Yogurt: expiration date, storage conditions

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Yogurt is a variety of fermented milk products. A variety of tastes, the presence of beneficial bacteria that restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and improve the intestinal microflora make this product popular. In the pursuit of brands that are full of TV screens, people rarely think about the expiration date of yogurt. What determines the life span of a fermented milk product? What is the expiration date of yogurt, indicated on the package, will reveal the secrets of its quality? The information in the article will help answer these and other questions.

Ingredients of yogurt

The basis of a sour-milk product is milk or cream, to which sourdough enriched with beneficial bacteria is added. Yogurt production technology is based on several types of microorganisms. The composition includes thermophilic streptococcus, bulgarian and acidophilus bacilli, bifidobacteria, which give the futuredrink with beneficial properties. Bacteria convert lactose into lactic acid, which gives the final product a mild flavor. After the expiration date of yogurt, the number of beneficial bacteria is reduced. Manufacturers are trying to prolong the life of microorganisms with the help of preservatives.

Varieties

When buying a fermented milk product in a store, people often analyze the expiration date of yogurt. Time intervals come across different. Some varieties of fermented milk products are stored for no more than 5 days, others can stand on a shelf in the refrigerator for a whole month. What determines the shelf life of drinking yogurt? How not to make a mistake with the choice and not fall into the tricks of manufacturers? The answer is simple: determine the type of product.

Dairy production in our country does not stand still. It is constantly evolving. Manufacturers produce new types of fermented milk drinks. Among these are natural, fruity and flavored. Each has a special composition that affects the service life.

Natural

As a raw material for the preparation of this type of fermented milk drink, natural cow's milk and sourdough are used. The production does not use additives, flavors and thickeners. The absence of these components affects the storage conditions of the drink. The shelf life of natural yogurt according to GOST does not exceed 7 days. But manufacturers usually indicate on the packaging a time interval of 14 days. There is no need to talk about the benefits of such a natural product, since after the expirationthe number of beneficial microorganisms is reduced.

Fruit

This type of yogurt, in addition to the main ingredients, includes pieces of canned fruits or berries. They give the sour-milk drink a rich taste. According to GOST, fruit and berry filling should not exceed 30% of the volume of the entire product. This type of drink, enriched with beneficial bacteria, can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, and in the freezer for 2 months.

Flavoured

Unlike the previous counterpart, this species does not contain natural fruits and berries. Their presence is imitated by manufacturers with the help of flavors. There are identical and natural flavor enhancers. The composition of the finished product includes thickeners (pectin, gelatin, starch), granulated sugar, emulsifiers and preservatives that prolong the life of beneficial bacteria. The shelf life of a fermented milk flavored drink varies from 10 days to several months. Nutritionists argue about the benefits of such yogurt for human he alth, it all depends on the individual representative.

Popularity of "Miracle" yogurt

Wimm-Bill-Dann products appeared on the Russian market in 1998. The assortment included not only yoghurts, but also other dairy products, as well as natural juices. Two Russian businessmen, Sergey Plasticin and Mikhail Dubinin, successfully picked up the change in taste preferences of their compatriots. Until the 1990s, the market focused on the Western manufacturer, but the fashion for everything European has gradually passed. Consumer demand began to fall for natural and domestic fermented milk drinks without dyes and additives. The new brand "Miracle" came in handy. The growth in popularity was facilitated by the stable high quality of fermented milk products, the range of flavors, and accessibility for customers.

"Miracle"-composition

Drinking yogurt "Miracle" is based on milk, pasteurized fruit filler, sugar, stabilizer, starter in the form of acidophilus bacilli and pure cultures of lactic acid bacteria. Reading the list of ingredients on the package, buyers often come across E-1442, which is part of the filler. This dietary supplement has the intimidating name of hydroxypropylene starch phosphate. In fact, it is a common stabilizer that is used in the production of many dairy products. Its action helps to extend the life of the fermented milk drink and guarantees the preservation of a number of useful substances.

Storage "Miracle" yogurt

The shelf life directly depends on the temperature conditions. In a hot room, the fermented milk product quickly deteriorates. The range from +4 ± 2 °С is considered optimal. Under these conditions, the drink is stored for up to 20 days.

Homemade or store-bought?

Consumers of fermented milk products argue about the benefits of homemade yogurt. The controversy is built around the composition and manufacturing technology of the product. Homemade drink preparation is based onmilk and sourdough, as well as the addition of natural fruits and berries. The absence of preservatives, dyes, stabilizers indicates the benefits of the finished product. But can you call it yogurt?

The technology of industrial production of yogurt is based on the pasteurization of milk, which contributes to the preservation of the number of whey bacteria. For these purposes, manufacturing companies use raw materials enriched with calcium, vitamins, and protein. Dairies create optimal conditions for the growth of the starter culture.

Cooked homemade drink is more like curdled milk. In the process of boiling milk, the amount of useful substances is gradually reduced, and not all creators can maintain a constant temperature of raw materials at 40 degrees. It is worth consuming the finished fermented milk product immediately after preparation. The shelf life of homemade yogurt in the refrigerator does not exceed 3 days.

Recommendations for storage of fermented milk product

Prolong the shelf life of yogurt will help a number of tips:

1. Refrigerated for natural product only.
2. Thaw and re-freeze yogurt should be avoided. This fluctuation in temperature affects the texture and taste.
3. When choosing yogurt, it is worth giving preference to glass packaging. Fermented milk product in plastic or cardboard boxes spoils faster.
4. The presence of preservatives in the composition of the drink indicates the possibility of storage at room temperature, but in the absence of nearby heat sources.
5. The expiration date of yogurt indicated on the labels is valid only if the packaging is intact. Opened product is stored for 24 hours.

Surely these tips will help you use only a quality product.