Your complete guide to coconut yogurt - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
Storage times and freshness tips for coconut yogurt in different conditions.
Safety first: This guide provides general information. When in doubt, throw it out! Trust your senses and err on the side of caution. If something smells, looks, or tastes off, don't consume it.
Strongly sour, rancid, yeasty, or 'off' smell (beyond the normal mild tang of yogurt), visible mold growth (fuzzy, discolored spots on the surface or sides), significant discoloration (e.g., pink, green, or black spots), excessively watery separation that doesn't easily stir back in, slimy or unusually lumpy texture.
Smell Test: Open the container and take a deep sniff. It should smell pleasantly tart or mildly coconutty. Any acrid, sour, yeasty, or foul odor indicates spoilage.
Visual Inspection: Look for mold on the surface or sides. Check for any unusual colors or excessive liquid separation.
Texture Check: Use a clean spoon to check the texture. It should be smooth or slightly thick. If it's slimy, gritty, or excessively lumpy, it's likely spoiled. Avoid tasting if any of the above signs are present.
Always use a clean spoon to scoop out yogurt to prevent introducing bacteria. Reseal the container tightly after each use. Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Discard immediately if any signs of mold or a strong off-odor are detected.
Significant freezer burn (large ice crystals, dry or discolored patches), strong off-flavors or sourness after thawing (indicating it may have been starting to spoil before freezing or was stored too long), extreme texture degradation (becomes very watery or grainy even after stirring).
Visual Check (frozen): Look for signs of freezer burn or damage to the container.
Visual/Texture Check (thawed): Thaw completely in the refrigerator. Inspect for mold or unusual colors. Stir well. If the texture is excessively watery, grainy, or separated beyond what stirring can fix, it may be past its prime.
Smell/Taste Check (thawed): After thawing and stirring, smell it for any off-odors. If it smells fine, you can cautiously taste a small amount for any bitter, sour, or metallic off-flavors.
Freezing yogurt can alter its texture, making it less ideal for eating plain. It's best used in smoothies, baked goods, or frozen desserts after thawing. Freeze in small, individual portions for easier thawing and use. Leave some headspace in the container as liquids expand when frozen. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and stir well before use.
Bloating or swelling of the container (due to gas production from microbial growth), visible mold (fuzzy spots of any color) on or through the packaging, distinct foul or overly sour smell detectable even through the sealed container.
Always check the 'best by' date first. Visually inspect the container for any signs of swelling, bulging, or damage. Look for mold growth visible from the outside. If the container seems compromised or swollen, do not open it.
Store in the coldest part of your refrigerator. While it may last a little past the 'best by' date, it's safest to consume by the printed date for optimal quality and safety.