It is simple enough to crack open a jar of almond butter, spread some of it on a couple of pieces of toast, and then toss the container to the back of the cabinet and forget about it for a bit.
Or, maybe you have discovered that almond butter is on sale and, as a result, you would want to purchase many jars of it. However, you are concerned that the almond butter could go bad before you have the opportunity to consume it all.
How long does nut butter made from almonds stay fresh? The shelf life of almond butter is determined by many factors, including the product’s expiration date, whether or not it has been opened, and whether or not it has been placed in the refrigerator or the pantry. Almond butter that has not been opened may be stored for up to one year in a location that is cold and dark. Almond butter should be consumed within three to five months after it has been opened.
Continue reading to learn more about how long almond butter can be kept, as well as the best way to store it!
How long can almond butter be stored if it hasn’t been opened?
Almond butter that has not been opened is often keeps for a considerable amount of time, particularly if it is stored in a location that is cold and dark.
Always check the “best by” date on almond butter before buying it and putting it away for storage.
Before the quality of the almond butter begins to deteriorate, this date specifies when it should be utilized. However, if the jar of almond butter has not been opened, there is a possibility that it will still be safe to consume at this time.
When stored in the pantry, almond butter that has not been opened has a shelf life of about four months after the “best if used by” date; when stored in the refrigerator, it has a shelf life of approximately a year.
This indicates that almond butter that has not been opened may be kept for a very long period if it is kept in the appropriate conditions!
When using almond butter that has been put away for a long time, particularly if it has gone beyond its best-by date, be sure to check for any symptoms of spoilage to ensure that the product is still safe to use.
How Long Does Almond Butter Stay Fresh Once It Has Been Opened?
As soon as you crack open a jar of almond butter, the almond butter within is immediately exposed to air, moisture, and bacteria; as a result, the clock begins ticking on the amount of time that the nut butter should be consumed within.
Although almond butter is a perishable food, it does have a quite long shelf life, and you have quite a few months to consume it before it goes bad.
Almond butter that has been opened may be stored for about three to five months in the pantry, while opened almond butter can be stored for up to nine months in the refrigerator.
It is important to keep in mind that you should always check for a best-by date or an expiration date, and you should check the almond butter before using it, particularly if the date that is indicated has passed.
Where Would You Recommend I Put The Almond Butter In The Fridge?
Depending on how fast you anticipate consuming the almond butter, you may choose to either keep it in the pantry or in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.
If you find that you use almond butter somewhat often, then the pantry is an appropriate location for keeping it. Nevertheless, the pantry needs to be a dark, cold, and dry place to store food supplies in. Because of this, the almond butter will remain in usable condition for around three to five months.
The almond butter should be kept in the refrigerator if it is to be kept for a longer period of time. The almond butter will keep its best quality for a longer period of time and have a shelf life that is extended by a few more months if it is stored in the refrigerator, which provides a good environment.
The fact that the almond butter will harden if it is kept in the refrigerator is the one drawback to this method of storage. This makes the almond butter more difficult to spread when it comes time to consume it.
Therefore, store the almond butter in the refrigerator if you want it to have a longer shelf life but a more difficult consistency to spread, and store it in the pantry if you want it to have an easier texture to spread but a shorter shelf life.
How To Determine If Your Almond Butter Has Gone Rancid?
If almond butter is kept for an excessively long period of time, it will eventually go bad. Because of this, it is important to be aware of the telltale signs that the almond butter has gone bad so that you can throw it away before it does. Almond butter can be stored in the refrigerator or the pantry.
As the almond butter becomes rancid, the oil will be the first component to go rancid. When the oil is left out in the open, it is more likely to become contaminated with bacteria, and the higher the temperature of the surrounding environment, the more quickly the bacteria will multiply.
However, if you open the jar of almond butter and notice that there is a layer of oil on top of the almond butter, this does not necessarily indicate that the almond butter has gone bad.
As long as there are no other indications that the almond butter has gone bad, you should be able to mix it back together again even if it has separated somewhat. It is also typical for an oily film to form on the surface of the nut butter.
Here are some of the telltale signs that your almond butter has gone rancid!
Rancid Smell
When the oil in the almond butter starts to go bad, you’ll be able to tell because it will smell quite rancid. As soon as the container is opened, you should be able to smell the rancidity immediately.
If you smell something rancid, sour, or just off about the almond butter, it is best to throw it away because it is well past the point where it is safe to consume anymore.
Alteration in Surface Texture
As almond butter starts to degrade, its consistency will most likely begin to alter as well.
It’s possible that this is just a normal occurrence caused by the ingredients separating, with the oil rising to the top. This isn’t usually a cause for concern; however, if the rest of the almond butter is clumpy and grainy, this may indicate that it has gone bad.
If you find that the oil has risen to the top of the almond butter, give it a stir. However, if the almond butter is still grainy, clumpy, or does not mix together very well, it is best to discard it and start over.
Alteration in Color
If the almond butter has been left out for an excessively long period of time, there is a possibility that it will become discolored.
The color of the almond butter may become lighter, paler, or grayer; alternatively, there may be mould that grows on the surface of the almond butter; these spots may be white, green, black, or grey in color.
If the almond butter has developed any discoloration or if there are any mould spots, it should be thrown away immediately.
Taste
You do not want to have to taste rancid almond butter, but if you haven’t noticed any other signs that the almond butter has gone bad, the taste may be the first sign that it has gone bad for you. You do not want to have to taste rancid almond butter.
A rancid and sour flavor will be present in almond butter that has gone bad; it will not have a nutty, sweet, earthy, or creamy flavor at all. Throw it away as soon as you give it a taste and discover that it has gone bad.
How long is the shelf life of homemade almond butter?
You could be tempted to make your own almond butter because you would have complete control over the components that go into it as well as the texture that is produced when the almond butter is finished.
Because it does not contain any preservatives, homemade almond butter does not have the same shelf life as almond butter that is purchased from the store. This is a problem.
When you have finished making your own almond butter, the best way to preserve its flavor and texture is to put it in the refrigerator for storage. Homemade almond butter has a shelf life of up to two weeks if it is stored correctly in a container that is secure, clean, and does not allow air in.
Does Almond Butter Include Milk or Other Dairy Ingredients?
Because of its rich texture and delectable flavor, many individuals mistakenly believe that almond butter is made with dairy products.
Because almond butter does not contain any dairy, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a year without going bad.
Because of this, it is an excellent option for people who adhere to a diet that does not include dairy products and who are lactose intolerant.
However, prior to making a purchase of almond butter, you should carefully examine the product’s label to ensure that it does not contain any dairy-based additives. If it does, this could hasten the rate at which the almond butter spoils.
A Few Parting Thoughts
Whether it is stored in the refrigerator or the pantry, almond butter has a shelf life of several months at the very least. When stored in the refrigerator, almond butter has a shelf life of approximately 9 months, whereas when stored in the pantry, it has a shelf life of approximately 6 months.
Because moisture, air, and light can all encourage the growth of bacteria, almond butter should be stored in an environment that is cool, dry, and dark for the best results.
When opening a jar of almond butter that has been stored for some time in your pantry or refrigerator, make sure to check for any signs that the almond butter may have gone bad. This is especially important if the almond butter has gone beyond its best-by or expiration date.