We’ve all been in that situation where you reach for milk for your tea or breakfast cereal just to realise it’s already gone sour. Once opened, milk typically lasts four to seven days past its printed date when refrigerated, so if you’ve bought a particularly big bottle, it may go off long before you’re even close to finishing.
However, food storage experts from Wheeldon Brothers have shared one simple method for keeping your milk fresh for longer – adding salt. They explain: “Adding a pinch of salt to the carton and shaking it to distribute the salt evenly can help. Salt minerals slow the souring of milk by drawing out water molecules, which lowers water activity and, in turn, inhibits bacterial growth.”
Alongside adding salt to your milk, the experts stress that it shouldn’t be stored in the fridge door, but actually at the back of your fridge, where temperatures are cooler and more consistent.
“Dairy products should ideally be stored at the back of the fridge, as the front and door are exposed to warmer air each time the door is opened,” they explain.
They also recommend adding milk to your trolley last when doing your weekly shop, as this gives it the best chance of remaining at a stable temperature. It should then be refrigerated immediately after returning home.
It’s also worth considering your choice of milk. Unopened whole milk typically lasts five to seven days, while reduced-fat and skim milk can last over seven days.
You could even opt for non-fat and lactose-free milk, which lasts even longer. When kept in the fridge, it usually remains good for seven to 10 days past the printed date.
If you’re still concerned about not using your milk in time then you can always freeze it. Frozen milk can be stored for up to three months – just make sure that the container or carton you use for freezing has enough space at the top to allow for expansion.