Old buttermilk - Can I use it?

14 years ago

Here's my dilemma: I found out this morning from the obituary section of my local paper, that a (formerly close) friend died on Wednesday. I haven't seen them since January, as their lives were naturally consumed with new grandchildren. Of course I want to go over, and am baking some chocolate cupcakes with cinnamon buttercream to take with me.

After I made my second batch, I noticed my buttermilk had a date on it of April 12! This was a carton that hadn't previously been opened, so I used it, thinking it was fresher than it is. Although a bit thick, it still smells and tastes like buttermilk.

Am I going to make anyone sick by serving these? I'm wondering, since often buttermilk lasts far past the expiration date...but I don't know if it lasts this far! Should I eat a cupcake to make sure I won't make anyone sick? Or just start over? I've made two batches of these darn it. The cupcakes look fine, and smell good. What would you do?

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Comments (16)

annie1992
14 years ago
Nah, it's fine. Mine lasts way, way beyond the date on the package, mine says "best if used by", it's not an expiration date.

I figure the stuff is already spoiled, kind of. Grandma would never waste anything and always made cakes and muffins with sour milk without harming us so this is along the same line.

Annie
claire_de_luna
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Annie, for giving me peace of mind. This news smacked me pretty hard, as our friend was only 57. I'm just glad a mutual friend of ours saw the obit in the paper, otherwise I might not have known, since we don't subscribe.

I never know quite what to do at times like this, so I bake. Fortunately, I have a cardboard bakery box I can take over so nothing will need returned, and I've written a note to go with it. It's just so sad.
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annie1992
14 years ago
Oh Claire, I'm sorry you lost a friend so young, I'm sending hugs and peaceful thoughts for you and for the family.

Annie
claire_de_luna
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank You for your kindness, Annie. The family called me this afternoon, for which I was grateful. They were also glad I already knew, since this isn't news anyone ever wants to share. We did find out he died in his sleep, about an hour before he would normally wake up, due to hardening of the arteries. God love him; that's the way I'd like to go.
trudymom
14 years ago
So sorry to hear about your friend, Claire. I'm sure the family really appreciates you. Concerning the buttermilk, I wish I would have asked that question because I just threw out 3 quarts.

Again Claire, you are in my prayers...
claire_de_luna
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you Trudymom. It seems like there's been a real need lately for prayers.

Three quarts of buttermilk! What were you planning on doing with it originally?

We came from our friend's house and she was having a pretty good day after a couple of rough ones. I know it will be tough in the days to come, which is when I plan to be there. The cupcakes went fast and I made some new friends with them. One guy offered to trade me his barbeque sauce which is a local favorite, for a batch of cupcakes!
trudymom
14 years ago
claire, I think I bought three because I was having company and didn't know if I had any at home, so I would just keep buying. I use them for biscuits mainly.

I'm sure it is tough going over to your friend's house, but they must feel so touched that you care.

Sounds like you will be making more cupcakes to trade for some bbq sauce--great idea!

Take care...
Bizzo
14 years ago
(((((Clare)))))
claire_de_luna
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you bizzo; all hugs are appreciated!

The funeral was today. I chose not to go near the open casket, and decided to take some garden flowers to my friend in a few weeks after the excess of funeral flowers are gone, along with a weekly dinner invitation. It certainly felt like ''take a deep breath day''.
annie1992
14 years ago
Claire, I like the weekly dinner invitation idea, so many times a person is surrounded by people and help right after the funeral but a couple of weeks later, when they have time to think and to grieve, there's no one there.

Annie
trudymom
14 years ago
Claire, I always choose not to go up to open caskets--even my dad's. I like to remember people how they were... Hugs to you...

Trudy
claire_de_luna
Original Author
14 years ago
Annie, I know that's true, and I will suggest it.

I have to confess something though, which makes me feel bad. I don't know if it makes me feel bad about myself, or just makes me sad for myself. The reason I hadn't seen my friend since January is because I feel like I had to be the one to make all the effort. DH and I just decided to quit inviting people over, because our invitations are rarely reciprocated. Frankly, I felt it was wearing me out, so I just decided to quit. It's a lot of work to have people here! It seems people always want to come here, but I never get invited anywhere...I'm tired of hosting. I haven't had much of a social life lately, because no one I know seems to want to make any effort besides me! I know this a different circumstance, however, I would like a little bit of energy to come back my way.

Tomorrow is another day.
loves2cook4six
14 years ago
Hugs, Claire.

It is always hard to lose someone you care about.

You could use your weekly dinner invitation to your friend to spring board both your social like and hers. It's really tough when the first few weeks have passed and everyone else is going on with their lives and you are still mourning. Having friends around to help at THAT time is a wonderful thing. Keep it really casual for both of you. Serve just what you where going to make for yourself anyway. Don't make more work than necessary. Your friend will really appreciate the company and the comfort offered during these meals.
annie1992
14 years ago
loves2cook, I absolutely agree. Don't make a fuss and don't do a lot of special dishes, that weekly dinner should be more about support than it is about entertaining.

Or, given the circumstances, just suggest that you bring dessert or cookies one evening (or morning, or afternoon) and go to their house for coffee for an hour or so. That way you aren't using your home, you aren't really entertaining, but they know you are there to support them. it doesn't have to be a full blown dinner party every week, or even any week, just a show of support.

Annie
claire_de_luna
Original Author
14 years ago
I have a dinner planned with another couple and our friend, and will bring it up then. Thank you for your support.
coconut_nj
14 years ago
Claire I'm sorry you are going through this. Sorry for your friend too. I had a similar situation a few months ago when a pretty much former friend died suddenly at a young age. 42. I had stopped seeing them for about the same reasons as you so I understand the dilemma at first. But, yes, when push comes to shove you do come through as you can.

The title of this thread keeps cracking me up. My gauge for if buttermilk is too old is if it's finally so old that it's leaking from the bottom of the carton. Heh...

Old buttermilk - Can I use it?

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Old buttermilk - Can I use it?

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