Greece dishes out some of the yummiest and healthiest foods on the planet.
It’s no wonder that Greek yogurt is so popular today.
Greek yogurt is made from thickened milk and contains beneficial probiotics which aid digestion and boost immunity.
It also provides calcium, protein, vitamin D, potassium, and other essential nutrients.
Not only is this food healthy for you, but it’s also an excellent source of fiber.
However, not all Greek yogurt is created equal.
Some brands contain added sugar or artificial sweeteners while others don’t.
Many of them also expire quickly or go bad before they ever reach their full potential.
While this may seem like a minor issue, there are many reasons why you should avoid buying Greek yogurt with a short shelf life.
How can you tell if greek yogurt is bad?
Many people think that Greek yogurt is just another dairy product like regular yogurt.
However, it’s actually more similar to hard cheese than it is to cow’s milk.
The main difference between these two products is that Greek yogurt has a thicker consistency and a lower fat content.
While this may sound like an advantage, it can also be a disadvantage when it comes to taste and texture.
Because of its thickness, Greek yogurt tends to separate easily, especially after it goes off.
This makes it difficult to scoop out and eat without getting liquid on your hands.
If you purchase Greek yogurt at the store, it will most likely come in a clear plastic container.
This type of packaging allows the yogurt to stay fresh longer.
Unfortunately, it also means that you won’t be able to see how much of it is left.
This can make it easy to buy too much.
You can also find Greek yogurt at grocery stores and health food stores.
These types of containers usually have a lid that prevents oxygen from entering the container.
This helps preserve the yogurt until it reaches its peak flavor and texture.
But because these containers are sealed, there’s no way to know exactly how much yogurt you’re purchasing.
To ensure that you aren’t wasting money, take note of the expiration date.
When you open the container, you should notice a distinct change in the aroma.
Yogurt that smells like vinegar or sour cream indicates that it’s gone bad.
If the yogurt doesn’t smell like anything, then it’s probably fine.
Just make sure to keep it stored in a cool place where the temperature stays below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4-7 Celsius).
What are the signs that greek yogurt is bad?
If you’re looking for a quick guide on how to tell if your greek yogurt is bad, here are several signs to look out for.
1.Sour smell
The first thing you notice when you open up a container of greek yogurt is its smell.
This is usually fresh and pleasant smelling, but sometimes it can become sour or even putrid.
If this odor comes from your yogurt, then you need to throw it out immediately.
It could be spoiled due to multiple factors including water content, temperature, and bacteria growth.
This sour aroma is not always a sign of bad greek yogurt.
Sometimes, it’s just because the container was opened too soon or the yogurt has been sitting in direct sunlight for too long.
But if the sour smell continues to grow stronger over time, it might indicate something more serious.
2.Lack of freshness
Another sign that your greek yogurt is bad is if it looks old.
Yogurt doesn’t age well, especially once it’s exposed to heat or moisture.
If you see mold growing on top of your yogurt, it’s likely that the container itself isn’t sealed properly.
You should toss it right away.
You can also look at the consistency of your yogurt.
If it’s hard and dry, it’s probably been stored incorrectly or left outside for too long.
If your yogurt appears to be soft, moist, and runny, you’ve got a good chance that it’s still edible.
However, if it’s very liquidy, it could mean that your yogurt is spoiled and needs to be thrown out.
3.Expiration Date
If you’re not sure whether your greek yogurt is bad, you can simply check the expiration date.
If it’s expired, it means that the yogurt has gone bad and it won’t last much longer.
This is especially true if the yogurt is sour and smells bad as well.
If your yogurt is a little past its prime, you can still eat it.
Just make sure that you consume it within three days once you buy it.
Otherwise, it won’t do you any good.
4.Discoloration
When you purchase your greek yogurt, you want to make sure that it’s not discolored.
If your yogurt starts turning yellow, brown, or black, it’s a sign that it’s rotting.
If you find this type of coloration, it’s best to discard it immediately.
It could potentially lead to illness.
5.Bacteria Growth
If you open up a container of yogurt and see a layer of white foam floating on top, it could be a sign that your yogurt is spoiled.
This foam is often caused by bacteria growth in the yogurt.
If you have this problem, you should discard your yogurt immediately.
6.Texture Change
Yogurt shouldn’t feel soft or rubbery when you touch it.
When you squeeze it between your fingers, you should experience a firm texture instead of one that feels squishy.
If your yogurt has turned into something else, it could be a sign that it’s spoiled.
7.Unpleasant Taste
Even the healthiest yogurt can start tasting bad after awhile.
If you’re worried about the taste of your greek yogurt, you can add fruit or honey to mask the flavor.
Or, you can use plain Greek yogurt instead of flavored varieties.
How do you know if greek yogurt has gone bad?
When choosing Greek yogurt, you want to look for one that has been made with plain whole milk.
This will give you the most nutritional value with the least amount of additives.
Avoid anything with added sugar or artificial sweeteners as these can cause digestive issues.
Also, be wary of any Greek yogurt that has gone off before reaching its full expiration date.
These products are likely to taste off or have an unpleasant odor.
They may even be contaminated with harmful bacteria.
If you find yourself looking at Greek yogurt at the grocery store, it’s important to keep in mind that not all varieties are created equal.
Greek yogurt is now available in flavors such as blueberry, strawberry, banana, peach, chocolate chip, and many more.
There are also organic versions now available.
The best way to determine whether or not Greek yogurt is good for you is to buy the highest quality product you can afford.
For example, the best Greek yogurt that I’ve found is Zaalouk.
It’s produced by a company called Kefi Foods.
What does bad greek yogurt look like?
The first thing you want to check when looking at a container of Greek yogurt is the expiration date.
This is probably the easiest way to tell if the product has gone bad.
In fact, we recently talked about how to find out if your yogurt is expired.
If the yogurt contains any sort of warning sticker on the front or back, it’s likely going to be bad.
On the other hand, if it doesn’t have any stickers, you can still determine whether or not it is expired by smelling it.
When you open up the container, if it smells sour or if it looks moldy, then it’s definitely expired.
However, if it smells fresh or if it appears unblemished, then it is safe to eat.
Of course, you can always buy Greek yogurt specifically designed for cooking or baking, as these products tend to last longer than regular varieties.
In addition to checking the expiration date, you can also check the ingredients list on the package.
You’ll want to make sure that the yogurt contains only whole milk and live cultures (probiotic bacteria).
If you see anything else listed, then you’re better off leaving the yogurt alone.
For example, Greek yogurt often contains stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickeners, and preservatives.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but you shouldn’t consume foods with too many additives.
While these additives might help extend the lifespan of the yogurt, they could also cause adverse health effects in people sensitive to them.
What does bad greek yogurt smell like?
The first thing you notice when you open a container of greek yogurt is its tangy, slightly acidic taste.
This yogurt has been cultured at room temperature over several days and is often thicker than regular yogurt.
However, it can still be eaten by itself without any added toppings.
If you want to add more flavor to your yogurt, you can use fresh fruit, nuts, honey, spices, or even cheese.
Once you eat the yogurt plain, you won’t be able to detect the difference between bad and good Greek yogurt.
But, as we mentioned earlier, some brands contain extra ingredients that change the overall taste and texture of the yogurt.
These additives include high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), artificial sweeteners, and stabilizers.
If you buy greek yogurt with these ingredients, it will be much less flavorful than the original version.
In addition, the texture of the yogurt will become watery and runny after just a few minutes.
This is because the bacteria present in the yogurt are killed off by the preservatives used in these types of yogurts.
You might think that the only way to know whether your greek yogurt is bad is to look at the expiration date.
Unfortunately, this is not always accurate.
Even though the yogurt may appear to be fine on the outside, it could still be contaminated with harmful bacteria inside.
This is especially true if the yogurt was purchased from a store that didn’t keep the product in the refrigerator.
In fact, even if you buy greek yogurt from the grocery store, it’s possible that it has already gone bad.
For example, if you bought the yogurt in bulk and left it out on the counter, then it may have spoiled even before you opened it.
This is because the bacteria present in the air can easily contaminate the food.
What does bad greek yogurt taste like?
If your greek yogurt has gone bad, it will start to smell sour.
Some people describe the smell as “off”, “funny”, or even “fishy”.
In fact, some people swear by the smell as a sign of freshness.
In addition, if your yogurt smells bad when you open it, it probably means that it has been sitting around too long.
This doesn’t mean that it has spoiled – rather, bacteria has grown on its surface.
You can still eat it after this happens, but it won’t be as flavorful as it would otherwise be.
The worst thing about bad Greek yogurt is that it tastes terrible.
As mentioned above, some brands add sugar and/or artificial sweeteners to make up for the lack of flavor.
Other brands use preservatives such as polyphosphates and citric acid to extend the shelf life of their product.
Unfortunately, these chemicals often cause unpleasant flavors to develop over time.
If you want to try and salvage what is left of your Greek yogurt, you can always add fruit or honey to mask the bad flavor.
However, if you’re looking for something more permanent, we recommend trying out the next recipe below!
How long does greek yogurt last?
While it’s true that Greek yogurt can be stored at room temperature up to two weeks, it’s important to consume it within a few days of purchase.
This is because it loses its nutritional value and becomes less appetizing after that time period.
If you buy Greek yogurt in bulk, you might be able to stretch out its lifespan for longer, but even then, you should use it within three months.
The best way to tell if a brand of yogurt has gone bad is by looking at the expiration date on the package.
If it’s been opened, it’s probably already too late to enjoy it.
If it has a fresh scent, it’s still okay to eat as long as it hasn’t started to separate.
As mentioned above, Greek yogurt contains beneficial probiotic bacteria that help maintain good digestive health.
These bacteria also produce lactic acid, which gives the yogurt its tangy flavor.
However, these bacteria die off over time and start to lose their effectiveness.
This is why yogurt that has been sitting around for more than a month tends to taste flat.
This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t eat yogurt that has been open for several days.
There are plenty of brands of yogurt that are safe to consume after they’ve been opened.
However, if you want to prolong the shelf life of your yogurt, you should make sure to keep it cool and store it in a sealed container.
You can also freeze it for a couple of hours to kill any harmful bacteria.
Should I save my Greek yogurt for special occasions?
No.
Unless you are using it to make a specific recipe, you should never save Greek yogurt for later consumption.
Doing so could allow harmful bacteria to grow and lead to serious illness.
When do I add fruit to my yogurt?
Adding fruits to plain yogurt is a great idea.
They provide additional vitamins and minerals, as well as extra sweetness.
Adding sliced strawberries to your yogurt is especially yummy.
You can also try adding honey or maple syrup.
As long as you heat the syrup first, it won’t affect the taste of your yogurt.
In fact, it can actually improve the texture of the yogurt.
A little bit goes a long way, though, so start small until you get used to the taste.
Can you eat greek yogurt after it has expired?
It’s important to note that Greek yogurt isn’t just one thing.
There are two main types, plain and flavored.
Plain Greek yogurt comes in three different varieties: low fat, nonfat and fat-free.
All of these options are dairy free.
Flavored versions come in different flavors, such as vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, blueberry, etc.
The good news is that even though the ingredients list may change from brand to brand, the texture and taste won’t.
As long as the yogurt hasn’t been damaged by heat, light, or air exposure, it will still be edible.
However, the longer the yogurt sits at room temperature, the more likely it is to spoil.
This means that Greek yogurt can become spoiled (or “go bad”) without anyone actually eating it.
While you might think that the yogurt itself is going bad, it’s actually the bacteria that causes it to deteriorate.
Bacteria thrive on anything that is warm and moist, including your refrigerator.
When the yogurt is exposed to high temperatures, it will begin to ferment and produce alcohol.
This is what gives the yogurt its characteristic flavor and makes it less appealing to eat.
Because the bacteria needs moisture, it will continue to grow until it runs out of food to consume.
That’s when it starts to produce gas, causing a sour odor.
If you want to use the leftover yogurt, you can freeze it.
Just make sure that it has cooled completely before you put it into containers.
Frozen yogurt doesn’t have to be eaten right away because it’s sealed inside a container that prevents any further growth.
So, if you need to save some yogurt, freezing it is a great option.
Is it safe to eat greek yogurt that has been left out?
If you buy Greek yogurt, it’s important that you keep it stored properly so that you can enjoy its benefits without any adverse effects.
The first thing you should do after purchasing a container of Greek yogurt is open it up to let it air dry for about 24 hours.
This ensures that the bacteria doesn’t grow too fast and spoil the yogurt.
You should also make sure that the container isn’t leaking because this could lead to mold growth on the surface.
After letting the yogurt sit out for 24 hours, wash it off with warm water and then put it back into the refrigerator until needed.
It’s also important to use fresh yogurt by eating it within a few days of purchase.
Once Greek yogurt goes bad, it loses much of its nutritional value and may even become toxic.
As a result, you shouldn’t consume it at all if it smells bad or tastes strange.
You should also never leave out Greek yogurt for more than two weeks.
This is because if you do, the bacteria can multiply very quickly and spoil the yogurt.
If you have any doubt about whether your Greek yogurt has gone bad, you should toss it out immediately.
If your Greek yogurt does go bad, you can still use it as long as you follow these simple guidelines.
- Always use cold Greek yogurt when making hot recipes.
- Add it once it’s cool and blended well.
How should you store greek yogurt?
Before you buy any product, it’s important to know how long to keep it.
This includes both fresh and dried foods such as meat, nuts, and cheese.
In fact, the USDA recommends storing fresh fruit and vegetables for up to 5 days after you purchase it.
However, if you buy a large amount of these items, you might want to consider buying them when they’re on sale.
When it comes to food, expiration dates are very important.
They are the last step in the process of determining whether something is safe to eat.
When you buy Greek yogurt, look at the expiration date.
If the yogurt is more than two weeks old, it’s time to throw it out.
The reason why Greek yogurt goes bad so quickly is because it’s extremely perishable.
Because it’s made from milk, it requires refrigeration to prevent bacteria from growing.
Unfortunately, this can lead to rapid spoilage.
Even though it’s fermented, Greek yogurt isn’t actually alive.
Instead, it’s just a collection of living bacteria that need oxygen and warmth to grow.
For this reason, it’s important to store Greek yogurt properly so you can reap all its benefits without worrying about getting sick.
Here are three ways to do that.
1.Store it in the fridge
If you live somewhere cold, you’ll probably want to use a refrigerator to keep your Greek yogurt cool.
If you have one, make sure that it’s set at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius).
If you don’t, you could risk spoiling your yogurt by keeping it in a warm place.
Also, make sure that you rotate your yogurt container every couple of days.
Although refrigeration is ideal, it’s not always possible.
If you live in areas where temperatures get hot and humid during the summer, you might have to put your yogurt into the freezer instead.
You can do this by placing your containers in a plastic bag and putting them inside a larger Ziploc bag.
Make sure that you label the outside of the Ziploc bag so you remember what it’s for later.
2.Use a yogurt maker
If you don’t own a refrigerator, you can still make Greek yogurt and enjoy its benefits without spending money on storage containers.
You can find yogurt makers anywhere from $30-$100.
These devices work by combining milk with cultured starter culture.
Once you add this mixture to the machine, it ferments it into yogurt in around 48 hours.
Afterward, you can simply pour the yogurt into containers and store it until you’re ready to consume it.
Because you don’t need to worry about the temperature of your yogurt, you can store it almost anywhere.
You can even leave it sitting out on the counter overnight if you want.
Just be careful not to let it freeze solid since this won’t allow the yogurt to thaw properly.
3.Don’t forget about dry storage
If you live somewhere that gets really hot and humid during the summer, you might want to try hanging your yogurt in a closet or pantry.
Dry environments help protect yogurt from mold growth, so this method is great for those who don’t have access to a refrigerator.
To hang your yogurt, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil and then secure it using string or twine.
Place your yogurt in a cupboard or closet and cover it completely with clothing.
This helps block light and air, preventing mold and mildew from forming.
Be sure to wash your clothes regularly and change them frequently.
This method works well if you plan on storing your yogurt for several months at a time.
However, you shouldn’t expect high-quality results if you only use this method for a few weeks.
As you can imagine, the longer you leave yogurt out, the greater the chance that it will go bad.
Green Apples Frozen Yogurt Recipe
Equipment
- 1 freezer
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup of honey
- Greek-style yogurt 500 gram
- 3/4 cup coarsely grated unpeeled apple
- 1 tablespoon gelatin
- 1/2 cup of apple juice
- 1 tablespoon of passion fruit pulp
- 150 grams of frozen raspberries
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the apple juice and honey. Warm the saucepan over medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon until the honey has melted. Allow the saucepan to cool for five minutes after turning off the heat.
- Sprinkle the gelatin on top of the mixture and stir to dissolve it.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the gelatin mixture, yogurt, and grated apple. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 3 hours, covered with foil.
- Remove the yogurt mixture from the refrigerator and set aside for 15 minutes before serving. Scoop it into serving dishes and top with the passion fruit pulp.
- For the syrup, use frozen raspberry yogurt instead of apple juice. Push 150 g of thawed frozen raspberries through a sieve over a small bowl. Discard the seeds later.
- Frozen mango yogurt- instead of apple juice in the syrup, use water; add 300g of thawed coarsely chopped frozen mango.
Video
Nutrition
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