When it comes to alternative milks, despite the rise of newcomers (banana milk, anyone?), almond milk continues to be among the most popular. And with good reason: It offers several nutritional benefits, including being high in protein, vitamin E, and healthy fats that support brain health. The household staple pairs nicely with so many foods, too—overnight oats, cereal, and pumpkin spice lattes, to name a few—making it a must-have for many folks shying away from dairy. It can do so many things well that you might wonder: Does almond milk go bad? And how quickly compared to, say, dairy milk?

Good news: We reached out to Trevor Craig, a food safety expert and corporate director of technical training and consulting at Microbac Laboratories, and registered dietitian Brittany Modell, RD, for some answers. Ahead, we’re sharing tips on how to check whether your almond milk (and other dairy-free milk) has gone bad if you’re a little iffy.

Does almond milk go bad?

Yes, almond milk does go bad, and that goes for all types: shelf-stable, refrigerated, and homemade.

But how quickly almond milk goes bad depends on the type of almond milk you have as well as proper storage, Modell says. For instance, she says, even if you opt for shelf-stable almond milk, it must be refrigerated after opening, or else it will spoil—regardless of the expiration date on the carton. But more details on that ahead.

How can you tell if almond milk has gone bad?

Craig says the best way to tell if your almond milk has gone bad is to use your senses: smell it, and check its texture. (This applies to any other type of dairy-free milk as well, he adds.) “If it smells off or sour, it’s most likely time to toss the product,” Craig says. “You might also see some visual changes like separation or texture changes, but it will most likely smell off first before you’re likely to see this.” So, before you splash a generous amount of almond milk in your cereal bowl, give it a good inspection, especially if you can’t remember when you opened it.

Here are some tips to help you tell if your almond milk (or any other alt-milk) has expired:

1. It smells sour

Modell says almond milk should smell slightly nutty and sweet. If you give it a good sniff and it smells more like sweaty workout clothes you left in a bag for too long, it’s time to toss it. A rancid smell is also a sign you shouldn’t drink the milk anymore.

2. The packaging starts to swell

Once almond milk spoils, the packaging may expand or puff up, Modell says. Swollen packaging can be indicative of microbial growth due to carbon dioxide gas release from microorganisms inside the product. If you notice this occurring with the bottle of almond milk sitting in your fridge, it is probably time to part ways.

3. You see consistency changes

Almond milk that has gone bad can also become thick and clumpy. Modell says that sometimes it does separate, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s spoiled milk. Give it a good shake. If it’s still chunky after shaking, she recommends throwing it out.

How long can almond milk last?

Almond milk has differing expiration dates depending on whether it was opened. But in general, almond milk can last between five to 10 days after opening in the fridge, depending on the brand. Unopened almond milk that is shelf-stable tends to last longer—up to a few months.

Below the experts break down almond milk shelf life by type:

Store-bought, refrigerated

“Commercially made almond milk is usually ultra-pasteurized,” Modell says, which means it undergoes a heating process that kills bacteria and extends the product’s shelf life. For this type of milk, Modell recommends consuming it within seven days of opening the bottle.  Craig says ultrahigh temperature (UHT) pasteurized dairy-free milk can last for a few months unopened in the fridge. The key is that it’s unopened, though. So, no peeking!

Shelf-stable, unrefrigerated

Shelf-stable, unopened almond milk typically lasts the longest before opening—one to two months, Modell says. “It may make more sense for someone to purchase a shelf-stable option if they don’t go to the store often or if the price tag is more budget-friendly,” she adds. Shelf life will vary by brand, so be sure to check the expiration date. Once you open the carton, it’s best to consume it within seven to 10 days—and pop it in the refrigerator, ASAP.

Homemade

Modell says that homemade almond milk or a fresh bottle from a local purveyor will typically go bad sooner than its store-bought counterparts since it doesn’t contain any additives to help preserve it. Expect a lifespan of five to seven days, max.

Is it okay to drink expired almond milk?

It’s risky, but you might be able to get away with drinking expired almond milk. (We don’t recommend it).

Craig says it’s important to distinguish the difference between an expired and spoiled product. He says that expiration date is essentially an estimate of when the the food will no longer be of the best quality (think: taste, texture, smell, etc.) if stored properly. But an expired product may technically still be safe to eat. A spoiled product, meanwhile, has developed bacteria that could make you sick—and that can happen sooner than a product’s expiration date if it hasn’t been stored properly (say, your fridge temperature is too warm). “That isn’t to say milk past its expiration date might not make you feel great if the bacteria count inside is very high, but that’s different than food-borne illnesses like salmonella, listeria, E.coli, etc.,” Craig says.

There are other factors that can impact the freshness of a product. “A product not stored correctly will change that shelf life anyway. Even unopened dairy milk left at a warm temperature won’t make it to its expiration date,” Craig says.

Always check for signs of spoilage, and consume almond milk by or before its use-by date to be safe. If you’re within a few days of the expiration date, chances are it’ll still be safe to consume—provided that it passes the sniff test. But when in doubt, pour it out and get a new carton. Better to be safe than rushed to the ER with salmonella.

What’s the best way to store almond milk?

According to Craig, the colder you can keep an almond milk carton, the better. “It’s best to keep it cold. That means only taking it out for use and making sure to keep the door of your refrigerator closed so it maintains that steady temperature,” he says. He also recommends not leaving the lid off for long, to help reduce the “exposure to the environment and potential bacteria around it.”

“When possible, store almond milk in the back of your fridge, where the temperature tends to be the coldest,” Modell adds. This can help prolong its lifespan a few days.

If you have a carton of unopened, shelf-stable almond milk, “be sure to store in cool, dry, and dark areas away from sunlight and heat,” Modell says.

An RD walks us through the benefits of the many delicious alt-milk options on the market: