Q: My buttermilk has passed the date on the carton. Is it still OK to use for baking?
A: Actually, the date on the carton isn't always a good way to judge buttermilk. Debbie Moose, author of the book "Buttermilk" in the Savor the South series, says that buttermilk usually does keep longer than regular milk.
“Because buttermilk is cultured, similar to yogurt, it does keep longer in the refrigerator,” she says. “Buttermilk is actually more like yogurt than milk, so think of it that way as far as keeping it.”
Of course, just sniffing it may not tell you much. Buttermilk should smell and taste a little tangy — that’s part of its charm. When I’m checking cream or buttermilk before I use them, I pour a little into a cup. If it’s lumpy or looks curdled, it’s probably time to throw it out.
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