Can You Freeze Cashew Milk?

The range of alternative milk products has increased dramatically over the past few years. You can now make or buy milk made from nuts, seeds, and even vegetables but one of the most popular varieties is cashew milk. How can you store cashew milk for the long term?

How to Freeze Cashew Milk

Freezing cashew milk is simple and you can freeze commercial brands or homemade versions.

There are slightly different instructions as to how you freeze cashew milk if it has already been opened, but follow the steps below and you will have perfectly frozen cashew milk. 

How to Freeze Unopened Cartons

Freezing unopened cashew milk is one of the easiest ways to freeze it as it doesn’t involve any prep at all:

1. Label
   Write the date of freezing on a label and stick onto the carton of cashew milk. 
2. Freeze
   Then simply throw the unopened containers of milk into the freezer, ideally laying them flat or standing them up straight. It really is as simple as that! 

How to Freeze Opened Cartons 

Once cashew milk has been opened, it is not advisable to freeze it in its original container. 

1. Find Suitable Plastic Jugs
   The secret to freezing milk is to transfer it to an airtight container. Save a few plastic milk jugs, in various sizes, if you plan on freezing milk. 
2. Pour Milk
   Fill your various sized plastic jugs, being sure to leave a good amount of space at the top so that the milk has room to expand as it freezes. 
3. Freeze
   Place into your freezer, making sure they are in a sturdy position and will freeze without spilling. Milk in the freezer will add an additional 3-5 months on to its shelf life. 

4 Tips for Freezing Cashew Milk

Now you know how to freeze it, we’ve got our 4 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing cashew milk to have the best results:

Check Use-By Dates
Cashew milk you want to freeze does need to be frozen before the use by date. You’ll also need to consider how long you plan on keeping it once it has been thawed, so do not freeze the milk just days before the use by date.  

Freeze Into Ice Cubes
If you want the perfect addition to smoothies, iced coffees or teas, then freezing cashew milk in ice cube trays is perfect! You will have small, individual sized portions of cashew milk and you will not be letting any go to waste. 

Avoid Glass
Do not freeze your cashew milk in glass containers or jars. It is more likely to shatter in the freezer as the milk freezes and expands, which will make a big mess of your freezer!

Store Away from Pungent Foods
When in the freezer, be sure to store milk away from pungent foods such as meat or fish as milk is known to absorb nearby flavours.

How Long Can You Freeze Cashew Milk?

Frozen cashew milk will last for up to an additional 3-5 months. Freezing cashew milk will not affect the nutrients within the milk, though the texture could be affected so careful thawing is vital. 

You Can Freeze Cashew Milk for up to 5 Months

How Do You Defrost Cashew Milk?

You should not thaw milk on the countertop as this increases the risk for bacterial growth which could spoil your cashew milk. 

The best way to thaw your cashew milk is to remove the container from the freezer and place it into the fridge. If you have a worry it may leak or start to drip, you can place a saucer or small bowl underneath to catch any excess.

Once it has thawed, shake vigorously or pass it through a blender before use – this is to recombine the ingredients as they may have separated slightly during the freezing process and is an issue you’ll have with most milk alternatives such as almond milk.

If you are in a rush, you can also place the container in a bowl of warm water which will thaw the milk quicker. Be sure to change the water as soon as the water has become cold. 

And finally, if you are making smoothies or iced coffees, there’s no need to thaw the milk at all! Simply add the frozen cubes of cashew milk directly!

Can You Refreeze Cashew Milk?

Ideally not, though it is possible. Freezing cashew milk will not affect the flavour or the nutritional value, but it will impact the texture. Freezing and refreezing could really degrade the texture to the point where it is no longer palatable. 

Does Cashew Milk Freeze Well?

Yes, cashew milk is a great product to freeze as it freezes well and adds some valuable extra months to its shelf life.

It is a very versatile alternative to milk and freezing will ensure it is kept preserved well and that you get value for your money!