Dairy
How long does Khoya / Mawa last?
Medium confidence
Safety concern
How long does Khoya / Mawa last? fridge 2–3 days, freezer 1–3 months. Plus spoilage signs, sources, and an unopened-vs-opened note.
Fridge
2–3 days
Pantry
Refrigerate only
Freezer
1–3 months
Sealed / unopened: Check date (vacuum-packed commercial mawa)
Signs Khoya / Mawa has gone bad
- Sour, cheesy, or stale smell.
- Sticky or slimy surface film.
- Grey, green, or black mold spots.
Still good if
- Slight surface drying that can be trimmed, with a clean cooked-milk aroma.
Discard immediately if
- Any sour or stale odour
- Slimy or tacky surface
- Any mold growth
Why guidance varies
Khoya is concentrated milk solids that remain high in moisture and nutrients, making it a prime target for rapid microbial growth unless kept cold. In warm Indian climates, even short room-temperature spells cut its safe life sharply.
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Sources for this answer
- B ICAR-NDRI — Spoilage patterns and shelf-life of traditional Indian desiccated milk products.
- A USDA FSIS Cold Food Storage — Conservative 3–4 day window for high-moisture perishable dairy.