Most milk is freezable and will maintain its quality if frozen for up to 3 months. People can also freeze soy milk and other dairy alternatives as well as breast milk.
It also allows households to have a backup milk supply when they are running low. It extends the natural life of milk, so instead of throwing it away when it spoils, people can thaw it and use it when it suits them. In this way is can save money and reduce waste.
People can freeze most milk, including breast milk or human milk. Frozen milk retains its nutritional profile when it thaws, and the sooner someone freezes it, the better the milk quality after thawing. The enzymes and fat-soluble vitamins it contains may decrease very slightly but largely remain the same.
This article provides tips for freezing different types of milk and how to defrost it. It also answers some common questions about freezing milk.
To keep milk fresh for as long as possible, it should remain at a temperature of between 32°F and 39.2°F (0℃ and 4℃). If its temperature rises above 39.2°F (4℃), bacteria may grow, resulting in the milk spoiling sooner and becoming undrinkable.
There are a wide variety of plant-based and nondairy alternatives to milk, and they are all suitable for freezing.
Freezing nondairy milk is similar to freezing cow’s milk. The milk may separate slightly, the flavor and odor may change slightly, and the texture may be grainier. The thawed milk is suitable for cooking, adding to tea or coffee, or using in a smoothie.
Freezing human milk enables parents and caregivers to build up supplies to use at their convenience. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer the following tips for freezing breast milk:
Fill a large bowl with cold water and put your frozen milk in it so the water covers it. Then, put the bowl in the fridge for 30 minutes. Replace the water and refrigerate the milk for another 30 minutes so it thaws completely. This works best for cartons of milk that are smaller than 1⁄2 gallon (1.9 L) in size.
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Why does thawed milk sometimes spoil?
Milk can spoil if its temperature rises above 39.2°F (4℃). How long a person can use thawed milk depends on how fresh it is when they freeze it. To be safe, people should use milk as soon as possible after thawing it. A person should pay attention to any signs of spoiling, such as a strong odor or lumpy consistency.
The milk looks strange when it thaws. How can a person prevent this?
The fat in milk often separates from the liquid when it thaws. Shaking the milk or using a blender should help bring it back together.
How to Freeze and Defrost Milk – Saving Money on Groceries
FAQ
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