1. Refrigerate the Milk Products
The easiest way to store dairy is in a refrigerator. Bacteria in milk begins to grow at temperatures above 45 degrees F, which is why most grocery stores keep dairy in cases that are at 40 degrees F. Bringing dairy products home from the market promptly and storing them on clean refrigerator shelves is the easiest way to avoid spoilage. The freezer works fine for ice cream, but is not recommended for milk and butter, as the defrosted product tends to have an altered flavor and consistency.
2. Do As the Europeans Do
In Europe, butter is rarely refrigerated. The French and the British believe that butter is far more palatable when left out, to be soft and ready to spread when needed. However, temperatures in England usually stay below 75 degrees F, and so it may not be advisable to follow this advice if you live in warmer areas. If you don't want to refrigerate your milk and cream, you can ask for morning milk delivery if this service is offered in your area. However, it is not advisable to leave milk out overnight without being refrigerated.
3. Immerse Dairy Containers in Cold Water
If you are camping or in an area without refrigeration, you can immerse a bottle of milk, a jar of cream or a container of butter in cool water to preserve its freshness. If possible, replace the water as often as possible to keep the dairy products cold, adding ice if it's available. Consider using powdered milk, which will not spoil if kept in an airtight container or plastic bag and can be added to water. Canned milk is another alternative, though you might find the flavor of these products different from and less palatable than regular milk.
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