Yogurt Storage
Always check the date stamp on the carton when purchasing yogurt. The date is usually a sell-by date, which means the yogurt is still safe to eat several days beyond that date.Containers should be refrigerated and tightly sealed. If you buy the freshest-marked container in the grocery store, you can usually store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, but it becomes much stronger in flavor at the end of that period. It is best to plan on using it within a week of purchase.
When using partial amounts from the container, remove what you need, then immediately cover and return the container to the refrigerator.
Like sour cream, yogurt tends to separate a cloudy watery liquid near the end of its life. If it is still within its dated life, you can either pour off the liquid or stir it back in.
Purchased and homemade yogurt may be frozen up to 6 weeks in an airtight upright container, but results may vary when thawed for use. Depending on the brand or additives, it might thin down and become runny but still be useful for some applications. You will just have to experiment with brands, flavors, and fruit additives available in your area if you have the need to freeze it for preservation. Thaw in the refrigerator before eating.
Frozen yogurt dessert is a different matter and is designed to be frozen, so no worries about thawing. However, commercial frozen yogurt dessert should also be consumed within 6 weeks.
More about Yogurt and Yogurt Recipes:
• Yogurt Cooking Tips, Measures, and Substitutions• What is yogurt? FAQ
• Homemade Yogurt
• Homemade Yogurt Cheese
• Yogurt Storage
• Yogurt History
• Yogurt Recipes
Yogurt Photo © 2008 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Cookbooks
| • | Not Just Cheesecake : A Yogurt Cheese Cookbook |
| • | Stonyfield Farm Yogurt Cookbook |
| • | Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt |
| • | Eat Well The YoChee Way |
| • | More Cookbooks |
