How long is it safe to store peanut butter at room temperature?
I love peanut butter. One of my go-to snacks during the day is peanut butter on an apple. I eat a lot of apples because I discovered back in college that apples helped me with heartburn, of all things. Anyway, I’m also pretty boring when it comes to my peanut butter choices. I still eat the same Smart Balance Creamy PB with Flaxseed Oil that I’ve used since college. My sister, on the other hand, only eats that Justin’s brand and tends to go for almond or sunflower butter because she says it’s healthier. Should I switch? Is it really that healthier?
Anyway, this is a very long preamble that’s supposed to be leading to some info about peanut butter storage safety, specifically when you store it at room temperature. Some people, like my sister, always store theirs in the refrigerator. Others, like me, always keep theirs on the pantry shelf. I always assumed that the more natural peanut butters – the ones that get that liquid build up on the top that you have to mix up – needed to be refrigerated but the regular old peanut butters like mine were fine in the pantry. Well, Simply Recipes is on the case! They spoke with Skippy brand manager Sam Hovick to get an expert’s opinion on how to store peanut butter, and for how long.
Where You Should Store Peanut Butter: According to Hovick, the answer to that question is entirely up to you! That’s not to say that there won’t be differences in consistency depending on whether you stick the jar in the fridge vs. the pantry.
Choose your own consistency: When kept in the fridge, your peanut butter will be firmer. This, as he points out, is ideal for those of us who like to go at it by the spoonful. Otherwise, “If stored at room temperature in the pantry,” says Hovick, “it will be more spreadable—perfect for making lunchtime peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.” Or, a PB and honey if you’re me.
All Skippys are created equal: When it comes to SKIPPY in particular, there’s no need to treat natural peanut butter any differently than no-stir. Hovick says, “They are both formulated and processed in a manner that helps to contain oil separation.”
Is it safe to store PB at room temp? For all kinds of peanut butter (natural or no-stir), storing it at room temperature is perfectly safe—for a few months, that is. Peanut butter should be moved to the fridge after two to three months if you’ve been keeping it in the pantry because the oil in it will eventually go rancid.
When is it time to throw it out? No-stir peanut butter lasts longer than “natural” options because it contains stabilizers that increase its shelf life. Either way, it’s time to toss your jar if the peanut butter smells or tastes off or rancid, and, as Hovick reminds me, check the “Best if Used By” date just to be safe!
[From Simply Recipes via Yahoo]
I did do a little bit of additional research and the National Peanut Board backs up the three-month at room temperature guideline, but also says it’s fine to move your opened peanut butter into the fridge after that time period to get another three or four months out of the jar. Barring surpassing the expiration date, the NPB also says that you can safely store unopened jars for six to nine months. If you use all-natural peanut butters, though, you should follow the “refrigerate after opening” rule.
Well, there you have it, folks. It’s pretty common sense, but nevertheless always nice to get confirmation for your “the more you know” pile. I definitely did side eye Hovick’s “They are both formulated and processed in a manner that helps to contain oil separation” comment because it sounds like they’re adding some extra chemicals in there to me. I’ve always preferred room temperature storage because I like my PB softer, but now I’m thinking I really should switch to a healthier PB or even a different type of butter spread. I’ve tried almond butter once or twice, but didn’t love it. Maybe I’ll give that sunflower butter a try.
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