A sweetened dairy mixture is churned while being frozen to create ice cream, a frozen dessert. As a result of this motion, tiny ice crystals form, and tiny air bubbles are dispersed throughout the ice cream, giving it a distinctively light and fluffy texture.
Your typical ice cream is high in moisture and sugar, like most dairy products, which makes it very vulnerable to spoilage. Ice cream has the additional challenge of being frozen, giving it yet another sensitivity to be aware of when it comes to storage, on top of these standard shelf life issues that come with any dairy product.
Everybody experiences those midnight sweet cravings that send us stumbling into the kitchen in our pajamas to retrieve the hidden ice cream container from the freezer. But after so much time has passed, is it still safe to eat from old, opened tubs?
Perhaps to your surprise, ice cream does expire, and consuming old, stale ice cream can also make you ill. Therefore, when it comes to storing ice cream, proper food safety techniques must be used. How long does ice cream last, assuming you’ve followed all the instructions? Let’s find out!
How Long Does Ice Cream Last?
Can ice cream go bad or does it expire in the freezer? According to an estimation, an unopened ice cream tub can last up to two months if it is stored in the freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. In reality, if it is packed properly, it can be eaten for longer. For about three to four months, you can eat this ice cream, but after that, you can’t. When it is opened, you don’t have a month to store it. You must eat it within two to three weeks.
As you are aware, ice cream cakes unfortunately have a lifespan that is even shorter than that of ice cream. Within five to seven days, you must consume it. The expiration of the ice cream cake depends on the ingredients as well. Ice cream cakes typically last longer than standard ice cream cakes if they are made without cream cheese, eggs, or butter.
How to Tell If Ice Cream is Bad?
Many people think that freezing food will prevent bacterial growth, which does not apply to all types of foods. Food that has been frozen only slows bacterial growth; it cannot halt it entirely.
Even after being opened and properly stored in a freezer, you must have noticed that the ice cream starts to develop tiny ice crystals on the top. This is a sign that your ice cream has gone bad.
People frequently scrape out those crystals during those late-night cravings and then eat the remaining unsafe ice cream. At all costs, stay away from it. Only in situations where the crystals have not yet grown and have not penetrated the entire carton could it be considered safe.
You might not be aware that freezer burn is actually a type of dehydration that takes place at frozen temperatures, even though many people associate the term with those pale, dried spots that appear on frozen food.
Through a phenomenon known as sublimation, frozen water is able to slowly move from within food and dissipate into the surrounding air. Imagine this as evaporation, but with frozen water instead of liquid water.
As a result, the food begins to dry out. At first, this dryness only affects the surface of the food, which receives the most air exposure, but over time, it may also affect the bulk of the food. The telltale signs of freezer burn in ice cream include a dried-out or discolored appearance as well as a hard, gummy texture that is challenging to push a spoon or ice cream scoop through.
What Would Happen If You Eat Crystallized Ice Cream?
The formation of ice crystals is another sign that your ice cream is in the process of going bad. This appearance of these crystals is related to freezer burn, as when the water leaves the food it often collects on a nearby surface, but these two phenomena can also occur independently of one another. Sometimes ice crystals occur as a result of outside moisture being introduced into the container, or the moisture that escapes during freezer burn is lost to the ambient air of the freezer itself.
Ice cream that has crystallized or gone bad can make you incredibly ill. Furthermore, ice cream that has been thawed initially for eating and then refrozen to be consumed later has the risk of contracting a foodborne illness because bacterial growth has already started at this point. Food-borne illness can be rigorous sometimes as the symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, sore throat, and fever.
Aging ice cream will often grow tiny ice crystals on the underside of the lid, but they may also grow on the surface of the ice cream and even penetrate through the body of the ice cream, or on the outside of the ice cream container itself.
Important: Avoid purchasing ice cream in containers that have this kind of exterior crystallization if you see them while shopping! The presence of ice on the outside of the container is a sure sign that the ice cream has experienced temperature fluctuation, which may make it unsafe to eat or at the very least, has affected the texture.
How to Safely Store Ice Cream?
To store your ice cream for a longer period, it is best to:
- Place the ice cream tub in the freezer’s back.
- Your ice cream shouldn’t be exposed to oxygen.
- If it is thawed, do not refreeze
- Don’t let it thaw all the way outside.
Keep your ice cream and ice cream cakes near the back of the freezer, against the wall, where the temperature is colder, to prevent them from going bad. It has also been noticed that the temperature of freezers fluctuates, because of the frequent opening and shutting of the door.
Because of this, you should avoid leaving your ice cream out by the door; otherwise, you’ll have to throw it away because it will go bad quickly. Preventing your ice cream from being exposed to oxygen is another way to extend its shelf life. Placing a cling wrap in front of the lid of a conventional carton will prevent your ice cream container from needing to be refrozen. Or if you think of any other solution that stops oxygen from getting in, that will eventually lessen the chance of bacterial growth.
How Long Ice Cream Can Sit Out on the Counter?
There isn’t a recommended amount of time for keeping ice cream out, and in all honesty, you shouldn’t. When ice cream starts to melt then bacterial growth is inevitable.
Once it has been exposed to oxygen, nothing is better than finishing it. But if it’s not possible, then put it back in the deep freezer or at the back of the freezer close to the wall as early as you can, after serving. Your ice cream can go bad if it is left out for two or more two hours at a temperature of 40 degrees or above. It is no longer safe to eat, so you should throw it away right away.
What Other Details You Should Know About Ice Cream?
You must have loved ice cream all your life and still drool whenever you think of these heavenly delights. You should be aware of the tantalizing treat’s numerous enigmatic details. Let’s talk a little bit about them.
- Ice Creams Make Us Thirsty!
Amino acids, sugar, and fat used to make ice cream draw moisture from our bloodstream and make us thirsty. We always feel dehydrated after eating our favorite ice cream because of this.
- Eating Much Ice Cream Can Freeze Our Brain
Yes, that does sound odd. We have numerous sensors at the top of our mouths, which is why this occurs. These sensors come into contact with the colder environment when consuming large amounts of ice cream and communicate heat loss signals to the brain. You might consequently experience unpleasant outcomes.
- The Waffle Cones Were Created Accidentally
The US’s 1904 World’s Fair is remembered as a turning point in American cuisine. A vendor of sweets ran out of paper holders. So, he bought some waffles from another vendor at the fair and made cones out of them. And that’s how waffle ice cream came to be.
That’s all there is to it for now. The next time you purchase an ice cream tub, be sure to store it toward the back of the freezer and follow the instructions to lengthen its life so that you can continue to enjoy its delectable flavor.
Final Words
A pretty long shelf life can be found for ice cream. Unopened containers can easily last three months beyond the “best by” date, and opened containers can last six weeks when stored properly. Only two weeks are allowed for homemade ice cream to be stored. How long is your ice cream kept frozen? How should it be kept to ensure longevity?
At maximum, ice cream lasts for about 2-3 months beyond the best-by date stamped on the label. This only applies to ice cream which is store-bought and unopened. Your ice cream has only about 1-2 months left after it is opened before it needs to be thrown away due to rapid deterioration. Homemade ice cream and ice cream cake are in entirely different boats, and both of these types of ice cream have only a couple of weeks at best.
Keep an eye out for aging symptoms in your ice cream, such as ice crystallization and freezer burn, and throw it away right away if you ever open the container and discover it has turned into a gooey, icy mess. No ice cream, no matter how good it was, is worth having to put up with unpleasant flavors and textures or possibly getting sick over.
FAQs
Now that you know how long ice cream keeps in the freezer, you also know other useful information like how to identify when the ice cream has gone bad and how to store it. If you’re interested in finding out more, look over these frequently asked questions!
Can Old Ice Cream Make You Sick?
Old ice cream can make you sick, just like any other dairy product. However, the risk is minimal at this point because the texture and flavor are probably so unpleasant. Ice cream that has melted and been re-frozen poses the greatest risk.
Can You Eat Ice Cream After the Expiration Date?
Most ice cream containers come with a “best by” date rather than an expiration date. This is simply a date that indicates when the ice cream is freshest – not safest. Prior to consumption, it is best to look for signs of spoilage.
What Does Spoiled Ice Cream Taste Like?
Due to the inclusion of ice shards, spoiled ice cream will probably have a chewy texture. But sour ice cream can also be gooey and slimy. Regardless, spoiled ice cream will not taste fresh, creamy, and delicious. The flavor has changed significantly.
How Long is Ice Cream Cake Good for in the Freezer?
Ice cream cake does not last as long as its ice cream container counterparts. In actuality, ice cream cake only keeps well-stored for up to seven days in the freezer. The first few days are when ice cream cake tastes the best.
