Coconut Ice Cream

Unopened coconut ice cream can last up to 2-3 months past the 'use by' date printed on the container if stored properly in a freezer. Once you've opened the coconut ice cream, it's best to consume it within 2 weeks. Beyond this, it may start developing ice crystals or lose its creamy texture due to repeated freezing and thawing. If frozen at a temperature of 0°F or colder, it can technically stay safe indefinitely, but its taste and texture may be altered beyond those 3 months.

Determining if coconut ice cream has gone bad is not too hard, even if you aren't a kitchen whizz. Some signs to look out for include: an off-smell, a change in color, a hard or icy texture, and the growth of ice crystals. A small amount of surface frost is normal, but large, chunky ice crystals can be a result of temperature fluctuations and may mean your ice cream has gone bad.

• Always store your coconut ice cream in the coldest part of your freezer, not in the door, as that's the warmest area. • Try to consume your ice cream within 2 weeks of opening for the best taste and texture. • Placing a piece of plastic wrap or wax paper on top of the ice cream before you put the lid on can help to prevent ice crystals from forming. • Always ensure the lid is tightly secured when storing the ice cream back into the freezer. • If you've served your ice cream and have leftovers, try not to let it melt too much before putting it back in the freezer. Repeated thawing and freezing affects the texture.