How to keep butter fresh: Expert tips for a longer shelf life
Different methods of storing butter can affect its taste, consistency, and shelf life. Learn how to store butter properly so it doesn’t lose its flavour and nutritional value.
The rise in butter prices makes proper storage even more important. Purchasing larger quantities of this product during sales requires knowledge of how to prevent butter from spoiling and avoid wasting a product that was bought at a lower price. How should butter be stored? Use these proven methods.
The most obvious way to store butter is to keep it in the refrigerator. This method ensures a longer shelf life, though it makes it slightly harder to spread as the butter becomes hard.
Butter can also be stored at room temperature, provided certain conditions are met, such as placing it in an opaque container or butter dish. This way, the butter remains soft and easy to spread, but do bear in mind that it should be consumed within a few days to maintain its taste and prevent spoilage.
How to extend butter’s shelf life? One popular solution is freezing butter. Freezing blocks of butter can extend its usability for up to nine months. This is not only a practical solution for those stocking up, but also a way to avoid unexpected shortages at home. To prevent the butter from absorbing freezer odours, wrap it tightly in plastic before freezing.
Butter can also be stored in water, a method used before refrigerators became common. This involves placing butter in a glass, sealed container filled with boiled and salted water. Salt acts as a natural preservative, keeping the butter soft and fresh for a longer time. However, it is important to remember that butter stored this way should be consumed within a few days.
Remember this when storing butter
Butter should always be stored away from light and moisture to prevent it from going rancid. When choosing a storage place for butter, ensure it is dark and the butter is sealed in a container that keeps out air.
Temperature is also important. The optimal storage condition for butter is about 20°C. On warmer days, especially in summer, keeping it in the refrigerator is advisable. Remember that even the slightest oversight in storage can lead to a decline in butter quality and the appearance of harmful bacteria.
