Although signs like alterations in scent, flavor, and consistency indicate that your carton of almond milk has expired, there’s also a firm timeline for when you should toss it.

As per the FoodKeeper App, a food safety resource developed by the USDA, if refrigerated after opening, a carton of almond milk will remain safe to consume for seven to ten days.

Almond milk is either sold in a shelf-stable carton that doesn’t require refrigeration before opening and lasts longer or a carton that’s already refrigerated when you buy it.

Once opened, both types stay fresh for the same amount of time, though the exact timing comes down to your senses. Discard the milk if it smells and tastes bad or becomes clumpy.

Homemade almond milk, on the other hand, often spoils faster as it doesn’t go through the pasteurization process, lasting for only three to seven days in the fridge.