Oats are one of the world’s oldest foods. Found that they can be used in place of nuts like walnuts, cashews, and almonds in baked goods like bread, muffins, cakes, or cookies. What makes them different is that oat milk contains neither gluten nor casein which makes it an exception to the rule.
Oat milk is a new, delicious way to add instant nutrition and natural goodness to your day. All-natural, low-fat, and gluten-free, oat milk is creamy and delicious. It’s made from one of the most versatile grains around. Not only can you plant oats and reap the rewards, but you’ll also be sipping a quick, refreshing, and nutritious drink in no time! But does oat milk go bad?
Oat Milk:
Oat Milk is a ready-to-drink, creamy, unsweetened oat beverage that is rich in the nutrients and fiber you need. If you’re looking for a great alternative to non-dairy milk — delicious and organic, then we highly recommend oat milk! Oat milk is a non-dairy, gluten-free, and vegan alternative. It can be used in a variety of ways to provide your body with essential nutrients. Still, one question pops up: does oat milk go bad?
Why oat milk and not others?
Oat milk is a type of milk made from ground oats, water, and a sweetener such as sugar or maple syrup. It is rich in health-promoting polyphenols, fiber, calcium, antioxidants, vitamins B1 through B12, zinc, iron, copper, vitamins E and D, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and amino acids. Oats are naturally gluten-free and this milk contains no added sugar which makes oat milk suitable for people with gluten intolerance.
It’s naturally lactose-free, high in protein, and low GI which means it boosts your energy slowly, keeping you fuller for longer. It is a different product from soy milk powder because it does not contain soy or fats that can cause digestion problems or lactose which causes unpleasant side effects in sensitive people.
Oat milk has been shown to have anti-aging properties as well as cholesterol-lowering properties. It’s easy to digest and contains a good source of calcium. It also carries benefits for the environment – it requires less land use, water, and emissions than almond milk production. Oat milk can be used in coffee, porridge, smoothies, desserts, and over cereals.
Does oat milk go bad? How to tell if it happens?
- The texture of milk: Oat milk is smooth in texture, after 4-5 days of opening the carton if we find the texture of the milk has changed from smooth to thick and has few lumps then it’s better to discard it.
- Change in color: The color of fresh oat milk is creamy white, if the color changes to yellowish or dark, then the oat milk may have been spoiled.
- The odor of milk: The smell of milk will change if it has turned bad. It’ll smell sour, do check the smell when it is fresh so we can distinguish it before disposing of it.
- Taste of milk: At the end, do a small check for taste. If the taste is not good or sour then discard. It’ll not be as same as when freshly opened.
- Label date on the carton: Always check expiry, packed date, and how many days we can use after opening the label. If the carton is open for more than 3-4 days, then we must check its odor, consistency, and color before consuming it.
Shelf life of oat milk?
Does oat milk go bad? How to increase its shelf life. Oat milk is a popular alternative to dairy milk among many vegans, vegetarians, and individuals with lactose intolerance. While the shelf life of unopened oat milk containers is typically labeled with instructions that suggest the unopened product will last for up to six months.
Once opened the beverage can last for only 5-7 days total before spoilage occurs. But it’s always recommended to consume fresh as it is rich in nutrients, later it’s not fresh as taste may change so we may not like it. It may vary due to temperature, brand, duration, exposure, etc.
Storing oat milk for a long time.
Oat milk can be stored either on the shelf or in the refrigerator before opening a carton. But once open it must be stored in the fridge. If you are consuming homemade oat milk then it must be refrigerated and consumed within 4-5 days. We can also freeze oat milk, but they also need proper care in the freezing method.
After opening the carton we must reseal it tight and store it in the fridge if it’s not resealable shift it into an air-tight container and then place it in the fridge. While storing it on the shelf, the shelf must be dry, cool, and at normal temperature. Shelf-packed milk can last 1-3 months. The difference in consuming time may see due to various brands. We must always check label dates and read instructions carefully. And shake milk before use.
Oat milk if expired:
It’s always better if we don’t consume any food or drink after expiration. The same applies to oat milk, if the milk has been spoiled it’s recommended to dispose of it. If still consumed we may face health issues or food poisoning may happen.
If we don’t want to discard the product, we can use it as a skin moisturizer, scrub, cleanser, mask, etc, as oat milk is full of nutrients. But we test on a smaller area of skin before experimenting as it may or may not suit skin type. We can also use it for pet cleansers and moisturizers.
Where oat milk can be used:
Oat milk is one of those foods that belong on a plate with a spoon, but also in a smoothie or drink. Even though oat milk can be consumed plain, it makes it extra special if you’re able to mix your oat milk simply with other ingredients. There are so many ways to use vegan oat milk.
It can be used as a substitute component for weight loss as it has less fat, calories, etc, and is high in protein and vitamins. We can mix cereals and oat milk. You can use oats in all sorts of recipes for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They are great when they are in puddings, cookies, muffins, cakes, and snacks. Spread them on bread or waffles for a wholesome meal.
Bonus points are earned using oats in your snacks when they are soaked overnight in fruit juice, coconut water, or even iced tea/coffee. Soak the oats overnight in these liquids and you’ll have a delish recipe to make your next meal!
Final Words….
If you are on a vegan or dairy-free diet, oat milk is a godsend. Made primarily of whole oats, it provides the same nutrients as dairy milk, minus the lactose and cholesterol. Carbohydrates can also help to stabilize blood sugar levels. Oat Milk has taken the food and beverage industry by storm, becoming the new favorite choice of consumers for its health benefits.
Oat milk has become popular in recent years, and for good reason. It’s high in antioxidants and is a great substitute for people who cannot drink soy milk. Hope you got the information about oat milk, its storage, and consumption.
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