Does Eggnog Go Bad: Eggnogs are staple items of all Thanksgiving dinners and New Year parties. These scrumptious desserts are made of milk, sugar, eggs, and choco chips. Such dairy-based ingredients make eggnog a blessing for those people who have a sweet tooth.
Made a lot of eggnog at home and now wondering does eggnog go bad. Or purchased it from the nearby store and now looking to keep the leftovers fresh for a longer time? If any of these situations sound familiar to you, then give this article a quick read. We will be telling you everything about eggnog and its shelf life, expiry dates, storage technique, and fun facts.
- Does Eggnog Go Bad?
- How Long Does Eggnog Last?
- Tips To Store Eggnog Fresh For A Long Time
- What Can You Substitute for Eggs?
- How To Tell If Eggnogs Have Gone Bad?
- Fun Facts About Eggnogs
- How long is eggnog good after expiration?
- Should eggnog be chunky?
- Why is my eggnog grainy?
Does Eggnog Go Bad?
Undoubtedly, Yes! Eggnog is similar to other dairy products that perish very fast and soon expire. Therefore, you have to store them mindfully if you wish to keep using them for some time.
How Long Does Eggnog Last?
The shelf life of eggnog, be it homemade or bakery-made, depends on a plethora of factors such as the storage conditions at the supermarkets, the number of preservatives added, room temperature, and the quality of ingredients used. Generally speaking, eggnog’s shelf life is determined by the earliest expiring ingredient. Let’s see the estimated shelf life of various types of eggnogs.
| Type of Eggnog | Shelf Life at Room Temperature | Shelf Life in the Refrigerator |
|---|---|---|
| Bakery made eggnog | Up to 1 week | 1 month |
| Homemade Eggnog | 2-3 days | 15-20 days |
Tips To Store Eggnog Fresh For A Long Time
If you have prepared a lot of eggnog for the upcoming festival season, then it is inevitable to be bogged down by the concern of storing the eggnog. No worries! We got you covered. In this section, we will be telling you every single strategy which will help you store your eggnogs like a professional.
The best part about these methodologies is that the flavor profile and freshness stay intact for eggnogs. Let’s check out these stacking tips.
- You can safely place it on the kitchen counter at room temperature if you plan to consume it within 2 days.
- On the other hand, if you have prepared eggnogs in advance, then you can refrigerate them in airtight containers. This step becomes a necessity for homemade products containing several dairy ingredients.
Although freezing can considerably extend their shelf life, it can destroy the texture and consistency of the eggnogs. You may end up with solid and unbreakable lumps if you freeze it for a long. However, if you are only worried about the shelf life and feel okay dealing with hard texture, then you can surely go for freezing.
How To Tell If Eggnogs Have Gone Bad?
Similar to many dairy products, eggnogs display subtle and distinctive signs of deterioration. All you need to do is actively keep an eye on your stored eggnogs.
- If you spot any mold on the surface of the container, then you can safely presume that it has been spoiled.
- Also, any unwanted discoloration in the product followed by an “off” smell is also a clear indication of eggnog’s spoilage. The bacteria produce lactic acid that leads to changes in the texture and flavor profile of the eggnogs.
- The ones that have gone bad might taste sour or salty instead of sweet.
- Lastly, if the original packaging which had eggnogs, is leaking or has swollen up, then throw it away in your trashcan.
Generally speaking, if your common sense says that the eggnogs are spoiled, then they most probably are. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry.
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Fun Facts About Eggnogs
Now that you are confident about handling eggnogs properly, let’s talk about some interesting facts which make them the star of the festival season.
- To make them yummier, a layer of freshly made nutmeg is added on top of every eggnog. Yes! Another layer of dairy for you.
- You will have a hard time finding eggnogs in the supermarkets if a lot of time is due for Thanksgiving.
- So, it is advisable that you try preparing at home rather than purchasing processed items.
- No one has heard of fat-free eggnogs as nothing much will be left if you take out fat from them. Out of the 347 calories that a person gets from eating eggnog, 156 of them come from fats.
- It is quite difficult to thaw frozen eggnog. So, even bakeries avoid doing so.
- A little amount of alcohol is also added while preparing eggnogs. In the USA, it may be Borbon whereas, in Europe, it is usually wine.
- Since eggs form a major component of eggnogs, one is at greater risk of contracting salmonella. So, make sure that you purchase only fresh eggs for this recipe.
FAQs on Does Eggnog Expire
1. How long is eggnog good after expiration?
If stored properly, then eggnogs can easily last up to 7 days even after their best ‘use by’ dates. These dates are provided only to inform about the freshness of eggnogs. People who have no problem with a little stale sweet dish can eat the expired ones easily.
Yes, it can be chunky and still be absolutely safe to eat. Since eggnogs contain a lot of creams, some of them may separate after cooling down during pasteurization. This leads to the formation of large chunks. However, you can easily thaw them and get back their smooth consistency.
Generally, proteins tend to coagulate at high temperatures such as 60-70° F. In order to avoid this grainy texture, you should keep stirring the custard while you heat it at a high flame. This will prevent the protein molecules from clubbing together and forming grains or lumps.
Summary
Eggnogs are the delightful spirit of every Thanksgiving dinner and New Year party. So, feel free to dive into this dish while you explore other articles on our website. We hope this piece solves all your doubts about shelf life, expiration, and storage tips for eggnogs. Stay tuned for more such articles like Can Gatorade Go Bad and other beverages.