Summer means that one has to make all the necessary modifications in the kitchen, whether it's the food that one eats or the way that one stores their food. With every passing month, the temperature is going to rise exponentially. One has to eat healthy food items that are good for the gut. One such summer necessity that instantly comes to mind that is both refreshing and good for the gut is curd.
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Curd is an indispensable part of the diet of Indian people during the summer. It is extremely healthy on its own, as it consists of a lot of good bacteria and probiotics for the stomach. Other than this, curd can be used to make lassi, buttermilk, raita, and so many other delicious dishes. However, storing curd at home during the summer can be a little tricky because it's more prone to going bad due to temperature changes. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure that the curd is stored at home and remains good for consumption for a considerable time.
Also Read: Right Way To Consume Curd
* Airtight Containers
Using airtight containers for storing food works most of the time. This is because airtight containers help prevent the exposure of the food items kept inside them to the outer air and bacteria. Most of the time, curd gets affected by the moisture present in the air. This leads to the curd developing a weird odour and it becomes extremely sour. One has to make sure that the curd is stored in an airtight container to make sure that it doesn't go bad before time.
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* Keep It In The Refrigerator
Curd has to be kept inside the refrigerator, specifically during the summer, because it generally requires a low temperature to be stored properly. One should not keep curd at room temperature for a very long time, as it can go instantly bad. Refrigerating curd helps slow down the process of bacterial growth and keeps the texture and the taste of the curd preserved. Remember that storing curd in the refrigerator for a very long time, such as a couple of weeks, is not going to keep it fresh. This only works for 4 to 5 days.
* Avoid Temperature Fluctuations
One should also try to avoid any kind of temperature fluctuations while storing curd in the refrigerator. The temperature of the refrigerator must be kept between 1°C and 4°C and nothing about that. This is the minimum to maximum temperature that is required to maintain a healthy quality of the code. Frequent or even sporadic temperature fluctuations can spoil the texture of the curd and make it unfit for consumption.
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* Use Clean Utensils
To take out curd from the container in which it is stored, one should always make sure that they're using clean utensils like spoons or ladles. Many times, people use dirty spoons to scoop out the curd from the container. These spoons have bacteria or oils that can contaminate the quality of the curd and introduce bacteria that can lead to spoilage. Also, avoid using freshly washed utensils that are still damp. One must always use utensils that are properly clean and dry for scooping out curd.
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* Consume Within A Short Time
The shelf life of curd is not very long so it is always better to consume it as soon as one can. Typically, curd should be consumed within 5 to 7 days of its preparation or purchase from the market. The curd that is purchased from the market generally has its shelf life written on the label. By properly storing the curd, one can make a potion of curd for a week. Beyond that, it is unreasonable to consume curd, as there are high chances of mould formation and bad odour. Also, the curd starts to change its flavour with time. So it is better to consume it as early as possible.
* Use Non- Reactive Containers
There are a lot of utensils, such as those made from brass or copper, that react with the lactic acid present in curd. This reaction can lead to corrosion as well as the release a lot of toxic salts that cannot be digested by the human body. So while choosing the correct container for storing curd, one must always avoid using utensils that can react with curd. One can use a steel container or a plastic container to store curd, as it doesn't react with either of the two types. Also, one must make sure that these containers are also airtight.