Oat Milk Shelf Life
Fresh oat milk vs. long-life oat milk
The shelf life of unopened and opened oat milk is dependent on the type of oat milk we are referring to.
There are two main types of oat milk you will find in a supermarket, the first is called "fresh oat milk". This is oat milk which you'll find in the refrigerated section of a supermarket.
The other type of oat milk is "long-life oat milk", also known as UHT, and you'll find this on ambient supermarket shelves.
What is UHT / long-life oat milk?
UHT stands for ultra-high temperature processing and involves heating oat milk to kill bacteria, allowing it to be stored at room temperature for extended periods.
This process has been used for many years in the dairy and alternative milk industry.
What is the shelf life of unopened oat milk?
1️⃣ Unopened fresh oat milk can be stored for between 7 and 14 days from the manufacturing date to when first opened, although it must be refrigerated during this period.
2️⃣ Unopened long-life oat milk (UHT) can be stored for between 6 and 12 months from manufacturing date to when first opened. Long-life oat milk doesn't need to be refrigerated during this period.
What is the shelf life of opened oat milk?
1️⃣ Once opened fresh oat milk should be consumed within 5 to 7 days after opening, the oat milk must be refrigerated during this time to keep it fresh.
2️⃣ Once opened long-life oat milk (UHT) usually lasts longer than fresh oat milk once opened. This will depend from brand to brand, but is usually in the region of 7 to 10 days after opening.
Long-life oat milk must also be refrigerated once opened.
The above information is purely for guidance and a simple smell test if often the best way in determining if your oat milk is still good to use!
What is the shelf life of homemade oat milk?
The shelf life of homemade oat milk is generally shorter than store bought varieties and is generally good for 2 to 4 days.
This is because store bought oat milk is often treated with heat to kill bacteria and may contain life extending preservatives.
To extend the shelf life of your homemade oat milk try the below tips:
- Clean your equipment thoroughly before making the oat milk.
- Try adding a little salt as it can act as a natural preservative.
- Refrigerate straight away and store in an airtight container.
- Try using filtered water to make homemade oat milk.
Is UHT oat milk bad?
While UHT oat milk is safe for consumption, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
❌ Nutrient loss: Some nutrients may be lost by the UHT process, although the impact is typically fairly minimal.
❌ Additives: UHT oat milk may contain more additives compared to non-UHT varieties as it is optimised for shelf life.
Additives vary between products so check the label to be sure. Check out our guide on common additives in oat milk for more info.
❌ Taste and Texture: The UHT process can slightly alter the taste and mouthfeel of oat milk, which may not be preferable for some consumers.
Throwing away too much oat milk?
If you find yourself discarding unused oat milk frequently, consider trying oat milk powder.
Dried oat milk has a naturally long shelf life without the need for UHT or preservatives! Plus you only make exactly what you need, when you need it, so it's zero waste.