My TJ's Tapioca Pudding turned watery, why?

[Rick]

So I bought some pre made tapioca from TJ's on Sunday and it was really good. Went to finish it off tonight and the container was all of a sudden liquid with tapioca in it. Nothing else in my fridge is off so it must be the tapioca, what gives?!

[lemons]

It's true. I discovered it with my first kid when I'd feed him out of the little jars, and thought I was imagining things. Then I went to nursing school and discovered those powerful enzymes that are left on a spoon. The process of digestion really does begin in the mouth. It's not disgusting, just a normal thing to help us make the most of our foods. I learned my lesson.

[goodhealthgourmet]

yup, salivary amylase is powerful stuff!

[Rick]

So I bought another container of tapioca, this time never eating directly out of the container, no watery tapioca this time!

[PrincessBakesALot]

I've stopped buying the larger containers of pudding because that was happening all the time and I ended up throwing so much out. It was fine when I opened it, but more than a day in the fridge and it was nasty wet soup! I buy the single serve cups now. Not very environmentally friendly but I'm not wasting it either (and it is portion controlled, which I need!)

[Erika L]

Did you eat it straight out of the container or spoon it into a dish? There are enzymes in saliva that break down proteins and carbs, and I've found that using a spoon that I've licked is enough to start pre-digesting some dairy-based things, such as yogurt and pudding.

[pepper_mil]

yes, that was my first thought.

[Rick]

Yes I ate it right from the containter the first time. Do live live alone at least lol.

[goodhealthgourmet]

a ha! i was operating under the assumption that you had dished it out. i think you may have your answer.

[small h]

That is super interesting. And kinda gross!

[goodhealthgourmet]

hmmm, tapioca is actually more resistant to syneresis than other starches, so that's unusual. the most common cause is temperature fluctuation. was is out of the refrigerator for a while the first time you ate it? and is there a chance you stuck it back into a really cold part of the fridge?

[Rick]

Was just on the middle of the middle shelf. I may have had it out for 10 or 15 minutes the first time I ate it.

[goodhealthgourmet]

the only other thing i have to wonder is whether it was frozen somewhere along the way on the TJ's end. too many changes in temperature really would be the most likely culprit.

what are the ingredients?

[Rick]

Milk, Sugar, Tapioca, Egg whites, Modified tatpioca starch, salt, vanialla with other natural flavors, annatto.

[goodhealthgourmet]

i'm stumped. - the protein in egg whites is also a stabilizing agent. must have been a problem with storage on the TJ's side, unless someone else can weigh in with another thought...?