How to get the longest shelf life from our raw milk and dairy

Keeping it fresh-from our farm to your fridge

The moment you get your farm order, the dairy needs to go straight into your refrigerator. Ideal storage temperature is 34° to 38° Keep it in the coldest part of the fridge, ideally toward the back. NEVER on the door, as the temperature fluctuates every time the door gets opened. Don’t forget to give your milk a good shake every time you pour a glass, because the cream will settle at the top.  

Expected shelf life of our raw dairy to include cow, goat and sheep

Raw milk (white and chocolate): 7-10 days

Raw cream: 7-10 days

Raw butter: frozen 6+ months:  fresh/refrigerated 10-14 days

Raw cheese: sealed,  6+ months. Opened, keep in airtight container 7-10 days

Raw cottage cheese: 10-14 days

Raw yogurt, kefir, cultured buttermilk, probiotic drink: 12+ days, made with active cultures, known as natural preservatives

Raw sour cream: 12+ days

Of course we suggest using your raw dairy within the suggested time frames,  to assure you get the full benefits of the probiotics and live enzymes. However, you can  freeze raw milk for 3 to 6 months. Be sure and thaw slowly over 2 to 3 days inside the refrigerator. Shake or blend well after thawing to recombine separated natural cream and milk solids 

The best thing about raw milk is that it doesn’t spoil, it will slowly sour over time. The bacteria in the raw milk is alive and actively doing their job and if it turns tangy. It’s perfect to use in fresh baked biscuits, soaking grains, or our popular einkorn pancake and waffle mix. Try making your own kefir. Use it as a substitute for recipes that call for buttermilk, yogurt, or sour cream.  Feed it to your chickens and dogs, or simply dilute it with water, use it on your garden veggies or add to your compost pile.

Store your dairy in glass as much as possible.

New to raw dairy and don’t know where to start? We have created some of our favorites in a cow dairy sampler listed on our website. This is a great way to make our favorites yours!! 

Raw milk…notice the cream line!!