There’s nothing more disappointing than pouring milk into your morning tea or coffee only to discover it has curdled or turned sour. However, experts have suggested a peculiar trick that they claim can keep your milk fresh for up to three weeks longer than usual.
Food storage specialists from Wheeldon Brothers assert that the key to ensuring your milk stays fresh starts at the supermarket. They advise adding milk to your trolley last.
“This gives it the best chance of remaining at a stable temperature,” they suggest. Once you’re home, it’s vital to put the milk in the fridge straight away.
While it might be second nature to place the milk directly into the door of your fridge, that’s actually the worst spot to store it. Despite many people storing milk in the fridge door, it’s better to position it on a shelf where temperatures are cooler and more consistent.
“Dairy products should ideally be stored at the back of the fridge, as the front and door are exposed to warmer air each time the door is opened,” the experts clarify. Once your milk has been opened, it will typically last a week or two before starting to go sour, but you can prolong this shelf life with one simple addition – a pinch of salt, reports the Express.
“Adding a pinch of salt to the carton and shaking it to distribute the salt evenly can help,” the experts recommend. “Salt minerals slow the souring of milk by drawing out water molecules, which lowers water activity and, in turn, inhibits bacterial growth.”
However, if your milk turns sour before you’ve had a chance to use it all, don’t fret. It can still be used as a substitute for buttermilk in pancakes, scones, or bread.
If you’re worried about not using the milk in time, you can freeze it. Frozen milk can be stored for up to three months; while the texture and taste may alter slightly, it will remain safe to drink and suitable for cooking or baking.
Just ensure the container or carton you use for freezing has enough space at the top to allow for expansion as it freezes. To defrost milk, place it in the fridge, and if it separates, simply beat it with an electric whisk.