Buttermilk expired?

[kmuzz]

I have been making my own butter for about 6 months now and sometimes forget when I have some yummy buttermilk waiting to be used in the fridge. Does anyone know what signs I should look for when it has gone off? It does smell sour but my experience is that bought buttermilk smells that way. I have used it up to about a week later with no bad effects but just wondering if there's something I should look out for?

Thanks!

[judydawn]

Hi kmuzz, welcome to the forum with your first posting.

I guess the smell is the secret to knowing when it is off, I freeze mine immediately if I haven't a use for it straightaway - it takes the guesswork out of it then.

[gertbysea]

If it smells slightly sour then that is good. If it tastes slightly sour then that is also good. If it is clumping,bubbling and covered with mould that is not good.  Buttermilk lasts a good long time . I have used mine in mashed potatoes a month later but it is best to freeze it in 200 mls or so amounts . In any case so long as it tastes good in what you cook it does not matter. I doubt it will kill you. Everyone is into fermenting these days anyway.

Gert

[cookie1]

Like Judy I freeze mine immediately. I have to make sure I label it correctly or I confuse it with frozen egg white. 

[kmuzz]

Thanks very much for the replies, especially Gert. I have used it a few weeks after making a few times as it didn't seem bad but just thought I'd see if there's any danger! Now I can use it with a bit more confidence.

[achookwoman]

Kmuzz, bought Buttermilk is culture.  The buttermilk from making butter in the TMX is not cultured.  If in doubt chuck it.  Freeze it in future. 

[gertbysea]

Buttermilk  is like yoghurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, cream cheese and other cultured  products and can be eaten well past their use by date.. Buttermilk also can be used in marinades and curry and anywhere you would use sour cream. It is good in scones , breads and pancakes . My grandfather drank buttermilk ever day . Sadly he died in his 60's but I don't think the buttermilk killed him.

Gert