How to Store Raw Milk (and How Long It Keeps)

Raw milk is a living, unpasteurised food, so a little care keeps it tasting its best. Here is how to store it, how long it keeps, and what to do with the cream line.

Keep it cold — really cold

Store raw milk at or below 4°C, in the coldest part of your fridge — usually the back of the bottom shelf, not the door, where the temperature swings every time it's opened. Get it into the fridge as soon as it arrives.

How long does raw milk last?

Always go by the date on the bottle. Stored properly below 4°C, raw milk is at its best for several days. Because it isn't pasteurised it has a shorter shelf life than supermarket milk — that freshness is part of the point.

One handy quirk: if raw milk does start to turn, it tends to sour rather than simply spoil, because of its natural cultures. Soured raw milk can still be used in baking, pancakes or scones.

The cream line is normal

A golden layer of cream at the top of the bottle is a feature, not a fault — it's there because the milk is unhomogenised. Simply shake the bottle gently before pouring, or skim the cream off for coffee, porridge or to make your own butter.

Can you freeze raw milk?

Yes. Raw milk freezes well for up to a month or so:

• Pour a little out first so there's room for the milk to expand as it freezes.
• Freeze it as fresh as possible, not on its use-by date.
• Thaw it slowly in the fridge, then shake well — the texture can look slightly grainy but settles.

Everyday tips

• Keep the cap on and the bottle clean to avoid picking up fridge odours.
• Don't pour unused milk back into the original bottle.
• Return your glass bottles for us to collect, rinse and reuse.

Order fresh raw milk on our weekly rounds and it'll arrive chilled and ready for the fridge.