Sweetened condensed milk overflows with a delightful, sugary happiness.
It’s great for baking and cooking, but it also works as a dessert topping or a dip when mixed with other ingredients.
However, like all foods, sweetened condensed milk will eventually get old, so you need to know how to store it safely.
Sweetened condensed milk contains sugar, so it doesn’t usually last very long once it goes bad.
In fact, it can spoil in just a few days.
If you have an open container of sweetened condensed milk and you don’t use it up quickly, you might want to throw it away.
But before you do, you should check its expiration date and make sure it hasn’t spoiled.
Here’s what you need to know about sweetened condensed milk.
How can you tell if sweetened condensed milk has gone bad?
If your sweetened condensed milk looks cloudy or separated, then it probably isn’t good anymore.
The texture of the milk will change from liquidy to thick and grainy.
It may even form clumps or curdle.
The only way to know for sure whether your sweetened condensed milk has spoiled is by tasting it.
If it tastes off, then it’s not going to be safe to eat.
You could try to save it by freezing it, but this won’t help much because it will still taste bad after being frozen.
What are the signs that sweetened condensed milk has gone bad?
There are several signs that your sweetened condensed milk is no longer safe to eat.
Here are some examples:
- Milk separates into two layers.
- It smells sour or moldy.
- It looks slimy or gelatinous.
- It turns brown or black.
- It becomes sticky or gummy.
- It turns solid or crystallizes.
- It has a foul odor.
If any of these things happen to your sweetened condensed milk, then it’s best to discard it immediately.
There’s nothing you can do to save it.
How long does sweetened condensed milk last?
You can keep sweetened condensed milk in its original packaging for a long time, but it won’t last forever.
According to food safety experts, sweetened condensed milk has a shelf life of three months at room temperature.
This means that it will stay good for about nine months if you buy it fresh.
However, if you purchase powdered sweetened condensed milk, then it will last a lot longer than that.
For example, a one-pound bag of the stuff can last for more than four years if kept in a cool, dry place.
Can sweetened condensed milk be frozen?
Yes, sweetened condensed milk can be frozen.
However, it must be kept in the freezer for at least six months in order to preserve its quality.
Once it’s in the freezer, you can thaw it out whenever you need it.
What happens if you eat expired sweetened condensed milk?
If you have a container of sweetened condensed milk that’s past its expiration date, then you shouldn’t eat it.
Even though it’s not dangerous to consume, it’s still not safe to eat.
That’s because the bacteria that causes food poisoning grows faster in warm conditions, such as those found inside your body.
Bacteria can grow in sweetened condensed milk because it contains sugar, which provides fuel for the growth of harmful organisms.
When you eat expired sweetened condensed milk, it puts you at risk for developing foodborne illness.
Is it safe to drink sweetened condensed milk that has been sitting out?
No, it’s definitely not safe to drink sweetened condensed milk that has been sitting out for too long.
Even though it doesn’t contain any bacteria, it can become contaminated with bacteria over time.
You don’t want to take a chance on getting sick, especially if you plan to serve it to children.
How should sweetened condensed milk be stored?
Keep sweetened condensed milk in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark location.
Ideally, it should be stored in the refrigerator.
It’s best to keep it there until you finish eating it.
What is the shelf life of sweetened condensed milk?
The shelf life of sweetened condensed milk is three months at room temperature.
A one-pound bag of the stuff can last for more than four years in the freezer.
Can sweetened condensed milk be refrigerated?
Yes, sweetened condensed milk can be stored in the refrigerator.
You should keep it there until you finish using it, and then toss it out.
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