Is oat milk unhealthy? Explained (2023) (2023)

Surely you have heard of oat milk if you are vegan or lactose intolerant. It's all talk these days. It's your go-to condiment whether you're allergic to nuts or have celiac disease.But does oat milk spoil if left on the counter?

Like any other milk, oat milk tends to spoil if left open. Spoiled oat milk will likely have mold and discoloration. The cream color changes to a darker shade, indicating that the milk is no longer edible. It will also lose its texture and give off a terrible smell.

So let's get straight to durability.

How long does oat milk last?

Oat milk is a durable seasoning that has a long unopened shelf life. However, once the package is opened, it can go bad in a matter of days. Therefore, an opened package must be refrigerated to prevent spoilage.

Once opened, oat milk can be stored for 9 to 10 days if refrigerated. However, it loses its nutty flavor after 3-4 days.. Although the milk is safe for consumption after 3-4 days, its quality degrades before it becomes unpalatable. Therefore, it is important to cool the milk in an airtight container. If you refrigerate it, you can safely consume the milk longer.

Ever wonder why oat milk degrades in quality? Buying a carton of oat milk is easy, but keeping it fresh can be a challenge. To help your oat milk last longer, let's look at some factors that affect its quality.

First time:

Have you ever left a half-full carton of oat milk on the kitchen counter for longer than 3 hours? If so, you may have noticed that it doesn't have its original flavor. They start to spoil if you leave perishables outside at room temperature. billUSDA, a carton of milk lasts only 2 hours at room temperature. So make sure you keep the half-used milk carton in the fridge. This keeps the oat milk fresh and safe for later use.

2. Temperature:

Heat can also cause oat milk to spoil. So, leaving a half-full carton of milk near the stove increases the chances of spoiling. So put the milk carton back in the fridge as soon as possible.

3. Exposure (air and humidity):

Exposing your opened package of oat milk can cause it to spoil faster. If you leave oat milk open, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Once milk is contaminated, it spoils faster. Therefore, it is important to seal the milk well before storing it.

Read too: Do chia seeds spoil?

How is oat milk stored correctly?

Now that you know why and how your oat milk goes bad, tell us how to store it. To store an unopened pack, be sure to store it in a cool, dry place. Oat milk is a durable drink that has a long, trouble-free shelf life.Unopened oat milk has a shelf life of 8-9 months (or longer) when stored properly.. An ideal place to store oat milk containers is in a pantry or cupboard away from light. Proper storage of milk helps to retain its original taste and smell for a long time.

If you have oat milk in an open container, it has expired. To store an open container, close the bag tightly. The package/container must be airtight to avoid contact with air and moisture. After tightly closing the package, place it in the refrigerator. This keeps it safe for consumption for a week. However, milk may not retain its original taste.

Can oat milk be frozen?

no If you plan on storing oat milk longer, avoid freezing it. That's because oat milk contains water.principal ingredient. After freezing it, the water tends to expand in the container. This causes the container to explode and the milk to become undrinkable.

Is oat milk bad? How to tell if oat milk has expired?

Have you ever been in a situation where the label says the milk is expired but it looks good? Labels are only preliminary indications of when the product was manufactured. However, an expired label does not mean the spice is spoiled. So how can you tell if oat milk is unsafe? Well, we recommend that you trust your senses and follow your instincts. Look out for the following signs of spoilage to check the quality of your oat milk.

1. Discoloration

Fresh oat milk is smooth, light brown or off-white in color. If you notice that the milk gets darker in the shade, discard it. The color change indicates that the milk has been contaminated. Another reason for discoloration could also be outdated ingredients.

2. Schimmel

The appearance of mold is another indication of rotten oat milk. Mold usually appears when you leave the container open and exposed. So if you see mold, discard the milk immediately.

3. Repulsive smell

A sour or unpleasant odor indicates rotten oat milk. Milk will give off a bad odor if not stored properly. If you leave oat milk out for months (or years), it will also smell awful. Sniff it briefly before drinking the oat milk. If the milk gives off a sour or bitter aroma instead of a sweet aroma, discard it.

How Does Bad Oat Milk Affect You?

Drinking expired oat milk is safe, but drinking spoiled oat milk is not. Expired oat milk is safe, but it may not taste as good as fresh milk. However, dirty oat milk can make you sick. That's because a carton of bad oat milk is contaminated with mold and bacteria. Consuming rotten oat milk can cause food poisoning. Common symptoms of food poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, cramps and nausea. In severe cases, food poisoning can also cause intestinal inflammation. So make sure you only consume fresh oat milk.

Read too: Does the tea expire?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ))

Q1 What happens if you drink bad oat milk?

ResponderIf the label on oat milk says "expired," the milk is still safe to drink. However, if the oat milk shows signs of spoilage (mold, discoloration, etc.), food poisoning could result. Some symptoms of food poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps.

Q2. How to know if oat milk is over?

ResponderRotten oat milk can be identified by signs of spoilage. If the oat milk smells musty, looks musty, or has discoloration, the milk is bad.

Q3 Does oat milk really spoil?

ResponderYes. Like any other seasoning, oat milk can eventually go bad. However, an unopened package of oat milk is safe to consume even after its expiration date.

Q4 Does oat milk smell bad?

ResponderYes. Spoiled oat milk gives off a rancid, unpleasant odor. In addition to the rancid smell, the sweet taste of spoiled oat milk is replaced by a sour taste.

Q5. What does oat milk taste like when it's gone bad?

ResponderSpoiled oat milk tastes very different from fresh oat milk. A sour, sour taste replaces the sweet, nutty flavor of oat milk when it spoils. So make sure you sip the oat milk to check the quality.

the end result

Oat milk is a popular drink for people of all ages. Not only does it go well with baked goods, but it also makes a great addition to smoothies. But to get the most out of oat milk, you need to consume it fresh. To keep oat milk fresh for longer, seal it tightly after use. Keep the oat milk container away from sources of heat and light. Do not freeze oat milk. Any oat milk odor, discard immediately. And if you need help with quality, trust your senses and take a quick sniff. Remember, it's better to buy a pack of fresh oat milk than to see a doctor.