Milk is a staple component in many recipes and a popular beverage too! But that’s not it; if you cannot buy a gallon at the store, milk powder is convenient, widely accessible, and straightforward. An average fresh milk shelf life is seven days. However, when stored properly, powdered milk has a shelf life of up to two months, even after being opened. In fact, some stores claim that if not opened, the dry milk can have a shelf life of up to twenty-five years!
No matter what variety of milk powder you buy at the grocery store, it’s critical to store it properly to preserve its freshness for as long as possible. Due to the growing demand for milk and milk products, milk processing businesses are implementing top-notch quality milk powder production machine, enhancing their offerings and packaging to serve customers better.
Here are some ways and strategies to help prolong the shelf life of your powdered milk after opening:
Maintain The Temperature
One thing that ensures powder milk’s quality is keeping it in a dry environment. Powdered milk needs to be stored properly to ensure long shelf life. Researchers have discovered that if you keep milk powder at a temperature of 50°F, it can keep the flavor of dry milk the best. So, knowing which temperature to store the milk powder is essential to prevent temperatures from rising to or beyond 70°F. The basement is one of the best places to store milk powder at the correct temperature.
Most underground cellars maintain temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the ideal place to keep your milk powder without additional ingredients. So, ensure that your HVAC system is functioning well and the room is cool enough.
Ensure the check valve is working correctly to guarantee the proper operation of your HVAC system. Check valve factories that provide high-quality check valves are put in high-rise buildings or apartments to ensure that coolant does not flush back down.
Store In Airtight Jars
Canning jars are the ideal storage options for powdered milk in small quantities. In tiny amounts, dried milk can be stored for months with the best preparation. Glass jars such as mason jars from a glass container supplier are self-sealing containers that keep out the elements. Plastic containers are an option if you don’t have any mason jars on hand, but glass containers are preferable.
The fundamental justification is that the milk powder shouldn’t be exposed to oxygen because that could deteriorate the milk. Also, it is easy to transfer the milk from the packaging to the jar. Take out a small quantity powdered milk from the bag and put it in the airtight mason jars. But remember not to fill the jar up to the top.
Stores In Airtight Pouch
The milk powder can also be kept in airtight pouches. Many brands sell metal pouches, along with plastic and paper pouches. They serve to prevent moisture from reaching the milk while also blocking light. Although these pouches can still contain oxygen and their seams frequently leak, you must ensure they are entirely sealed to guarantee the highest level of safety. You must store the milk in a cold, dark, and dry environment.
Store In Cans
Cans weighing ten pounds are available from several manufacturers who produce powdered milk for emergency preparedness. When stored in these cans, dried milk can remain usable for over five years. These cans, when manufactured, remove the oxygen so that the product can stay for a long time and ensure that your milk powder won’t be oxidized.
Store In Mylar Bags
Mylar bags have a shiny appearance. They are air- and moisture-tight when sealed. They are regarded as the ideal way for the long-term preservation of dry goods like powdered milk. You must put a desiccant in the bottom and oxygen absorbers on top of the Mylar bags before sealing them to preserve dry milk. If the dried milk is non-fatty, it can last more than 15 years if stored in a cold environment. Even some businesses set the shelf life at more than 25 years.
Conclusion
Summing up, dry milk is quite helpful to have on hand because it can be used in many ways as fresh milk and is just as versatile. However, it has the benefit of being a shelf-stable product. Because of its prolonged shelf life, it is a great option to keep on hand in your food storage cabinet for regular use and emergencies.
Additionally, by following the advice mentioned above, you may keep your powdered milk fresh for a very long period. It can be kept in an airtight jar, sealed pouch, or cool, dry place. Its storage life can be increased as long as oxygen and moisture are kept out.
