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freezing UHT milk?

5 years ago

I bought a bunch of UHT shelf-stable milk last year in anticipation of some summer road trips which obviously didn't happen. As the "best by" date rapidly approaches, I'm wondering if I should toss it in the freezer. The packages have enough give to probably not burst. I know the texture will suffer a bit but it'll be used mainly for cooking and coffee. It'll probably be okay 6 months after the date without freezing...right?

Anyone have experience to share with extending the life of unopened tetrapacks of UHT milk?

Thanks!

Featured Answer

sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)

5 years ago

Should be enough head space if they are the smaller containers. Put one in the freezer today in a plastic bag to test.

Best use by date is just a company guess. Usually good well past but quality might suffer. Fine for coffee and cooking. If bursting is a fear, you could use a bit in your coffee and freeze the remainder.

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Comments (8)

wednesday morning
5 years ago
I would have to google UHT but assume that you are talking about that in the little foil boxes.

I really do think that the packages will burst in the freezer. .

Why not just use it right now? Why wait for it to get past its date? You can always buy more if you want to in the future.

I suspect that it will still be usable for some time after that date. Most things are.
Fori thanked wednesday morning
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Fori
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks!

I'd rather not use it up because...well, it's just not that good. It's good when you don't have access to fresh milk. :)
leahikesgardenspdx
5 years ago
Fori, I have experience with UHT milk. We use it when we're at our summer home for 6-8 weeks and where we have NO refrigeration and there are no quick trips to the store. If it goes too long, I'd say that's 6 months for sure, past it's use by date it tends to separate or clump. It's not appealing. How about mixing it with "regular" milk to use right now? Otherwise freezing seems to be your best option.
Fori thanked leahikesgardenspdx
Fori
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you for the input. I'll freeze one and see if it explodes. If it does, I'll find a way to use it. It'll make a lot of pudding but I'm sure my kids are up to the task if it comes to that!
wednesday morning
5 years ago
Using it to cook with would probably be your best bet, as you suggested, yourself.

I think that Leah......... is right about the quality changing. It may still be good to consume, but not palatable.

I see that it stands for ultra high temperature milk.

Why not just buy some powdered milk to have as a reserve? It seems that it would keep better and longer.
Fori thanked wednesday morning
Fori
Original Author
5 years ago
I'm putting a box in the fridge and instructing the designated shopper to hold off on buying new milk. We'll see how it goes.

(Powdered milk was ruled out by the kids a while back. The boxed milk has been really convenient for extended camping in the middle of nowhere. But we all drink less plain milk now than we used to so perhaps it's time to switch. The most important thing of course is how well does it work in my coffee!)
leahikesgardenspdx
5 years ago
There is no comparison between box milk and powdered milk! So true that box milk is handy when you're out in the middle of nowhere. I find that it keeps quite well once opened, even without true refrigeration, if kept in a cooler. You just have to plan to use it up.
Fori thanked leahikesgardenspdx

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