How to store and consume dairy products
Dairy products primarily milk, butter, cheese, yogurt, paneer and cream are considered to be a staple in every household kitchen. They participate in multiple meals throughout the day and are one of the most versatile ingredients in terms of its consumption. Let us find out the most ideal way of storing these products for improving their shelf life in order to consume them!
The ideal temperature to store milk in the fridge would be 37 degrees Fahrenheit, which usually means the back of the shelf or on a lower shelf. One must avoid storing milk in the door shelves because temperature fluctuations caused by opening and shutting the door frequently will make the milk spoil faster. It is recommended to boil packet milk and store it in the refrigerator for safe consumption. Tetra packs (pasteurized milk) can be stored directly and do not need additional boiling post pasteurization. They can be directly consumed.
Most of us tend to refrigerate butter, but it is one of those dairy products which has a comparatively longer shelf life even when it is not stored in the fridge. Butter placed on the counter well covered will be just fine and last up to a month. It retains its spreadable quality and can be easily consumed with breads and toasts. The only thing to be particularly sure about is, if your kitchen is too hot, choose the fridge as a hot temperature can hasten spoilage. Salted butter lasts longer. In the cooler months butter can be kept on the counter top and in the summer months in the fridge.
Cheeses which have a firmer texture tend to have a lower moisture content. For long term storage it is advised to wrap them in a parchment paper or wax paper followed by a layer of plastic wrap or foil. You must store them in a cold spot at the back of your fridge. You can also freeze cheese as long as they are well wrapped in order to prevent freezer burn.
Yogurt is supposed to be kept in the fridge for sure. Its best to consume it within 5 to 7 days once opened. If you have too much yogurt you can definitely freeze it. You can freeze yogurt in a freezer bag or the ice cube tray as well in order to consume it along with granola.
Once you have opened the paneer it will stay good and safe in the fridge for the next 7-10 days. Do not leave it on the counter top. In order to consume it with its original texture it is recommended not to freeze it as it would lose its texture once you defrost it.
Similar to milk, cream also lasts longer in a cool spot in the fridge. Don not place it on the door section. Cream can also be frozen for long term consumption. In order to use frozen cream, it is advised to shake it up or blending it once thawed in order to allow the milk fat and the liquid to regenerate. Once thawed, heavy cream will whip up just as well as the fresh version and can be safely consumed.
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