How To Tell If Greek Yogurt Has Gone Bad- 5 Quick And Easy Signs To Spot

So, you are wondering how to tell if Greek yogurt has gone bad. Lucky for you, there are many ways you can tell! Usually though, it takes time and a good eye to spot differences in your Greek yogurt. However, if you are a beginner who loves eating yogurt, but isn’t sure when it spoils, keep on reading!

There are five things to consider when looking at the state and health of Greek yogurt; smell, color, texture, consistency, and the expiration date. However, it is important to also trust your instincts! If the yogurt suddenly tastes different or has an unpleasant smell, but the expiration date has not passed, toss it!

What Is Greek Yogurt?

So, what is Greek yogurt? Is Greek yogurt different then other yogurts sold in stores? Greek yogurt is similar to other yogurts since it contains a heavy amount of milk. However, it goes through an entirely different process then regular yogurt. Actually, Greek yogurt uses less whey, an ingredient in milk.

The process of getting rid of whey and other liquid ingredients takes time. Usually, factories and Greek yogurt makers have to strain the Greek yogurt milk mixture a minimum of three times before moving onto the next step. It is simply a thicker and sour cream like consistency.

Is Greek Yogurt Healthy?

We have all heard people excitedly talk about all of the positive health benefits that come with eating and using Greek yogurt daily in your life! But is this true? What are the health benefits? Well, some studies have shown that Greek yogurt can reduce weight if eaten on a regular basis.

Not only that, but Greek yogurt contains a lot of healthy and helpful probiotics. These are digestive bacteria that aid in your digestive system. Without them, we would struggle to digest food.

How Long Does Yogurt Last?

Now, onto the question that we all have, how long does yogurt last? This is a hard question to answer, as it depends on many factors. For example, yogurt that uses a lot of ingredients and flavors with sugar or chunks of fruit, have a shorter shelf life and does not last as long.

The general rule of thumb, though, is that Greek yogurt lasts up to three weeks after the expiration date. The thing about expiration dates is that they are actually ‘sell-by’ dates, not approximate lengths of when the food will expire or spoil.

How To Tell If Greek Yogurt Has Gone Bad

Now that you know basic information about Greek yogurt, we can discuss the many ways to tell if Greek yogurt is bad or spoiled. Listed below are five common criteria to look at when determining if Greek yogurt is good to eat or not.

Smell

The five senses are important when looking for expired food. First, if the smell of the Greek yogurt is different, this is a sign that it has gone bad. Of course, since Greek yogurt is just fermented milk with buttercream and other fats, this means that it can develop a slightly sour smell.

When the smell though is overwhelming, I do not recommend eating the Greek yogurt. Spoiled food, especially food that uses a lot of milk and dairy, can cause severe digestive pain as well as other significant symptoms.

Color

The color test is another way to determine how to tell if Greek yogurt has gone bad. Most Greek yogurts are neutral and do not have color. It is common to buy and eat Greek yogurt when it is a white or cream color naturally. However, if the color is a grey or blue, this means that it is going bad.

Sometimes, the slight color change is also mold or bacteria developing! Eating mold can cause severe reactions and sickness.

Texture

I like the texture of Greek yogurt a lot because it is unique. Since it is unique, though, we can tell when there is a difference. Unlike regular yogurts, Greek yogurt is a lot thicker! If this suddenly changes and your Greek yogurt is slimy or like liquid, this can be a sign that it is starting to spoil.

When milk curdles, or Greek yogurt, it is a sign that it is past its prime. Liquid at the top, especially excessive amounts of liquid is also not a good sign since Greek yogurt only has trace/small amounts of whey.

Consistency

The consistency should also stay the same. If you are digging through your Greek yogurt and only some parts have a funky smell or chunky texture, don’t assume that it is okay! Some areas of Greek yogurt spoils faster than others. You could be eating mold without knowing it!

Expiration Date

Expiration dates are confusing, especially when looking into how to tell if Greek yogurt has gone bad. Although the word ‘expired’ is in the phrase, this does not mean that the food has spoiled. Instead, this gives a date to grocery stores and retailers as the last sell by date. After that, it must either be trashed or go to donation centers.

When it comes to expiration dates, it is good to be cautious, but don’t panic either! Instead, as long as you store the yogurt correctly inside the refrigerator and keep it closed, it can last up to three weeks! Always look at the five criteria though before assuming that the Greek yogurt is okay.

Conclusion

Did you learn something new about how to tell if Greek yogurt has gone bad? This delicious type of yogurt is used and eaten by many people on diets. The flavor is mild and surprisingly, so is the calorie count! If you want to make your Greek yogurt last, keep it covered, refrigerated, and away from too much air and moisture.

Let us know down below what you think about how to tell if Greek yogurt has gone bad. If you have any suggestions or tips and tricks that we did not discuss, comment on them down below! Do you know anyone else interested in learning how to tell if Greek yogurt has gone bad? Share this blog article with them to spread the information!

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