The best methods, tips and tricks

Freezing fresh or preserved milk?

Preserved milk should preferably be entrusted to the freezer. Fresh milk can also be frozen, but in the freezing cold its fats separate from the protein molecules and settle ugly on the surface. Homogenized milk has a smaller percentage of fat and is therefore better suited for freezing.

Suitable containers

Various types of packaging can be used for freezing milk:

• Milk cartons
• Tetra packs
• plastic bottle

Frosty milk needs more space

Frozen milk expands and takes up more space than fresh milk. If the milk container is filled to the brim and placed in the freezer, this can have unpleasant consequences: the container will burst and the milk will no longer be usable.

This "catastrophe" can easily be avoided if some free space is left in the container. If an entire unopened package is frozen, some milk should be removed from it beforehand. One cup is enough.

Make a note of important dates

The date of freezing should be noted on the freezer container. The remaining shelf life must also be noted. How many days the milk in the fresh or You can easily calculate the best before date using the best before date.

Freeze the milk cubes

Milk residues can also be frozen in the ice cube container. After the cubes are completely frozen, they are removed from the container and kept in a freezer bag. Such milk cubes offer several advantages:

• they can be removed in good portions later
• the desired amount of milk can be better dosed
• for example for baking recipes
• Milk cubes thaw faster than a large "milk block"

Shelf life in the freezer

Milk should not be stored in the freezer for more than three months. It does not spoil even after long periods of storage, but takes on foreign smells over time. After thawing, the milk must be used within five days. Occasionally earlier if it wasn't freshly frozen.

thawing

You have two options for thawing milk:

• very slowly in the refrigerator
• may take longer than a day depending on the size of the container
• under cold water
• within a couple of hours

Never thaw milk with the aid of heat. The microwave is also not suitable for defrosting.

Shake first, then serve

Before serving the thawed milk, it should be shaken well beforehand. As a result, the attached fat layer is evenly distributed in the liquid again. The yellowish tone of the milk after freezing is normal and not an indication that the milk is bad.

Conclusion for quick readers

• Long-life milk: It is easy to freeze it before the best-before date has expired
• Fresh milk: it is less suitable for freezing; the cold causes fat to deposit ugly.
• Suitable containers: milk cartons, tetra packs and plastic bottles
• Filling: Frozen milk expands, therefore never fill the wheel full; Container can burst
• Labeling: Note the date of freezing and the remaining shelf life in days
• Milk cubes: Milk residues can be frozen in ice cube trays
• Advantages: cubes can be removed individually; The amount can be dosed better; for example for recipes
• Shelf life: use frozen milk within three months
• Longer storage: Milk can also be stored for longer than three months, but it takes on foreign odors
• Thawing: Slowly in the refrigerator or faster under cold water; do not thaw under the influence of heat
• Serving: Shake the milk before serving so that the fat layer mixes with the liquid
• Tip: Use frozen milk for cooking and baking, as it is conditionally suitable for drinking