Flax seeds are a nutritional powerhouse. They’re fiber-rich and loaded with omega-3s, which are an important part of a heart-healthy diet.
Flax milk has become a popular choice among dairy-free milk alternatives. How do you store flax milk?
The best way to store flax milk is in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container. Store it unopened until its use-by or best-by date, and use it within 7-10 days of opening it. For UHT flax milk, store it at room temperature until the best-by or use-by date, making sure to refrigerate it once it’s opened and use it within 7-10 days.
For homemade flax milk, store it in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-5 days after you make it.
Let’s review some more tips for flax milk storage next!
What is flax milk?
Flax milk is made by blending flaxseeds (whole flaxseeds, flaxseed meal, or flaxseed oil) with water. It’s a plant-based milk that’s free of gluten, cow’s milk protein, soy, tree nuts, and other major food allergens.
You can easily make flax milk at home with a blender and cheesecloth to strain it, or you can buy commercial versions.
Some commercial versions add additional ingredients to boost the protein content since flax milk isn’t very high in protein on its own. For instance, Good Karma brand adds pea protein to its flax milk.
Flax milk is especially high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which is one of the ways it stands out among other plant-based milk alternatives.
What’s the best way to store flax milk?
Store-bought flax milk
Store-bought versions will have a best-by or use-by date printed on them, which makes it easier to ascertain how long you can store flax milk in the fridge before it needs to be tossed.
Refrigerated
If you got your flax milk from the refrigerated section of the grocery store, it should be stored in the refrigerator until you finish it. Store it in its original container, ensuring the lid is tightly sealed. You can store it in the fridge until its use-by or best-by date, and be sure to use it all within 7-10 days of opening the container.
Shelf-stable
Shelf-stable versions of flax milk (ultra-high temperature milk/UHT milk) can be kept at room temperature for several months – just be sure it isn’t kept in an area that exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit and that isn’t excessively humid. Once opened, they should be kept in the fridge and used within 7-10 days.
Homemade flax milk
If you make flax milk at home, it should be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days after you make it.
Factors that influence flax milk storage
Temperature
The biggest impact on flax milk storage is the temperature. Not counting sealed UHT flax milk, flax milk should be kept in the refrigerator at all times to ensure its freshness.
Container
Be sure to keep flax milk in a sealed container, which helps keep oxygen and odors from other things in your fridge out of the flax milk.
Homemade vs. store-bought
If you make your own flax milk, it won’t have as long of a shelf life as store-bought versions. The reason is that store-bought plant milks are pasteurized (briefly heated to a high temperature to kill bacteria and other pathogens) before cooling and being packaged, which makes them more shelf stable.
If you buy store-bought versions of flax milk, pay attention to the best-by date, which will give you an idea of how long you can store unopened flax milk.
Signs that flax milk has spoiled
If you’re curious if your flax milk has spoiled, watch for some of the signs below.
Taste: Flax milk should have a subtly nutty flavor and be pleasant-tasting. If it tastes sour, bitter, or just plain “off”, it’s likely past its prime freshness and should be replaced.
Appearance: Flax milk can be anywhere from a creamy white to light brown depending on if it’s homemade or store-bought. If the color changes after you open the container or make a batch yourself, it’s a sign that the flax milk might be spoiled.
Smell: Flax milk has a nutty aroma similar to flax seeds. If it smells bad, then don’t risk using it!
FAQs:
If you make homemade flax milk, be sure to use it within 3-5 days of making it. Store-bought flax milk can be stored unopened until its best-by or use-by date, and once opened it should be used within 7-10 days.
Flax milk is rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, one of its major nutritional perks. Unsweetened flax milk is one of several healthy plant milk choices, especially if it has added protein since flax milk is normally low in protein.
Leave a Comment