How to tell if condensed milk is bad? There are many ways you can find out if the sweet condensed milk is still edible or if it has gone bad.
Many baking recipes use condensed milk as an ingredient. But –what if you have a large quality of condensed milk? How would you use it? Does condensed milk go bad? We are going to answer these questions in this article.
Condensed milk can last for years in an airtight container because of its high sugar content. However, you should try to use it within a couple of weeks after you open the can. Still, you have to store it properly otherwise it will go bad earlier than expected.
Can Condensed Milk Go Bad?
Unfortunately, condensed milk will go bad after a while once you have opened the can. However, sugar is a great preservative and will make condensed or sweet milk last longer than unsweetened milk. Similarly, sweetened milk doesn’t have bacteria as well because it goes through a heating process during production.
Keep in mind that you can store unopened condensed milk for years. It can even last a year after its expiry date. On the other hand, you should use open milk as soon as possible.
A fridge is the best place to store opened condensed milk. Never store it in the freezer because it will result in fluid separation. Keep the milk in an airtight container and use it within a couple of weeks.
How Long Does Condensed Milk Last?
The life expectancy of different types of condensed milk is as below.
Unopened Condensed Milk
How long does condensed milk last unopened? Unopened condensed milk can last for years without going bad. There is no danger of the milk getting spoiled even after up to 5 years of the expiry date. A high quality product can last even longer and will remain safe to use. However, its quality will decrease over time.
Opened Condensed Milk
You should not hold on to an opened condensed milk for more than two weeks. However, unsweetened condensed milk will go bad earlier than sweetened milk. It is better to check which kind of product you are buying if you intend to store it for some time.
Use an airtight container to store condensed milk to reduce the chances of spoilage. Otherwise, it will change its color, turn sour, and start smelling.
Homemade Condensed Milk
Homemade condensed milk has no definite shelf life. It all depends on the ingredients you use while making the milk. It will not go bad for at least a week if you store it in an airtight container and put it in the fridge. Similarly, it will last for three months if you put it in the freezer.
How to Tell if Condensed Milk is Bad?
You must know the difference between sweetened and unsweetened condensed milk before declaring them good or bad. Both are concentrated milk with 60% water removed. What differentiates them is the amount of sugar. Sweetened milk has 40% to 60% sugar while unsweetened milk has no sugar at all. Sweetened milk has a longer life than unsweetened milk thanks to sugar, an excellent preservative.
Following are some of the indications of bad condensed milk.
Color
Fresh condensed milk will always be yellowish or pale creamy. Throw it away if it is darker in color or has any hint of discoloration. Some people don’t bother about color change but it is one of the biggest warning signs. You should never use such condensed milk.
Texture
Another important indication is texture. The texture of fresh condensed milk is viscous and like that of chocolate. You should be able to easily pour it from the can. If you cannot, it probably has gone bad and is no longer safe to use. You should also avoid it if it has a thicker texture. Another telltale sign of spoiled condensed milk is lump formation.
Smell
Of course, spoiled condensed milk will have a sour and nasty smell. Fresh milk, on the other hand, has a pleasant and creamy smell.
Taste
If you don’t see any of the above signs when you open the can, check some condensed milk to determine if it is still good to use. Keep in mind that products from different brands have slightly different tastes. But – they should never taste unpleasant or sour.
Cans
Usually, condensed milk is stored in clean and airtight containers. Germs cannot enter the container because of the sterilized environment. Therefore, the condensed milk will stay fresh for years.
Sometimes, however, cans can be leaky, puffed, and rusty, especially if they are not properly sealed. You should never use whatever inside such a can is.
Mold
Condensed milk with mold is always inedible. Mold will develop if you don’t properly store the product after opening the container.
Does Sweetened Condensed Milk Go Bad?
Sweetened condensed milk is a dairy product made from cow’s milk from which water has been removed and to which sugar has been added, yielding a very thick, sweet product. It’s commonly used in desserts and sweet dishes around the world.
Can Sweetened Condensed Milk Expire?
Yes, sweetened condensed milk can expire or go bad. If unopened and stored in a cool, dry place, its shelf life can be quite long due to the high sugar content, which acts as a preservative. However, once opened, it should be refrigerated and typically used within a week to prevent spoilage. Here’s how you can tell if sweetened condensed milk has gone bad:
Smell
If the sweetened condensed milk has an off-smell—sour or similar to the smell of spoiled milk—it’s likely bad and should not be consumed.
Color
Sweetened condensed milk is normally a pale creamy color. If it has turned yellowish or brown (unless it is caramelized sweetened condensed milk), it’s a sign of oxidation or spoilage.
Texture
It should be smooth and creamy. If it has lumps, has become watery, or has a curdled appearance, it has likely gone bad.
Taste
If you’ve determined that there’s no problem with the smell, color, or texture, a small taste test can be the final check. Any off or sour taste is a sign of spoilage, and it should be discarded.
Always check the expiration date on the can and look for any signs of damage to the packaging, which can also affect the milk’s longevity. It’s also important to use clean utensils when handling sweetened condensed milk to avoid introducing bacteria that could cause it to spoil more quickly.
What Will Happen if You Eat Expired Condensed Milk?
You should never consume condensed milk if it has any of the above signs. Eating bad condensed milk can result in food poisoning or at least an upset stomach. You can also experience the following symptoms.
- Stomachache
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Nausea
Most often you don’t need treatment because symptoms are mild. However, you should consult your doctor if the temperature increases above 98.5°C or if diarrhea lasts for more than a couple of days.
How to Store Condensed Milk?
You can easily store unopened condensed milk for years. Airtight cans keep condensed milk fresh and free of contaminants and you can safely eat it once opened. You can even eat it long after its expiry date.
However, it is a different matter when it comes to homemade condensed milk. You must store it in a suitable airtight can and keep it in the fridge at an adequate temperature. This way, you can use it for a couple of weeks after opening the can.
Storing in the Fridge
You don’t need to store unopened condensed milk in a fridge. The container itself provides a safe and suitable environment and can keep it fresh for ages.
On the other hand, high temperatures will result in the early spoilage of milk after it has been opened. It is necessary to put such milk in a fridge. Similarly, transfer the milk to another container because keeping it in the original can significantly shorten its life. It will also become unpleasant to eat as it picks up odors from other foods.
Always store opened condensed milk in an airtight container whatever it is. It will help you store the milk for two weeks without any danger of going bad.
Don’t keep homemade condensed milk at room temperature. Otherwise, it will go bad pretty quickly. You have to store it in a fridge at all costs.
Storing in a Freezer
Putting condensed milk in a freezer increases its life to a few months. However, the quality and flavor of the milk will decline over time. It can also result in layer formation. Therefore, always whisk the milk before using it.
Storing in a Pantry
You can always keep unopened condensed milk in the pantry. It can remain fresh even at room temperature. However, you can also store it in a kitchen cabinet or any other cool and dry place.
Keep cans of milk away from moisture, direct sunlight, temperature fluctuations, and a heat source.
Also Read: Does Mac And Cheese Expire Or Go Bad?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is condensed milk bad if it’s brown?
Any change in color means the condensed milk is probably bad. Some people will eat condensed milk even if it is discolored. However, you should avoid it if you notice any color change.
How long until condensed milk goes bad?
Unopened condensed milk can last for years, even after its expiry date. However, you should consume opened condensed milk within a couple of weeks. After that, it will start going bad.
Can sweetened condensed milk go bad?
Unfortunately, it can, especially after it has been opened. It will start spoiling after a couple of weeks. However, you should also throw away unopened condensed milk if the can is puffy, rusty, or leaked.
Final Thoughts
So, you now know how to tell if sweetened condensed milk is bad. You can store unopened condensed milk for years, even a year after its expiry. All it needs is a cool and dry place. Once opened, store it in an airtight container and put it in a fridge. However, consume it within two weeks at most. Discard the milk if its color changes, it smells bad or the can is bulgy, leaked, or rusty.