All You Need To Know About Soy Milk

There comes a time in our lives when we decide to change our diet, either due to health issues or personal beliefs. If you have made the decision to go vegan or you can’t tolerate dairy products, you might be wondering whether soy milk is an option for you.

Well, you have come to the right place. I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about soy milk, including whether it turns sour or not.

Let’s first unravel the mystery how you make soy milk.

How to make soy milk?

I bet that you’ve never spent much time wondering how soy milk is made. I’m going to surprise it by telling you that it’s a very simple process, and you can do it easily at home.

Here’s a video you can watch if you don’t believe me.

Is soy milk vegan?

As you can see from the above-described method, soy milk comes from soybeans, not from living, breathing animals. Manufacturers sometimes add flavors and thickeners to make the milk more appealing to your taste and to give it a cow’s milk texture, but that’s all.

All this means that if you are a vegan, you can drink soy milk if you don’t have any allergies to soy. Moreover, soy milk has low-fat content, and it’s full of nutrients and vitamins, which makes it a nice alternative to cow’s milk.

Is soy lecithin vegan?

You might have heard about something called soy lecithin, and you’re probably wondering what it is and whether it’s a suitable choice for your vegan diet.

Well, lecithins are oily substances. Some are found in plants (suitable for vegans), others in animal products like egg yolks.

Soy lecithin gets extracted from soybeans either mechanically or chemically. People often use it as a supplement because it’s high in choline. And choline is an important nutrient for your heart and your brain.

Also, lecithin is a great emulsifier, which means that it allows water and oil to mix. That’s why it’s a common additive in foods. You can also find soy lecithin in many products ranging from baked goods to cough medicine and even tea.

However, check carefully the nutrition information on the product you want to buy. If it lists soy lecithin as an ingredient, it’s vegan. If it lists lecithin, then it’s probably a byproduct of an animal, and you should avoid it if you’re strictly vegan.

Does soy milk have lactose?

Your body needs to produce a particular enzyme called lactase to break down lactose. Otherwise, the lactose doesn’t get digested properly, and you get a bloated stomach, gas or diarrhea.

If you happen to be lactose intolerant, it’s natural to wonder whether soy milk will cause such digestive issues for you. But you don’t have to worry.

Lactose is present only in dairy products such as milk, cream or cheese. Since soy milk is not a dairy product, it doesn’t have any lactose in it. Consequently, it won’t have any ill effects on your stomach. So you can drink as much soy milk as you want.

Can soy milk go bad?

If you suddenly discover a strange smell coming from your fridge, some of you might wonder if soy milk spoils as cow’s milk does. Well, the answer is pretty obvious, isn’t it? If it’s milk – it will go bad sooner or later.

The good news is that soy milk will last a little longer than its dairy cousin. This means that you’ll have more time at your disposal to use it before you have to discard it.

How long does soy milk last?

How long an unopened package of soy milk will last depends on whether it’s sold in a shelf-stable package or it’s refrigerated. Shelf-stable soy milk will be good for up to a year, while refrigerated milk should be used before the expiration date or one –two days after it.

If you have already opened the package, the soy milk will be drinkable for about one - two weeks, if you have stored it properly. In the cases, when soy milk is not well-stored it will be good for about a couple of days, at most.

Also, if you tend to drink the milk directly from the carton, this might speed the spoilage process, because bacteria from your mouth will get into the milk. Use a cup. This will save your taste buds if the milk has gone bad.

So what are the signs of bad soy milk? Well, strong, sour, unappealing smell is always a good indicator. But, it’s a good idea to pour a glass of soy milk and examine it careful. If the milk has a lumpy, thick texture, it’s probably time to throw it away.

Also, pay attention to the package – a bloated or distorted box means that the milk inside is sour, and you should discard it hastily.

Can you freeze soy milk?

It’s naturally to wonder what to do with the remaining soy milk. Can you freeze it to keep it fresh a little longer? The answer is yes, you can freeze soy milk, but there are some things that you have to consider first.

First, some manufacturers don’t recommend it because the milk will lose some of its texture and flavors. So freezing should be a last option and you shouldn’t be surprised if it has a different taste after you thaw it.

Second, remember that soy milk consists of water and water expands when you freeze it. So, you’ll need a big container, or it will spill in the fridge. Also, make sure that the container is airtight to prevent the milk from absorbing unpleasant odors from the freezer.

Finally, it’s not a good idea to keep the soy milk in the fridge for too long, especially after the expiration date because it might spoil after you thaw it.

As you can see, soy milk is an excellent choice for vegans and lactose-intolerant people because it’s lactose-free, full of nutrients and easy to prepare at home. Just don’t forget that it won’t last more than one – two weeks before it goes bad.

If you have any questions regarding soy milk, don’t be afraid to comment. We would love to hear from you.

​