Buttermilk shelf life - how do you know?

[Clarissa]

I bought some buttermilk to use in baking. It's unopened, the Sell By date is February 28th. I opened it to see if we could use it today, but I have no idea how to tell if it's still good. Buttermilk is naturally sour, so smelling and tasting offer no information.

Any advice from buttermilk lovers? Or even buttermilk tolerators? TIA

[Clarissa]

Thanks for your help. It turned out fine, as you said it would.

[Val]

My experience with buttermilk says yours will be just fine to use...it really lasts a long time. Some on this board suggest freezing whatever you don't use, a good idea for any leftover you might have after doing your baking. As far as when you KNOW it's bad, I would say if it's clumpy, throw it out. I think the next time I buy it, I will taste it so that I know what it tastes like fresh. Then, again, you and I could always try powdered buttermilk which would take the guesswork out.

[NYCkaren]

I agree, it lasts a long time. I'm sure it's fine now with a 2-28 sell-by date. My experience is that when it truly goes bad it smells not just sour but nasty. And it starts to separate.

[Uncle Bob]

Agree with bad smell and seperation. If it is really "off" you will know it.
Use it this time...and pitch it is what I would do.

Have Fun!