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How Long Does Cream Last?

How long does dairy cream last? Cream can last from 1-3 weeks beyond its "best by" date, depending on the type, how it is cared for and how it will be used. The shelf life of dairy cream is influenced by a variety of factors, such as the type of cream, the processing method, packaging date, its exposure to heat, and how the it is stored. Cream is a dairy product that is composed of the higher-butterfat layer skimmed from the top of milk before homogenization. In un-homogenized milk, over time, the lighter fat rises to the top. Different grades of cream are distinguished by their fat content, whether they have been heat-treated, whipped, and so on.

The most common varieties of cream are half-and-half with 10-18% milk fat, light cream with 18-30% milk fat, whipping cream with 30-36% milk fat, heavy cream with 36-48% milk fat. In the United Kingdom, the most common varieties are single cream which is equivalent to light cream in the U.S. and double cream with 48% milk fat which is equivalent to heavy whipping cream in the U.S.

So, how long does cream last? When properly stored at or below 40°F, containers of cream last for:

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Cream Expiration Date

(Unopened)	Refrigerator	Freezer
	Past Printed Date	Past Printed Date
Half and Half lasts for	7-10 Days	--
Light Cream lasts for	7-10 Days	2-3 Months
Whipping Cream lasts for	1-2 Weeks	3-4 Months
Heavy Cream lasts for	2-3 Weeks	3-4 Months
Double Cream lasts for	2-3 Weeks	3-4 Months
Canned Dream Whip lasts for	2-3 Months	--
Cool Whip lasts for	1-2 Weeks	5-6 Months
(Opened)	Refrigerator	Freezer
All liquid Creams last for	5-7 Days	--
Canned Dream Whip lasts for	2-3 Months	--
Cool Whip lasts for	7-10 Days	3-4 Months

Of course, cream lasts for a shorter period of time if it is not stored properly. Like a lot of other dairy products, it usually has a sell by date explaining when it should be sold, not consumed. Because of this distinction, you may safely use it on your strawberries after the sell by date has lapsed.

How to tell if Cream is bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

Although not a perfect test, your senses are usually the most reliable instruments to tell if your cream has gone bad. You can tell if half-and-half, light, whipping and heavy cream have gone bad if they curdle (the liquid begins to contain lumps) and begin to develop a distinct sour smell. When you pour it into your coffee and circles form on the top of the coffee, you can tell that the cream is beginning to go bad. When it actually forms clumps in the container before hitting any hot liquid, then it has already gone bad.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Cream to extend its shelf life?

Keeping cream cold is essential to extending its shelf life.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

How to use extra before your Cream goes bad?

Make Alfredo sauce

How long is Cream good for when prepared in a dish?

How long does cream last?That depends. How long does coffee last? In general, it lasts only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient it is mixed with.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Cream lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Cream.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Cream shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!