Almond milk is a go-to option for plant-based milk consumers. The nutty flavor, lactose-free nature, and fewer calories are just some of the reasons why this milk is popular. When it comes to freezing almond milk, most people have no direct answers.
So can you freeze almond milk? Yes, you can freeze milk derived from almonds. It can stay fresh for up to six months in the freezer when properly stored.
However, there will be significant changes in the milk’s flavor and consistency. If you’re considering freezing almond milk, make sure to do it in a proper way.
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Should You Freeze Almond Milk?
Almond milk is made by grinding soaked almonds and preparing a paste. This paste is filtered to get the creamy milk. If you’re freezing pure almond milk, there should be no problem.
You can pour almond milk into a jar and store it in the freezer.
The almond milk available at the supermarkets contains several additives and ingredients. Whether or not you can freeze the milk depends on the manufacturer.
Most companies advise against freezing almond milk. Not because it would lower the nutritional value, but because the milk will get grainy. Freezing causes almond milk (and other kinds of milk) to separate.
Tiny particles like fat droplets, proteins, fiber, and cellulose will separate from water and form granules. That’s the case with homemade almond milk too. Once you thaw it, the texture and smoothness will not be the same.
So, if the graininess is tolerable, you should freeze almond milk for later use.
How To Freeze Almond Milk?
Freezing almond milk isn’t tough. But it requires technique.
There are more than one ways to freeze almond milk. You can either use ice cubes or air-tight containers.
- Freezing almond milk in an ice cube tray
The best way to freeze almond milk is to use ice-cubes and make almond milk cubes. Then place them inside a zip-lock back before storing them in the freezer. Here are the steps to take:
- Clean and prepare the ice cube tray.
- Start pouring the milk into the tray
- Place the tray inside the freezer and let it freeze (it may take 2-3 hours for the milk to solidify, or you can leave it overnight)
- Take out the tray and start removing the blocks
- Immediately place the blocks inside a zip-lock bag
- Squeeze the air out, lock the bag, and place it in the freezer
Freezing almond milk this way will help you defrost it quickly and as per your requirements.
If using the ice cube tray, only pour 80% of the tray volume. That’s because almond milk is almost 88% water. And water expands when frozen. So you need to account for the expansion when pouring the milk.
- Freezing almond milk in a container
The second option for you is to use an air-tight container. This is even more convenient than the first method. Here are the steps you need to take:
- Take a freezer-compatible plastic or glass jar
- Clean it thoroughly and let it dry
- Start pouring the almond milk into the jar
- Leave aside 10-20% of the jar for liquid expansion
- Close the jar tightly with a lid and place it inside the freezer
Take out the jar, thaw the almond milk and use it in your recipes. If you can get milk storage bags instead of pots, that’s even better. Instead of thawing the entire jar, you’d have to thaw only one or two bags at a time.
Can You Refrigerate Almond Milk?
Freezing is not always the best option when it comes to preserving almond milk. If you need to store only for a few days or weeks, consider refrigerating almond milk.
To answer, if you can refrigerate almond milk, yes, you can do so. Refrigerating the milk is more manageable than freezing.
Simply place the container, jar, or packet inside the fridge and let it rest. Inside the refrigerator, almond milk will stay fresh for up to 10 days.
It’s recommended that you refrigerate almond milk soon after the container. One benefit of refrigeration over freezing is that the almond milk won’t feel grainy. When chilled, the milk doesn’t separate. So you can retain flavor and color by storing almond milk between 0-4°C.
How To Thaw Frozen Almond Milk?
After you’ve frozen the almond milk, it’s time to reap the rewards. Thawing frozen almond milk is as easy as it gets.
If you’ve prepared frozen milk cubes, take the required cubes out from the freezer and place them in the fridge. Leave them overnight, and you’ll have chilled almond milk the following day.
Do the same for containers or jars. You should never place the frozen milk directly at room temperature. It could trigger bacterial growth.
As already mentioned, frozen almond milk will get grainy once thawed. To mitigate some of that, process the thawed milk in a blender. It will give more consistency to the milk.
FAQs
Can I freeze the milk in a carton itself?
It’s not recommended to store frozen almond milk in a carton. That’s because cartons are not air-tight or freezer-friendly. When the liquid expands, it may crack open the carton. So freeze only in a freezer-safe container.
How long can I expect almond milk to last in the fridge?
Usually, almond milk will last somewhere between 7-10 days in the refrigerator. But if you’ve kept it near the doors where the temperature fluctuates frequently, it will only last 3-4 days.
Can you freeze almond milk to make ice cream?
Yes, you can. Mix all the ingredients with almond milk and place in the freezer.
Can You Freeze Almond Milk Summary
Almond milk is rich in vitamin E and healthy fats. You should have some of it every day.
Freezing almond milk in cubes is an excellent way to enjoy this delicious drink day after day. You can use it in smoothies, pasta, or thaw and drink the milk.
If you’ve frozen store-bought almond milk, make sure to read the ingredients and directions for freezing. Take necessary measures for best results.
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