The Dollar Tree Shelf-Stable Dairy Product Worth Stocking Up On

When you think of pantry classics that are worth stocking up on, you may envision sugar or flour, maybe even canned evaporated milk. But the last item you may expect is standard cartons of dairy milk. What if we told you that Dollar Tree stocked a long-lasting delicious option that was also shelf stable for just $1.25 per carton? Next time you shop online or visit this store in person, you'll have to look out for whole milk by Marcel's Modern Pantry. 

For those who do a lot of baking, but don't have the fridge space to justify gallons of refrigerated diary, this shelf stable option is a great way to stay prepared while avoiding spoilage. Dollar Tree not only carries whole milk, but also 1% and 2% by the same brand. It is worth noting that Marcel's whole milk is safe to store in the pantry until opened, which is when it will need to be moved to the fridge, and can be enjoyed within five days, or up to a week. 

This product has garnered 4.7 stars online, with hundreds of positive reviews. One customer said: "I actually prefer the taste of this shelf stable milk to the refrigerated type." Considering the raving reviews about this milk, another online reviewer expressed: "Excellent product! I wish they would stock more of this in stores. Good taste, shelf stable." So if you're looking to stock up yourself, you may have to order online. Either way, this item is great on its own or saved up for later, as it can be used in many of the same ways as standard refrigerated milk. 

Despite being surprising to most Americans who are used to refrigerated milk, international communities are very familiar with this type of dairy product. India happens to be the biggest producer of milk on a global scale, for example, and shelf stable milk is common throughout the market. You'll find many shelf-stable milks across European countries as well. There's a reason for this, and it has to do with the way that this type of milk is processed. These non-refrigerated varieties are referred to as UHT or Ultra-High Temperature milk. This heat-treatment kills off harmful bacteria by bringing it to extremely high temperatures (280 degrees Fahrenheit) for a short amount of time (just a few seconds). 

Believe it or not, this process is more effective at killing bacteria than traditional pasteurization methods. This means that some of these shelf stable varieties can last anywhere from 90 days to upwards of nine months. Though, it's important to double check expiration dates as this can differ across brands. Regardless of how long your UHT treated milk lasts, it will dramatically outlive refrigerated milks, which go bad in just 10 days to two weeks. 

This process works only in tandem with extremely sterile packaging, which is referred to aseptic. These specific containers not only keep the milk preserved internally, but the opaque packaging prevents exposure to air and light, which would negatively impact its contents and cause premature spoilage. And if you're looking to get your daily calcium intake but are not the biggest fan of drinking milk by the glass, try these 5 foods that pack as much calcium as milk.