CAN YOU FREEZE RAW DAIRY PRODUCTS?
A very common question customers ask us is, “Can I freeze raw dairy products?”
YES, YES, YES YOU CAN!
The short answer is yes you can, but there’s much more to the story. Continue reading to find out if any nutrients are destroyed during the freezing process and the best methods + lengths of time of time for storing RAW FARM Raw Dairy Products.
ARE ANY NUTRIENTS DESTROYED WHEN YOU FREEZE RAW DAIRY PRODUCTS?
As we can agree, consuming fresh raw food is best. However, that option is not always the most convenient one. Sometimes it’s easier to buy raw dairy products in bulk, freeze them, and thaw for use when necessary. Naturally, the question arises: Can raw milk be frozen without losing its nutrient content?
Raw food in its natural state is essentially perfect. It has many enzymes, nutrients, and bacteria. When it is altered in any way, whether by cooking, processing, or freezing, it is bound to be denatured in some way, shape, or form. The question is just how denatured does it become?
Both pieces of research, backed by our own personal experience, conclude that overall, freezing raw dairy products does little harm to the bacteria content, enzyme structures, and nutrients. Consuming fresh raw dairy is always preferred, but freezing for short periods of time is an acceptable secondary option when necessary.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO STORE RAW DAIRY PRODUCTS?
Keeping Raw Milk chilled is important to maintaining its freshness. It should never sit out at room temperature. Raw Milk is best stored in the refrigerator for quick use and in the freezer for prolonged use.
Other raw dairy products, like Raw Butter, can actually stay out on the counter. This is because Raw Butter is 86% butterfat and has little skim in it, so it naturally lasts longer. Please note that the longer it sits at room temperature, the faster it will sour.
HOW DO I FREEZE RAW MILK? HOW LONG DOES IT LAST IN THE FREEZER?
You can freeze Raw Milk in the plastic jug it comes in or in a glass jar. A few of our customers have shared that their frozen plastic jugs have split open, likely due to the high density and pressure. To prevent this from happening, pour 1/2 cup of milk into a separate container to either drink now or save for later and freeze the remaining raw milk in the jug. This will prevent the plastic jug from splitting open.
HOW DO I THAW RAW MILK?
To thaw raw milk, allow it to defrost naturally in the fridge. (This allows the butter fat to thaw better). It may take up to 3 days to fully defrost. There is a slight misshapen effect on butter fat due to ice crystals pushing on fat. But that’s it. Once the raw milk and cream have thawed, make sure you mix them carefully until the butter fat molecules separate and thin out, becoming creamy like the original product again. This eventually will happen; it just may take some strong hands and extra stirring!
Raw Milk will keep in the freezer for between 6-12 months, depending on whether you use a regular freezer or a deep freeze.
How long can I store raw dairy products for?
Did you know that raw rarely spoils? It just sours. It’s totally safe to consume sour. It is a natural process. The most popular sour raw food is sour cream, made with Raw Heavy Cream that is allowed to sour for 1 month after the freshness evolves.
Storing Raw Dairy Products at cold temperatures in the refrigerator is the surest way to keep them fresh. Here are the recommended storage lengths for each RAW FARM Raw Dairy Product:
Whole Raw Milk stays fresh for 7-14 days before souring.
Raw Heavy Cream stays fresh for 7-14 days before souring.
Whole Raw Kefir stays fresh for up to 60 days.
Raw Butter can stay fresh for up to 45 days. You can also store raw butter on the counter at room temperature, but it will sour quicker.
Raw Cheddar Cheese will last AWHILE! Age in your home;)
Once again, sour does NOT mean it’s gone bad! If your Raw Milk has soured on you, there are still many ways to make use of it, such as adding it into smoothies, into your morning coffee, making raw milk ice cubes, giving it to your pets, and more! Read about 11 creative ways to use up extra raw milk here!
Summary
All in all, it is perfectly safe to freeze Raw Dairy Products. While certain Vitamins, like Vitamin C, may diminish overtime, the overall nutrient content stays the same and the beneficial bacteria come back to life once thawed. There are a variety of ways to store raw dairy products to maintain freshness, though they rarely go “bad.”
WHAT’S THE RAW DIFFERENCE?
RAW FARM Raw Dairy Products are unprocessed and complete with bioavailable vitamins, minerals, enzymes, beneficial bacteria, naturally occurring CLA and omega-3 fatty acids. Our truly happy cows grass graze on luscious green pasture, all year long. Absolutely NO antibiotics, synthetic hormones, toxic pesticides, or GMO anything. Customers with lactose sensitivities have a delicious, nutritious, and natural alternative in this unaltered, wholesome product. The ease of digestibility of raw milk gives those that experience discomfort with processed dairy products, a delicious and natural option (isn’t that amazing).
