How Long Does Yogurt Last? Does Yogurt Go Bad?

One can get yogurt stored in every household because every age group loves them.

That is the reason people buy them in bulk quantities, so yogurt is available whenever anyone ask for it.

However, people get stressed during storage as they are unaware of the period until which one can store yogurt.

Therefore they think do yogurt go bad? Whenever you find an old stored yogurt, then make sure that you do not consume it right away.

This is because bad yogurt can cause harm and illnesses as it upsets your stomach.

One can face several issues, such as cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

What is Yogurt?

This milk product is made by fermenting milk from a specific microorganism.

These days yogurt comes in different types, such as low-fat, creamy, drinkable, bio yogurt, and many more.

Some essential elements to make this are raw milk, fruits, essence, sugar, and other material.

The process of converting milk into yogurt is known as lactic acid fermentation.

This is more common in people’s diets because of its nutritional values, which will vary according to the type of yogurt.

There are two types of yogurt that are plain yogurt and sweetened yogurt.

These are rich in protein which improves the digestibility of a person; because of the fermentation process, the yogurt became easier to digest.

It also contains amino acids and keeps you full for a more extended period.

Besides this, they also contain calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamins, and many other nutrients.

How Long Does Yogurt Last? Does Yogurt Go Bad?

Shelf life is the period till which one can have any product without getting any harm.

However, many people get confused and consider the bets by date as the product’s shelf life.

That is incorrect as best-by dates are provided by the manufacturing brand, and it indicates the time until the quality of the product can be preserved.

Yet the products are safe to eat same goes for yogurt, as it comes with a best-by date till which its quality is at its peak.

But if you do not store it properly, it can go bad quickly.

If we talk about the shelf life of an unopened yogurt jar, it can be stored in the fridge for 2 to 3 weeks.

If you want to increase its storage period, you can preserve it for 1 to 2 months.

On the other hand, an opened container can only be preserved for up to 1 week.

For opened yogurt, freezing is a better option as they can preserve the quality of yogurt for a month.

You must keep in mind that you must not store the yogurt at room temperature as it does not last long at high temperatures.

How to Tell if Yogurt Have Gone Bad?

• Unpleasant Smell

The easiest way to identify bad yogurt is by using your smelling sense.

Once you find an old yogurt, then be sure to look for bad signs first and then only have it.

If the yogurt has gone bad because of long and opened storage, it will develop a bad smell.

Therefore you can sniff it and check whether the aroma of the yogurt is fine.

One should do it immediately if it gives an odor or foul smell.

• Formation of Molds

One more sign that can help you to indicate bad yogurt is the growth of mold.

That is because they are easy to find and only develop when your yogurt has bacteria.

Therefore you can look closely at the surface and see if any molds or spots are present.

If you see any mold, do not consume the yogurt, as it can cause food poisoning.

• Water Gathers on the Surface

When you keep the yogurt for some time then, it contains a liquid on the surface which is normal.

However, if it contains an excess amount of water, then it is a sign of spoilage.

Yogurt contains excess water from it only when there is a formation of microbes in it.

Therefore one should avoid having yogurt if there is excess water on the surface.

How to Store Yogurt?

• Refrigeration

When you buy a pack then, be sure to put it in the freezer, as flavored yogurt cannot stand long at room temperature.

Yogurt variations like Greek style and dairy-free yogurts need refrigeration as; otherwise, they will be prone to yogurt.

• Cover or Wrap

When you store the yogurt in the fridge and do not cover it, then it will dry out after a short span.

Therefore one needs to make sure that they cover or wrap the yogurt before storing it in the fridge.

For covering, you need a paper or lid that can restrict air and moisture from entering the jar.

• Airtight Container

If you want that yogurt gets intact with any other thing, then you can also use an airtight jar.

This will surely seal the container correctly.

Some people only prefer to store these in the original packaging, but sometimes they get damaged, so they can use a Ziploc bag and store it without any problem.

Conclusion

Make sure to see molds if you are eating an old stored yogurt.

One can use the above-provided information to make their yogurt last for an extended period.

Air-tight containers preserve the freshness of the yogurt by keeping all the microorganisms away from it.

If there is nothing wrong with the yogurt, you can taste it a little bit; if it is not sour or off, it’s safe to have.