Greek yogurt is a dairy product gaining interest from many people worldwide, and rightly so, because it is healthy, tasty, and even sustainable. But as we all know, dairy products don’t last too long on the shelf, and Greek yogurt is one of them. But how do you know if Greek yogurt is spoiled? How long can you store it for? Read on to know!
1. What is Greek Yogurt?
The makers ferment the milk using a particular bacteria to make Greek yogurt. People typically cannot make Greek yogurt by themselves, as it relies on streptococcus bacteria. It is high in protein, which helps with fullness. A typical 6-ounce portion has 15 to 20 grams, while lean meat has 2 to 3 ounces. This is especially appealing to vegetarians who struggle to get nutritious food. On the other hand, the same portion of regular yogurt provides only 9 grams, which means you will feel hungry sooner.
2. Difference Between Greek Yogurt and Curd
It was not long ago when Greek yogurt came into existence, so many people confuse Greek yogurt with curd. Even though both involve fermenting milk, they are different. The texture is very different for both curd and Greek yogurt. The Greek yogurt is very smooth in texture, and the curd is lumpy, so we must smooth out the curd to use it.
Curd and Greek yogurt are both made using bacteria. Streptococcus bacteria make Greek yogurt, and curd is made using lactobacillus. There are things we need to use hung curd, but it is time-consuming, so we can use Greek yogurt here. People make Greek yogurt to replace hung curd because it saves time and effort.
3. A Few Ways to Know if Greek Yogurt is Bad
Many of you face the problem of detecting if the Greek yogurt has gone wrong, and it is a little tricky to tell that quickly. We can tell quickly if plain Greek yogurt has spoiled, but it is tough to tell when we talk about flavored Greek yogurt.
The flavored Greek yogurt has different colors, which depends on the flavors used in it. In this section, we will tell you all the possible ways to detect when Greek yogurt has gone wrong.
3.1. Visible Mold
This is the easiest way to tell when Greek yogurt is spoiled because it is visible. It is easier to detect mold in plain Greek yogurt than in flavored yogurt because of the added colors.
If you keep your Greek yogurt at room temperature, mold may grow. The expiration date also plays a very important role in the production of dairy products. Don’t consume Greek yogurt, which has visible mold, because it can make you ill with foodborne illnesses.
3.2. Texture
Greek yogurt has a very smooth and even texture, but if you store it in your fridge for a long time after opening it, there is a high possibility that its texture will change. If you observe that the texture of your Greek yogurt is lumpy and uneven, it has already gone bad.
3.3. Smell
Greek yogurt already has a sour smell because bacteria help make it, but it is not difficult to differentiate the smell. It can be an effective way to examine your Greek yogurt because it works the same on both plain and flavored Greek yogurt. If you smell Greek yogurt and it has an unusual smell that is different than the natural sour smell, then it is safe to say that Greek yogurt is now spoiled.
3.4. Taste Test
If you are not able to detect by using smell or texture whether the Greek yogurt is spoiled or not, then try to taste it. If you eat Greek yogurt often, then you will be familiar with its taste. Try to eat a very small quantity of yogurt to taste if you are unsure if it is still spoiled.
If it is too sour, it means it has already gone wrong, and you should throw it away. It can be tricky to use with flavored Greek yogurt, but you can still try it, and if it is too sour, it is terrible.
4. The Correct Way to Store Greek Yogurt
If you have bought a big tube of Greek yogurt, you must store it carefully. If the packet is open, it can stay fresh for about two or more weeks in the freezer. Now, if you have a big tube, then every time you take some amount of yogurt out of the tube, use a clean spoon. Using a dirty spoon will spoil the whole packet even if you keep it in the fridge. You can store the unopened box of Greek yogurt in your fridge for up to two weeks.
Keep it inside the freezer to prevent it from getting bad. Greek yogurt is sold by the date of use, and everyone should check it before buying it to prevent buying a product close to its expiration date. Avoid storing your dairy products like Greek yogurt in the fridge door because they can get spoiled there. If the packet is open, keep it in an airtight container to avoid contact with air.
5. Possible Risks of Eating Spoiled Greek Yogurt
If you are using a packet box, check the expiration date first, and if you are using an opened box of Greek yogurt, taste or smell it before eating it. Even after being careful of everything you still eat, there are some possible risks of eating spoiled Greek yogurt. It can cause food poisoning, so you would need medical attention instantly before it worsens. It is always better to be extra careful about your food to avoid catching a foodborne illness and protect your health.
Last Musing
Greek yogurt and curd are both made by fermenting the milk with the use of bacteria. It is safe to say that if you find it challenging to go through all the struggles to prepare hung curd, then you can opt for Greek yogurt. As it goes, you should always be wary of what you eat, so make sure to check if the Greek yogurt is spoiled or not by the ways mentioned above. Stay safe and healthy!
Last Updated on by Arnab
