You have possibly heard of a joke on sour cream- How can you make out when it has become spoiled, if it is originally sour in taste?
The same question can be asked in case of yogurt that already consists of bacteria. Some sorts of the yogurts are prepared by applying useful active cultures that generate acids, which transform milk into sour liquid during the process of fermentation. And due to all these processes, yogurt gets a unique sour tang. Thus, you are perhaps thinking how to store yogurt or how to make out the spoiled yogurt. Here, an article may make your idea much clear.
Although the yogurt is obviously the product of milk fermentation, it may become spoiled. Yogurt is, in fact, such a dairy item, which offers lots of benefits to health, and that is why you should know about its proper storage method.
Freezing of yogurt
Just as many other dairy goods, available in the market, yogurt needs to be preserved in the refrigerator and should be always strongly covered. If this is uncovered, then it may take stinks from some other foodstuffs in your fridge. As a result, it begins to dry off. While you want to increase the yogurt’s shelf life, you may freeze it up. Yogurt must be properly frozen in some sealed bottle and defrosted in the fridge. You must not attempt to accelerate the process of thawing by placing your yogurt under normal room temperature.
You may freeze an amount of yogurt when you don’t think that you may consume it prior to its spoilage. It may be maintained for almost 3 months in your freezer in actual container. But, freezing any kind of yogurt may not be always perfect as its texture is likely to get altered while you have thawed your yogurt. Though the taste generally stays intact when not stored within the freezer for extreme period (more than 3 months), most of the consumers find out watery quality upon thaw and separation.
On the other hand, many people make use of already frozen yogurt along with some other components. This adds up to unique choice of texture while utilizing thawed or softened yogurt.
More about the storage of yogurt
The possible shelf life that you may find for yogurt mainly depends upon how the product has been preserved. Yogurt has to be sealed properly in the original package or similar other airtight box. It will assist to prevent bacteria from accessing the box and may also maintain the fresh taste of the yogurt.
If you want to keep yogurt in a fridge, then temperature must at about 40 °F or lower than that. Besides, it is essential not to allow yogurt to stagnate for very long period under room temperature. FDA suggests that perishable foodstuffs, such as, yogurt must be placed at standard temperature or room temperature for not more than 2 hours in order to prevent appearance of damaging microbes. At about 90 °F, this time period must not go beyond 1 hour. Thus, if the product can be placed back to fridge sooner, it is better.
Signs that indicate the yogurt is not fresh
Those, who love to eat yogurt perhaps know the fact that yogurt offers sour flavor, and it is natural. With the passing of time, yogurt becomes little sourer that is still edible for you. But, when you find an intense sour tang, it possibly indicates that your product is going to be rotten very soon or has already spoiled. Moreover, some other odd taste or smell must be traced as an indication of the expiry of the product.
Discoloration is also another sign to denote spoilage. For instance, a simple yogurt must not have some other color except clean white. If a symptom of discoloration or mold is seen, the yogurt must be disposed of.
While the yogurt sits, the product is obviously likely to absorb some amount of water on its surface. It may be referred to as usual separation and is thus not unsafe to your health. It may be recovered to sustain nutrients or poured out to generate a thicker quality yogurt. But, a huge amount of water on its surface may sign the foremost symptoms of spoilage. Always be careful about the expiry date of yogurt, particularly when you find curdling.
While you have doubts on the above stated symptoms of rancidity, it is better to only remove the yogurt in order to keep away from possible severe illness.
Shelf life, expected from yogurt
It is very hard to identify the precise numbers while you want to know yogurt’s shelf life. This factor depends mainly on type of yogurt (flavored, probiotic, or low fat) that you are using and also its manufacturer. Obviously, when you like to leave the yogurt at usual temperature, it may turn to its rancid state within one or two days (if it is not unopened and pasteurized).
Thus, you must try to store it properly. Usually, the most excellent thing that you may do now is to ensure its best-by or sell-by date. The date signifies how much it must present its good flavor. When the yogurt remains sealed, it has to be excellent for almost 1 or 2 week (or more in some cases) before the stated date. If you open the bottle, you must not forget to store this securely in the refrigerator for about one week, if it has not gone beyond its use-by time. If it is true in your case, yogurt may become spoiled faster than within one week.
Thus, it is to be stated in conclusion that yogurt may last for about ten to fourteen days. When you find some unusual things in your yogurt, it is better to throw it away.
However, if you have extra yogurt in your household and want to use it before its spoilage, you may apply it for fruit juice or any other delicious juice to enjoy the right taste.
