Almond butter is one of the most delicious treats out there. It is also a healthier alternative since it contains less oil as compared to other nuts.
Americans are no stranger to the nut butter trend. While nut butter like peanut butter has been a staple food for most Americans, almond butter is relatively newer.
However, for those of you who have peanut-only allergies, almond butter can be a great alternative. The flavor is almost similar to peanut butter. But it is only slightly dense and nuttier.
If you are a first time almond butter buyer, you may wonder if its storage or shelf life is similar to other nutty butter.
Or, maybe you already tried some almond butter last month and kept it in your pantry only to find it today.
Whatever your reasons are, we are here to help you and give you the right information you need.
In this article, we’ll take you through all about the storage or almond butter, how long does almond butter last, and how to make out if your almond butter has turned bad.
Without further ado, let’s jump straight into the article.
How Long Does Almond Butter Last? Does Almond Butter Go Bad?
We cannot determine the exact period as to how long almond butter will last. That’s quite an impossible task for anyone.
The main reason why we cannot come to an accurate estimation is that all almond butter is not the same.
We need to consider certain aspects like the ingredients used in manufacturing the butter, if it is organic if it contains preservatives, etc.
Thus, the shelf life of almond butter will vary. Remember, almond butter with no preservatives is healthier, yet they are more prone to becoming rancid. Thus, it is best to keep them in the refrigerator.
Also, opened almond butter and unopened almond butter will have different shelf lives.
Generally, unopened almond butter has a shelf life of about six months past its “best before date.” And if you refrigerate it, it can last you for up to a year.
On the other hand, for opened or used almond butter, it has a shelf life for about three months past its “best before date” and a maximum of up to five months.
If you store used almond butter in a fridge, you can enjoy the treat for up to nine months.
Store-bought almond butter usually contains preservatives. You might want to check out the manufacturer label to find out.
For store-bought almond butter, the above mentioned general estimation will work out just fine.
However, most homemade almond butter does not contain any preservatives. Thus, if exposed to warm temperatures for long, it’ll quickly become bad.
So, it is best to store them in the refrigerator. If at all you don’t want to refrigerate it, you can store a reasonable amount in a jar and keep it in a cool and dark place.
How to Tell if Almond Butter is Bad? Almond Butter Shelf Life!
As said earlier, almond butter contains less oil as compared to other nut butter. But it does have some oil content and thus is prone to rancidification.
The oil in almond butter is sensitive to environmental factors like air, temperature, moisture, etc. Thus, when you don’t consume it within a reasonable time period, it turns bad.
If you store your almond butter for quite some time, you may even notice a layer of oil sitting on top.
However, note that this isn’t a sign of rancid almond butter. Oil tends to separate from the butter when kept unused for long. And this is nothing to worry about.
However, there are other ways to find out if almond butter has gone bad. Let us see how. The first thing you can do to check if your almond is rancid is by sniffing it.
Like any rancid food, almond butter will give a sour, foul odor if it has turned bad. Or, it may even smell like chemical oil instead of its usual nutty scent.
If you are still not sure about how it smells, you can give it a quick taste. It is a clear sign that your almond butter is rancid if it doesn’t have that sweet and nutty flavor.
Other than smell and taste, other ways to identify bad almond butter is the appearance of molds such as brown or black spots on its surface.
This is another obvious sign that it’s time to bid goodbye to your almond butter.
Conclusion
If you are a fan of almond, there is no reason that you wouldn’t love almond butter.
You can easily find this popular treat at your nearest grocery store. If not, you can make it easier in the comfort of your home.
You can use this treat on sandwiches to enhance the taste, or you can go all out and try several almond butter recipes.
You can use this versatile treat to bake cakes, cookies, doughnuts, oats, or cupcakes; you name it.
But once you are done using your almond butter, make sure to store it in a cool place, completely away from the sun and heat. And you’re good to go!
How Long Does Almond Butter Last? Does Almond Butter Go Bad?
Ingredients
- Almond butter
- Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
- Label your container with the content and date and keep track of how much you’re using!
- Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
- If frozen, thaw in the fridge before use. Always check for signs of spoilage before using.
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