Whether or not you’re utilizing it whereas baking, cooking, or in a refreshing drink – milk is a flexible ingredient that can be utilized in some ways.
And with a collection of alternate options for various diets resembling vegan choices, you’re by no means wanting alternative.
However with ‘use-by’ dates limiting how lengthy it’s important to use a carton or tin of milk, you might be questioning whether or not you’ll be able to freeze it.
We take a look at how one can safely freeze milk and what to do if you wish to defrost it to make use of as soon as extra…
Are you able to freeze milk?
The brief reply is sure, you’ll be able to freeze most sorts of milk.
However it is suggested you don’t freeze it in a glass bottle and as a substitute put it in an air-tight, freezer-safe bag or container previous to freezing.
That is to minimize the prospect of the container breaking and likewise to avoid wasting area.
Additionally it is price noting that milk should be frozen inside its ‘use-by’ date as freezing doesn’t lengthen the lifetime of milk as soon as it’s liquid once more.
Many sorts of milk additionally separate after being frozen however this may be mounted by mixing it after defrosting.
How lengthy are you able to freeze milk for?
Milk may be frozen for as much as six months however it is suggested to make use of it inside a month because it begins to lower in high quality the longer it’s frozen, so it’s essential to label your milk with the date you set it within the freezer.
Frozen milk needs to be used inside two to a few days after it has thawed.
The Meals Requirements Company recommends that frozen meals needs to be saved at or under -18˚C.
To defrost frozen milk, it needs to be left within the fridge slightly than at room temperature to cease the expansion of dangerous micro organism.
If you’re going to prepare dinner with it, you can too instantly defrost it within the pan as you might be cooking.
Cow’s milk
Cow’s milk can simply be frozen though this will have an effect on the feel of the milk and trigger it to go grainy or expertise some fats separation.
This will make it disagreeable as a beverage by itself however doesn’t have an effect on its use in smoothies, cooking, or baking.
It ought to by no means be frozen in a glass bottle, and whether it is frozen in a plastic bottle you must go away two inches of area or extra to keep away from the container cracking because the milk expands.
Goat’s milk
As with cow’s milk, goat’s milk may also simply be frozen and experiences little fats separation within the course of.
Goat’s milk may be saved wherever from two months to 6 months in a freezer and needs to be used inside three to 4 days of defrosting.
Like cow’s milk, goat’s milk ought to solely be frozen as soon as in order to not additional have an effect on its style and consistency.
Breast milk
Expressed breast milk may be saved to create a provide to feed your child from a bottle or cup as and when required.
You’ll be able to retailer breast milk in a sterilised container or in a breast milk storage bag for as much as six months in a freezer.
It’s greatest to defrost frozen breast milk slowly within the fridge earlier than giving it to your child, nonetheless, if it’s essential to use it right away you’ll be able to defrost it by placing it in a jug of heat water or underneath working heat water.
Breast milk ought to by no means be reheated within the microwave to keep away from scorching spots forming within the milk attributable to uneven heating and probably burning your child.
It’s also possible to feed breast milk to your child straight from the fridge if they’re blissful to drink it chilly, the place it may be saved for as much as 4 days.
As soon as your child has drunk from it, the reheated breast milk should be used inside an hour after which thrown away after.
Almond milk
Almond milk may be saved for six months after freezing, although there are some caveats.
Many producers don’t suggest freezing it as, like most different milk selections, it separates, and even mixing can’t repair it solely.
It’s endorsed that when you do freeze almond milk, use it in baking and cooking slightly than in drinks.
After defrosting, almond milk needs to be used inside two to 4 days.
Soy milk
Like almond milk and different plant-based substitutes, soy milk may be frozen for as much as six months.
Nevertheless, it’s going to want reconstituting after defrosting to regain a few of its signature creamy texture after separation.
One solution to fight this can be stirring or shaking soy milk vigorously earlier than freezing.
Soy milk needs to be used inside two to a few months after defrosting.
Coconut milk
Coconut milk may be frozen, nevertheless it needs to be frozen in a tin to keep away from rupture when the milk expands.
It may be saved within the freezer for as much as three months and needs to be used inside three to 5 days after thawing.
Like different plant-based milks, coconut milk might separate after freezing.
Evaporated milk
Freezing evaporated milk is feasible and it will probably final wherever from three to 6 months within the freezer.
Nevertheless, like coconut milk, it shouldn’t be frozen in a can to keep away from damaging the container.
Evaporated milk does separate after defrosting and it’s not one thing that may be rectified by stirring or mixing, however it will probably nonetheless be used as an ingredient in lots of recipes.
Condensed milk
Condensed milk may be frozen, nonetheless, attributable to its excessive sugar content material, it is not going to freeze strong.
Which means it doesn’t have to be thawed after use, though its texture does turn into extra thick and viscous after freezing.
It’s endorsed to make use of frozen condensed milk inside three to 6 milk for it to be of its very best quality.
MORE : 10 meals you’ll be able to freeze now – from turkey to sprouts
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