For years we stored Adams natural peanut butter at room temperature with no ill effects. A large jar usually lasts less than a month. Then one day I noticed it says refrigerate after opening on the label. I wonder if that is the reason why, or if it's really prone to spoilage.
The fridge addresses the issue of the post: oil separation; more so than spoilage.
I wish I had the discipline to keep a jar of peanut butter around long enough for it to spoil. :)
Growing up we put the peanut butter in the pantry without separation issues because my parents were either fine with or oblivious to the stabilizing additives in the mass produced peanut butter brands.
Now, when I look at the ingredients list I only want to see “peanuts”! (And maybe <1% salt)
I would guess it’s because it will just last longer in the fridge, so they’re recommending it be refrigerated. I have lots of stuff that say the same that do fine in a cool, dark pantry. Though I’m sure if I left it long enough it would spoil sooner than in the fridge.
It will spoil/go rancid. Even the 'non-natural' big brands like Jif/Skippy taste and smell 'off' if they sit out for a few weeks after being opened.
There's no winning here, because putting it in the fridge makes it hard to spread. The best approach is to take out a week's worth or so and put it in a small/airtight container. Leave that out but put the main jar in the fridge.
1. Is cold peanut butter a misery? I grew up in a cupboard pb home, and I enjoy fridge pb as much as cupboard pb. What temperature do you keep your fridge at?
2. Storing upside down is a precaution against oily messes because the oils separate on top of the peanut solids, and so is under the peanut solids when upside down. Also, I mentioned that at the fridge temperatures the oil congeals, and so remains mixed when refrigerated, avoiding any oily mess.
When in a cupboard the oil separates on top, so it can make mixing more difficult by both having the oil spill out when stirring and having the driest peanut bits stuck deep at the bottom.
Upside down places the oil underneath and the driest parts more accessibly near the removable part of the container.
I always imagined after stirring and placing it in the fridge upside down provides that “last mile” guarantee until it gets to temp in the fridge.
After the first use it goes back in the fridge right side up.
mordechai9000|1 year ago
dnfsod|1 year ago
I wish I had the discipline to keep a jar of peanut butter around long enough for it to spoil. :)
Growing up we put the peanut butter in the pantry without separation issues because my parents were either fine with or oblivious to the stabilizing additives in the mass produced peanut butter brands.
Now, when I look at the ingredients list I only want to see “peanuts”! (And maybe <1% salt)
nkrisc|1 year ago
briHass|1 year ago
There's no winning here, because putting it in the fridge makes it hard to spread. The best approach is to take out a week's worth or so and put it in a small/airtight container. Leave that out but put the main jar in the fridge.
mhb|1 year ago
1. Cold peanut butter is a misery.
2. Removing the lid after it's been upside down is an oily mess.
dnfsod|1 year ago
2. Storing upside down is a precaution against oily messes because the oils separate on top of the peanut solids, and so is under the peanut solids when upside down. Also, I mentioned that at the fridge temperatures the oil congeals, and so remains mixed when refrigerated, avoiding any oily mess.
kazinator|1 year ago
I stir it with a mixer (I have these corkscrew-like attachments for my hand mixer that are perfect). Then put it in the freezer.
It gets bounced between fridge and freezer: when it's showing a little hard, it goes into the fridge. When it softens there, back to the freezer.
majikandy|1 year ago
dnfsod|1 year ago
When in a cupboard the oil separates on top, so it can make mixing more difficult by both having the oil spill out when stirring and having the driest peanut bits stuck deep at the bottom.
Upside down places the oil underneath and the driest parts more accessibly near the removable part of the container.
I always imagined after stirring and placing it in the fridge upside down provides that “last mile” guarantee until it gets to temp in the fridge.
After the first use it goes back in the fridge right side up.