This simple trick will prevent milk from souring for up to three weeks.
Keeping milk from going off before you’ve used it can be quite the task. Now, food storage gurus have let us in on a nifty little secret that could keep your milk from turning sour for an impressive three weeks, and it’s all thanks to something you’ve probably got lying around in your kitchen.
Usually, once you crack open a bottle of milk, it’ll last you about four to seven days if you keep it cool in the fridge, though this varies with the type of milk. Full-fat milk tends to go off quicker than skimmed or lactose-free options, which might stay good for up to ten days after the date stamped on them.
But even with these guidelines, loads of us end up pouring our milk down the sink way earlier than we’d like, leading to a right waste.
The clever folks at food waste management service Wheeldon Brothers have come up with a few steps to make sure your milk stays fresh for longer, reports the Express.
“Always add milk to your trolley last,” they recommend, “so it spends the least amount of time outside of refrigeration”.
When you’re back from the shops, pop it into the chilliest part of your fridge, ideally on a shelf rather than the door where the temperature’s all over the place.
But here’s the secret – a straightforward trick with salt. “Adding a pinch of salt to the milk and shaking it gently helps slow the souring process,” the storage whizzes claim.
Salt works a treat because it soaks up extra moisture and stops bacteria in their tracks, meaning your milk won’t go bad as fast. This age-old preservative technique pulls water out of the equation, making it harder for bacteria to grow.
With the right storage and this nifty trick, milk can last up to a week longer than its usual shelf life. This means that a bottle bought a week before its use-by date could stay fresh for almost three weeks.
Freezing is another viable option as milk can be frozen for up to three months, although its texture might alter slightly. To prevent wastage, sour milk can be repurposed in baking, acting as a substitute for buttermilk in pancakes, scones, or homemade bread.
By adhering to these storage tips and using the salt trick, you can prolong the life of your milk, cut down on food waste, and save some pennies in the process.