What happens to almond milk when you freeze it?

Almond milk has become an increasingly popular plant-based milk alternative in recent years. With its creamy texture and nutty flavor, almond milk can be used in many of the same ways as regular dairy milk – in cereals, coffee, smoothies, and more. Some people even prefer it over dairy milk due to dietary restrictions, health reasons, or simply for the taste.

But what happens if you need to store almond milk for an extended period of time? Can you freeze almond milk? And if so, how does freezing affect the taste, texture, and usability of almond milk?

Can You Freeze Almond Milk?

The short answer is yes, you can absolutely freeze almond milk if you’d like to store it for more than a week or so. Freezing is a great way to stock up on sale prices at the grocery store or simply keep extra almond milk on hand for longer storage.

Unlike dairy milk, almond milk can be frozen because it does not contain the same proteins and fats. The lack of cream in plant-based milks like almond milk means they can be frozen without separating or curdling.

How to Freeze Almond Milk

Freezing almond milk is easy!

First, make sure you are using unopened, sealed containers of almond milk. Once opened, you should consume almond milk within about a week for food safety reasons.

Next, check the “best by” date on the container. Only freeze unopened almond milk that is still within the recommended use by date. Freezing cannot “reset” an expired almond milk carton.

Finally, simply place the sealed almond milk container in the freezer as is. There’s no need to pour it into a separate container or freezer bag. The almond milk cartons are already designed to withstand freezing temperatures.

Tips for Freezing Almond Milk

• Make sure all containers are sealed tightly before freezing.
• Lay cartons flat in the freezer to conserve space.
• Avoid freezing almond milk if it has been previously thawed.
• Label milk cartons with the date before freezing for easy identification.
• Use frozen almond milk within 2-3 months for best quality.

How Does Freezing Affect Almond Milk?

Freezing almond milk does lead to some changes in the product’s appearance, taste, and texture compared to fresh almond milk.

Here is how freezing typically affects almond milk:

Appearance

• The color may darken slightly or appear more yellow.
• Frozen milk may separate, leaving watery liquid at the top.
• Ice crystals can form throughout the almond milk.

Texture

• The consistency usually becomes thicker after thawing.
• Almond milk can take on a gel-like texture from freezing.
• Particles from separated milk remain even after shaking or stirring.

Taste

• The flavor will be more concentrated due to water loss.
• May develop chalky, stale, or unpleasant aftertaste.
• Sweetness can taste muted or altered.

While frozen and thawed almond milk is still perfectly usable for most purposes, the changes to the quality are noticeable. Some people consider the altered taste and texture to be undesirable. However, others don’t mind the differences.

Thawing Frozen Almond Milk

To thaw frozen almond milk properly:

1. Refrigerate carton overnight. This helps thaw slowly and prevent damage to texture.
2. Give thawed milk a good shake or stir.
3. Taste and inspect appearance before use.
4. Consume within 2-3 days of thawing.
5. Avoid re-freezing any unused thawed almond milk.

Microwaving or quickly heating frozen almond milk can cause it to curdle, so refrigeration thawing is best. The shaking helps redistribute any separated water and particles for a more uniform consistency before drinking.

How to Use Thawed Almond Milk

While the taste and texture of thawed, previously frozen almond milk will be different, it can still be used in many of the same ways as fresh almond milk.

Baking and Cooking

Frozen and thawed almond milk works well in baked goods, smoothies, oatmeal, soups, sauces, and more. The altered flavor and texture gets blended in with other ingredients.

Coffee and Tea

The thicker, creamier texture of thawed almond milk is actually desirable for many people to add to hot coffee or tea. Give it a good whisk before pouring into the hot beverage.

Cereal and Porridge

While less ideal on its own as a drink, thawed almond milk will blend into cereals or porridge without issue. The chalky taste gets masked by the other flavors.

Avoid as a Beverage

Drinking previously frozen almond milk on its own may be less palatable than fresh due to concentrated flavor and muted sweetness. Best to avoid as a standalone beverage.

Storage Time for Frozen Almond Milk

How long does almond milk last in the freezer?

Sealed, frozen almond milk stays safe for approximately:

• 2-3 months for best quality
• 4-6 months for decent quality
• Up to 9-12 months while still safe to consume

As freezing time increases, so do the impacts to taste, smell, and texture. Almond milk will generally last longest while retaining peak quality if used within 3 months in the freezer.

Be sure to label any frozen almond milk with the freeze date so you know how long it has been stored.

Signs Your Frozen Almond Milk Has Gone Bad

How can you tell if previously frozen almond milk has spoiled and needs to be discarded?

Signs that frozen almond milk has gone bad include:

• Off smells like sourness or staleness
• Change in color to yellow or grey
• Lumpy, grainy, or curdled texture
• Mold present anywhere on container or milk
• Expanded or leaking container

Any thawed almond milk exhibiting these qualities should be thrown out. Do not consume frozen almond milk past the safe usage timeframe.

Benefits of Freezing Almond Milk

Freezing is a smart way to make almond milk last longer while retaining much of its usability. Here are some of the top benefits of freezing almond milk:

• Stock up on sales – Buy extras when almond milk goes on sale to freeze for later.
• Reduce food waste – Freezing helps keep unused portions from going bad as quickly.
• Always have it on hand – Eliminates running out between grocery trips.
• Convenience – Thaw just what you need when you need it.
• Extend shelf life – Keeps almond milk safe and usable for extra months.

Downsides of Freezing Almond Milk

While generally safe and effective, there are some downsides to storing almond milk in the freezer to consider:

• Can alter taste and texture somewhat.
• Requires advance planning to thaw.
• Cartons take up valuable freezer space.
• Possible freezer burn if stored too long.
• Cannot re-freeze once thawed.

Comparison to Refrigerating Almond Milk

How does freezing compare to simply refrigerating almond milk? Here is a quick comparison:

	Refrigerating	Freezing
Shelf Life	5-7 days	2-12 months
Best Use By	One week after opening	2-3 months for optimal quality
Flavor and Texture	No noticeable change	Can be altered somewhat
Thawing Required	No	Yes
Benefits	Easy, no prep needed Maintains fresh taste	Extends shelf life significantly Makes stocking up simple

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you freeze almond milk in its original container?

Yes, you can freeze almond milk in its original carton or container. There is no need to first transfer it to a freezer bag or different vessel.

Can frozen almond milk be used in smoothies?

Yes, previously frozen almond milk can be used in most smoothies without issue. The almond milk will blend smoothly into the other ingredients.

Is it necessary to shake thawed almond milk before use?

Shaking or stirring thawed almond milk helps redistribute any separated water and particles. This results in a more consistent, smooth texture and flavor.

Can you freeze almond milk more than once?

No, it is not recommended to freeze and re-freeze almond milk multiple times. The texture and taste will degrade much more quickly with repeated freezing and thawing.

Does freezing almond milk kill any nutrients or vitamins?

Minimal nutrient loss occurs due to freezing almond milk. However, the small reduction in vitamins like A, D, E, and C after freezing is typically negligible.

The Bottom Line

Freezing is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of almond milk while retaining most of its flavor, texture, and nutrition. While some compromises to taste and consistency will occur after thawing, frozen almond milk remains perfectly usable in smoothies, cereals, baking, and more. Just avoid drinking it straight as a beverage. And make sure to label and use frozen almond milk within 2-3 months for best quality results.

So go ahead and stock up on sale priced almond milk, transfer any leftovers to the freezer, and simply thaw as needed! With proper freezing and storage techniques, you can enjoy almond milk long after purchase while cutting down on food waste.