Acidophilus milk isn’t as popular as regular cow’s milk, but you should store it the same way!
The best way to store acidophilus milk (both regular/fermented and sweet versions) is in the refrigerator (below 40 degrees Fahrenheit) in a sealed container.
If you haven’t heard of acidophilus milk, don’t worry – we’ll fill you in before we talk more about the best way to store it!
What is acidophilus milk?
Acidophilus milk is milk that has been fermented with bacteria, typically Lactobacillus acidophilus. These types of bacteria are considered beneficial and healthy for your digestive tract and won’t make you sick, unlike other strains of bacteria.
There are two types of acidophilus milk: sweet and regular/fermented. Sweet acidophilus milk tastes more like regular milk, whereas fermented acidophilus milk has a sour taste similar to yogurt and kefir.
(Sweet acidophilus milk has the bacteria added to the milk without being fermented, while the regular/fermented acidophilus milk allows the natural sugars in the milk to be fermented by the bacteria, which leads to the distinct yogurt-like sour flavor.)
Potential benefits of acidophilus milk
Why drink acidophilus milk? First, the beneficial bacteria present in acidophilus milk can help support a healthy digestive system, as well as other aspects of your health. Second, acidophilus milk (the fermented kind) might be better tolerated if you have lactose intolerance since the bacteria break down the lactose (natural sugar in milk), making it easier to digest.
What’s the best way to store acidophilus milk?
You should store acidophilus milk the same way you store regular cow’s milk – in the fridge! Make sure the container is tightly sealed to prevent oxygen from entering, which can shorten its shelf life.
You should use acidophilus milk by its expiration date since it’s prone to spoiling after that date. If you want to freeze acidophilus milk you can (the bacteria survive freezing, but not excessive heat), but it can change the texture of the milk when it’s thawed.
Factors that influence acidophilus milk storage
Temperature
Like most types of milk, the biggest factor that impacts its storage is temperature. If you store perishable milk outside of the refrigerator, it can go bad quickly.
The ideal temperature inside a refrigerator is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below – spending time above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for a couple of hours can make perishable products unsafe due to potential bacteria growth (the “danger zone” for bacterial growth in food is 40-140 degrees, meaning you should heat raw foods above 140 degrees Fahrenheit and keep cold foods below 40 degrees Fahrenheit!).
Freezing milk can prolong its shelf life, but can impact the texture once it’s thawed.
Container
Be sure to store acidophilus milk in a tightly sealed container, such as the plastic jug or carton it comes in. Storing it in an uncovered jug or cup can reduce its shelf life by allowing additional oxygen in, which can cause the fat and sugars in acidophilus milk to go bad.
Signs that acidophilus milk has spoiled
Taste: Don’t let the taste of acidophilus milk throw you off in terms of whether or not it’s spoiled. Remember that regular acidophilus milk will have a slightly tangy taste, similar to yogurt. That doesn’t mean it’s bad! However, if it tastes a LOT more sour than when it was fresh, it can be a sign that it’s spoiled.
For sweet acidophilus milk, the taste should be similar to regular milk, so if it tastes bad it’s probably a sign of spoilage.
Appearance: Acidophilus milk has a similar appearance as regular milk and should be a creamy white color. If there are clumps in your milk (like yogurt), it’s time to toss it!
Smell: If you give the container a whiff and it’s overly sour, it could be a sign that it’s going bad. However, there will likely be a subtle sour smell even when it’s fresh due to the fermentation, so it’s important to give it a whiff when it’s fresh so you can compare!
FAQs:
Acidophilus milk contains probiotics (beneficial bacteria) that can support healthy digestion and other aspects of your health. It also might be better tolerated if you have lactose intolerance, but it’s not suitable for milk allergies.
Most types of acidophilus milk are “gently” pasteurized to kill potentially harmful bacteria that could make you sick.
Acidophilus milk has beneficial bacteria (probiotics) added to it, whereas regular milk lacks these probiotics.
Both acidophilus and regular milk are dairy products with cow’s milk protein and both contain lactose, but acidophilus milk might be better tolerated if you have lactose intolerance compared to regular milk.
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