Drinking week old almond milk may not be dangerous, but it’s certainly not recommended. The taste and nutritional value of almond milk can deteriorate over time. Here’s a look at what can happen if you drink almond milk that’s a week past its expiration date.
Quick Answers
Almond milk usually lasts 5-7 days past its printed expiration date if unopened. Once opened, it should be consumed within 7 days. Drinking spoiled almond milk may cause stomach upset but is unlikely to make you seriously ill.
Does Almond Milk Go Bad?
Yes, almond milk does eventually go bad, despite being a plant-based milk. Like other perishable foods, almond milk contains nutrients that bacteria and mold can feed on over time. Proper storage is important for preserving the freshness and safety of almond milk.
Unopened, almond milk can generally last 5-7 days past its printed sell by or use by date before it starts to degrade in quality and taste. Once opened, it should be consumed within 7 days.
How to Tell if Almond Milk Has Gone Bad
Here are some signs that your almond milk has spoiled and should be discarded:
- Sour smell
- Thick consistency or clumping
- Mold visible on the surface
- Off tastes like sourness or bitterness
- Gas or bubbling when you open the carton
If your almond milk exhibits any of these characteristics, play it safe and throw it away. Fresh almond milk should smell mildly nutty, have a uniform creamy texture, and taste mildly sweet.
What Happens If You Drink Spoiled Almond Milk?
Drinking almond milk that’s just slightly past its prime may cause some temporary stomach upset like:
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
Consuming very spoiled milk that contains dangerous levels of bacteria like salmonella or E. coli could trigger food poisoning. Symptoms may include vomiting, fever, chills, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
In most cases though, drinking week old almond milk that’s starting to go bad is unlikely to make you seriously ill. At worst, it may taste unpleasant and cause some mild gastrointestinal distress.
How Long Does Almond Milk Last When Unopened?
Unopened, commercially packaged almond milk generally stays fresh for:
- 5-7 days past the printed sell by or use by date
- Up to 2 months past the sell by date if stored in the fridge
- 6-12 months in the freezer
The sell by date is not an expiration date. Almond milk can still be safely consumed for about a week after the sell by date as long as it was properly stored.
How Long Does Almond Milk Last When Opened?
Once opened, almond milk should be used within:
- 7 days
- 10 days if refrigerated immediately after opening
Keeping almond milk refrigerated and closed tightly after opening helps prolong its shelf life. But it’s best consumed within a week for optimal freshness and flavor.
Proper Storage of Almond Milk
To help almond milk stay fresher for longer:
- Refrigerate after opening. Keep temperature at 40°F or below.
- Keep container tightly sealed when not in use.
- Store away from light, heat, and moisture.
- Don’t store in door of fridge where temperature fluctuates.
- Check for signs of spoilage before consuming.
- Don’t mix new and old milk when pouring glasses.
Does Spoiled Almond Milk Taste Sour?
Yes, spoiled almond milk often tastes sour due to lactic acid bacteria. As almond milk starts to go bad, the sugars turn into acid which gives it a curdled, sour taste. Clumping or separation of the milk may also occur.
Other off flavors like bitterness, staleness, or “cheesiness” can also develop as the nutrients in almond milk break down over time. If your almond milk tastes or smells off in any way, err on the side of caution and throw it out.
Can Almond Milk Make You Sick?
Consuming spoiled almond milk in small amounts may cause temporary digestive upset like nausea, gas, bloating, or diarrhea. But it’s very unlikely to make you seriously ill.
Almond milk doesn’t provide the ideal environment for harmful bacteria like salmonella or E. coli to grow. Even if contaminated, the vegetarian source and low moisture content reduce the odds of foodborne illness.
Of course, if almond milk is handled improperly or stored at unsafe temperatures, dangerous bacterial growth becomes more likely. Very spoiled milk could potentially cause food poisoning. But overall, the risks are low.
How to Tell When Unopened Almond Milk Expires
Check the “sell by” or “use by” date printed on the carton. Almond milk typically expires 3-4 weeks after the bottling date.
As a general guideline, unopened almond milk should be consumed:
- Within 5-7 days past the sell by date
- Within 2 months past the sell by date if refrigerated
Also look for signs of spoilage like puffing or leaking packaging. If the container is damaged or severely bloated, play it safe and discard the milk.
Does Almond Milk Go Bad If Not Refrigerated?
Yes, almond milk can go bad if left out unrefrigerated. The warmer temperature allows bacteria and mold to multiply faster.
Refrigeration is the best way to prolong the shelf life of opened and unopened almond milk. Keep the temperature at 40°F or below.
If unrefrigerated, almond milk may start developing off flavors and odors within 2-4 hours. Extreme heat can cause it to spoil dangerously fast.
Can You Drink Almond Milk After Expiration Date?
It’s generally safe to drink almond milk up to a week past the expiration date as long as it was stored properly in a sealed container in the fridge. But the taste and nutrition will start deteriorating so it’s best to consume it as soon as possible after purchase.
If your almond milk is more than 7-10 days past its sell by date or shows any signs of spoilage like odor, taste or texture changes, it’s better to be cautious and throw it out.
Does Almond Milk Need to Be Refrigerated After Opening?
Yes, keeping opened almond milk refrigerated helps slow bacterial growth and extends the shelf life. Store opened containers towards the back of the fridge at 40°F or below.
If left unrefrigerated, opened almond milk may only last 2-4 hours before it starts deteriorating in quality and safety. Refrigeration keeps it fresher for up to 10 days.
Can You Freeze Almond Milk?
Yes, freezing is an effective way to greatly extend the shelf life of almond milk. It can keep in the freezer for 6-12 months.
To freeze:
- Make sure milk is very fresh, not expired
- Leave 2 inches of headspace in the container for expansion
- Seal tightly and label with date
- Freeze for up to 1 year at 0°F
Thaw frozen milk overnight in the fridge before using. Gently shake or stir to reincorporate any separation.
Does Almond Milk Need to Be Refrigerated Before Opening?
Refrigeration of unopened almond milk is recommended but not entirely necessary. Keeping it chilled helps slow degradation and extend shelf life. However, most commercially processed almond milk is shelf-stable before opening.
Always check “best by” date and store unopened containers in a cool, dry pantry away from heat, light, and moisture. Refrigeration can prolong freshness from the printed date by about 2 months.
Signs Almond Milk Has Gone Bad When Opened
Look for the following signs that opened almond milk has spoiled and should be discarded:
- Sour smell
- Curdled texture/clumps
- Mold visible on surface
- Separation or watery layer
- Fizzing, bubbling, or fermented taste
Fresh almond milk should smell sweet and nutty. It should have a smooth, creamy consistency from shake to pour. If anything seems off, don’t take any risks and throw it away.
Can You Use Almond Milk After Expiration Date?
Almond milk is generally safe to consume up to 1 week past its printed expiration date, as long as it was properly refrigerated in a sealed container. But it’s best to use it as soon as possible after purchasing for optimal freshness and flavor.
If your almond milk is more than 7-10 days past its expiration date, has developed any off odors, flavors or textures, or was left unrefrigerated, it’s best to err on the side of caution and discard it.
What Is the Shelf Life of Almond Milk?
The shelf life of almond milk depends on storage conditions:
- Unopened fridge: 5-7 days past “best by” date
- Unopened pantry: 2-4 weeks typically
- Opened fridge: 7-10 days
- Frozen: 6-12 months
For longest freshness, immediately refrigerate after opening and consume within a week. Discard if you notice any signs of spoilage.
Should You Shake Almond Milk Before Drinking?
Shaking almond milk helps incorporate any separation that occurs during storage. The oils may start to separate and rise to the top over time.
Gently swirl or shake the carton before pouring to evenly distribute the solids. This helps improve consistency and flavor.
However, if you notice excessive wateriness, clumping, bubbling or other signs of spoilage after shaking, it’s best to discard the milk.
Does Almond Milk Need to Be Refrigerated After Opening?
Yes, it’s important to refrigerate almond milk immediately after opening to help extend the shelf life. Keep it stored in the back of the fridge at 40°F or below.
Refrigeration can prolong the freshness of opened almond milk for up to 10 days. If left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, it can start to grow bacteria and deteriorate quickly.
Conclusion
Drinking almond milk that is about a week past its expiration date won’t make you sick in most cases. However, the taste and nutrition content starts going downhill. Spoiled milk may cause temporary stomach upset.
For best quality and safety, finish almond milk within a week of opening. Discard immediately if you notice any clumping, odor changes or other signs of spoilage. Proper refrigeration helps almond milk stay fresher for longer.
