A carton of rice milk has been left unopened for a few weeks. You don’t know what to do. Does rice milk go bad?
Maybe you just bought rice milk for your first time and are wondering how to store it properly and how it will last.
This article is for those who believe either of these. We’ll cover each of these topics in this article. You should be able to understand how to make rice milk by the end.
How to Store Rice Milk
Unopened rice milk should be kept in a dry, dark, and cool place such as the pantry. After opening it, seal the container tightly and place in the refrigerator.
Keep leftover rice milk in the fridge.
Rice milk storage practices look very similar to almond milk. (Here’s my answer: Does almond milk need to refrigerated?). or soy milk.
Rice milk that is already packaged, such as the Alpro brand, doesn’t require much storage.
You just need to keep it away from heat (which could affect its quality), and in a dry, dark place ([AL]). You can store it in your pantry or kitchen cabinet, and you are good to go.
Once you have opened the package, be sure to keep it in the refrigerator. It’s tempting just to keep it there, but the temperature at room temperature is not ideal for rice milk.
Tip: Pour a glass of wine if you don’t have the time or desire to finish the entire thing immediately. Then, put the leftovers in the refrigerator.
What is the Shelf Life of Rice Milk?
Store-bought rice milk that has not been opened can be kept for up to five days.
Rice milk made from fresh or homemade rice can last for about 3-4 days.
The date printed on rice milk labels is usually one year after the date of production. However, rice milk can keep its quality for several months longer than coconut milk and oat milk.
Although producers may advise against consuming their product after the date, the issue is not about safety but quality ([AL]). This FAQ page from Alpro ([AL]) explains more about the issue.
We advise against using our products after expiration. We cannot guarantee the same quality products after the expiration date.
Information: Do you wonder how rice milk can be preserved so long without the use of preservatives? This is due to the ultra-high temperatures (UHT) treatment ([PV and AL]. This treatment preserves the nutrients and eliminates the bacteria.
The milk should last for approximately a week after it is opened. Although most rice milk manufacturers state that it keeps for five days ([AL]), the milk is usually good for at least two extra days.
How to tell if rice milk is bad?
Rice milk should be thrown out
- A bloated package. Throw the contents away.
- Has a strong rice smell. It’s not good if it smells sharp, stale or off in other ways.
- Containing discolored particles or lumps. Do not drink from the container. Instead, pour the dairy-free alternative milk into a glass. You can inspect the milk alternative and make sure it is in good condition.
- It tastes bad.
- The carton is moldy. After the carton has been in storage for more than a week, take out all contents and then cut in half. You can then check to make sure there aren’t any strange things inside.
- Open rice milk left in storage for longer than one week. It’s time to move it.
As with any other drink, the quality of your beverage will decrease the longer it is left open in the refrigerator. This gradual change can be subtle and you may not notice it.
If you aren’t sure if your rice milk is safe to drink, don’t worry. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
