Cashew cream is a delicious and nutritious dairy free alternative to cows cream. It is a super versatile ingredient to have in the kitchen, particularly if you are lactose intolerant or vegan. It can be used in a variety of dishes including soups, sauces, cheesecakes and more.
Cashew cream is made of cashews and water, that’s it. It is a great substitute for cows cream as it is creamy and rich, with a mild flavor that won’t overpower dishes. It can even be whipped to replace whipped cows cream in most recipes.
Cashew cream has the added benefit that it is high in heart healthy unsaturated fats as opposed to cows cream which is high in unhealthy saturated fats.
Cashew cream can be difficult to find in store. However, it is very easy to make at home requiring only cashews, water and a blender.
Whether you choose to make it at home or purchase it from the store, cashew cream can go bad and today we will be talking about how long cashew cream lasts, how to tell if your cashew cream has gone bad and how to properly store it.
What Is Cashew Cream?
Cashew cream is simply a blend of cashews and water. Cashew cream can be tricky to find in a grocery store and making it at home is often a more cost effective solution anyway.
Cashew cream made from home is a mix of cashews and water that are blended together to form a white cream similar to that of cows cream. It is usually blended at a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 cashews to water, it all depends on how thick a cream you desire.
Cashew cream looks similar to cows cream and offers a mild flavor that does not over power other flavors. It provides creaminess in recipes and is a perfect alternative to cream in soups, sauces and more.
Cashew cream can replace heavy cream, cream cheese and can even be made into sour cream and, if you are extra patient, cashew cheese.
Cashew cream is full of unsaturated fats that are beneficial for your heart health, your cholesterol, skin, hair and more. Cashew cream also contains protein, several vitamins and good amounts of iron, copper, magnesium and manganese.
Does Cashew Cream Go Bad?
Yes cashew cream does go bad. Cashew cream left at room temperature will not last more than a few hours, particularly in hot environments. It is similar to cows cream in that it will spoil easily if not stored properly.
Cashew cream made fresh will last about 4-6 days in the fridge. If you don’t think you will eat your cashew cream in 4-6 days you can also freeze it for up to 6 months. When you are ready to use your frozen cashew cream you can simply thaw it at room temperature.
How To Tell If Cashew Cream Is Bad
If you are wondering if your cashew cream has gone bad, the best place to start is with your intuition.
If you have a feeling your cashew cream is no longer fresh, it is usually safer to discard it than to risk your health. However, there are ways to tell if your cashew cream has gone bad and I will take you through this below.
Step 1: Inspect The Jar/Container
If you purchased cashew cream from the store, you should first inspect the jar or container for any holes, bulging or swelling. If you spot anything unusual, throw it out.
Step 2: Inspect The Cashew Cream
Open your container/jar of cashew cream and have a good look. Can you see the cream separating, a change in color or any mold growing on the surface?
If so, toss it out.
Step 3: Sniff The Cashew Cream
Open your cashew cream and have a sniff. Is your cashew cream is giving off any unusual smells that it wasn’t previously, this is a telling step.
If you small any sour or rancid smell, it means your cashew cream has gone bad and needs throwing out.
Step 4: Have A Small Taste
Have a small taste of your cashew cream.
If it is sour or just doesn’t taste as it should, it should be thrown out.
How Long Does Cashew Cream Last?
How long the cashew cream will last is going to depend on how you store the cashew cream. Cashew cream will spoil quickly if it is left in warm conditions. I will talk more about how to store cashew cream below.
If you purchase cashew cream, it will come will an expiration date and it will need to be stored in the refrigerator. Following this expiration date is important with a product like cashew cream as it can spoil faster than other products. Freshly made cashew cream will only last a few days and needs to be stored in a refrigerator.
If you don’t think you will use all of your cashew cream before the expiration date, you could freeze it.
| The Cashew Cream Is.. | It Is Stored In The.. | It Will Last.. |
| Unopened Store Bought | Refrigerator | Until Expiration Date |
| Opened Store bought | Refrigerator | 4-6 Days/Expiration Date |
| Freezer | Up To 6 Months | |
| Freshly Made | Refrigerator | 4-6 Days |
| Freezer | Up To 6 Months |
How To Store Cashew Cream
The table above refers to the expiration date of cashew cream that has been stored properly. I will run you through how to correctly store your cashew cream below.
Storing Cashew Cream In the Fridge
Storing unopened or opened store bought cashew cream in the fridge is a must. Cashew cream is not a product that can be safely stored at room temperature for more than a few hours.
The cooler the environment your cashew cream is stored, the longer it will take to spoil. It is important to keep an eye on the expiration date of your cashew cream and ensure you have used it by this date. If not, you can freeze it.
Freshly made cashew cream will also require storing in the refrigerator, and will generally last anywhere from 4-6 days until it will need tossing.
Can You Freeze Cashew Cream?
Yes, you can freeze cashew cream. Store bought or freshly made cashew cream can both be frozen to increase their shelf life. Freezing your cashew cream is a great way to use up any leftover cashew cream that would have otherwise gone bad.
Frozen cashew cream, store bought or freshly made will last up to 6 months in the freezer. Once you are ready to use your frozen cashew cream, simply thaw at room temperature and it’s ready for use.
Read our full guide to how to freeze cashew cream here.
Conclusion
I hope you found this guide helpful and are now more confident in determining if your cashew cream has gone bad, how long your cashew cream will last and how to properly store it.
Whether you choose to purchase your cashew cream or make it fresh, it can go bad. Always ensure you are storing it correctly and using clean utensils if scooping any product out to ensure you are keeping your cashew cream as germ free as possible.
Storing your cashew cream in the fridge is a must and freezing your cashew cream will make it last for months to come.
Learn what you can substitute cashew cream for here. You can also find all our guides to cashew-based products here.
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