk is bad or not.

How long does almond milk last?

Whether you have made your own almond milk or you bought a carton of it from the store will define the shelf life.

If you make your own almond milk or get it from a small independent producer your shelf life is only about 5-7 days.

However, when you buy a carton of almond milk at the store that has been ultra-pasteurized it allows it to last a bit longer. Ultra-pasteurized is a process of heating up the milk and then cooling it down quickly.

Some almond milk is shelf-stable and lasts months unopened. Once it is opened you want to store it in the fridge and use it up within 7-10 days.

Pasteurized almond milk that is refrigerated when you buy it must be kept cold and has a shelf life of up to 10 days from when it was opened.

You want to make sure that you store almond milk correctly so that it doesn’t spoil. More importantly, you need to know what signs to look for in almond milk that has gone bad.

Also, check out how to tell if honey is bad.

Signs of bad almond milk

1. Sour or foul smell

Almond milk typically has a bit of a sweet smell to it if any smell at all. If you notice that it smells sour or pungent then you will want to toss it. This is the most obvious sign and is usually the 1st sign you will get.

2. Thick N’ Clumpy

You never want your almond milk to be thick or clumpy. It is supposed to have a smooth creamy consistency. When you shake it up and you notice that it is clumpy or thick when you are pouring it then it is spoiled. It is time to throw it out.

3. Change in color

The yellow color is a good indicator that almond milk has expired. Almond milk should be off-white in color. If you notice a change in how it looks you will want to discard it.

4. Sour or off-taste

If you taste a sour or off-taste then your almond milk has gone bad. You will usually notice that it is bad by one of the signs above before you get to taste it. If it doesn’t smell or look different but the taste is off then it has spoiled.

Also, check out how to tell if coconut milk is bad as it is also a great dairy-free alternative.