Does Almond Butter Need To Be Refrigerated? [Before And After Opening]

Almond butter is highly nutritious, tasty, and ideal for losing some extra pounds. However, all it takes is one wrong storage technique to replace that nutty aroma with a foul smell. If you want to enjoy the spirit of healthy snacking, here is what we found on whether to store almond butter in a refrigerator or not.

Refrigerating almond butter comes at your choice, before opening it or after. Based on personal taste, the type of butter (natural or non-natural), and room temperature, the user decides whether or not to do so. The only rule is to keep the butter away from heat, sealed when not in use, and stored in a cold place.

Now you know that the decision is yours to take, but how to make the right one? To understand what factors impact the butter and to what extent, keep reading to find out more.

Do You Refrigerate Almond Butter?

Your almond butter jar may read “refrigerate after opening” or “store in a cool place.” Both of which means yes. Almond butter should be refrigerated, preferably after opening it. However, with accurate considerations, you can very well skip doing so.

What Happens If You Don't Refrigerate Almond Butter After Opening It?

Depending upon what type of almond butter you have, there are chances it will turn rancid without a refrigerator. The healthy oils within the butter tend to oxidize in the presence of heat or light. To prevent this, understand the risks we talk about further in the article and carefully accommodate the needs of almond butter.

When Is Refrigeration Needed?

If you store almond butter in a fridge or a shelf, it is vulnerable. There are several possible factors you should consider before popping it in or out of your fridge. The following is a guide to help you out.

Weather

The climate around you is going to be a crucial factor in the decision. Consider a blazing summer day with an average of 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Storing perishable foods exposed to this type of heat, such as almond butter, will be a welcome sign for the bacteria.

Time

Perishable foods, when consumed within days/weeks of use, are safe at room temperature. More specifically, room temperature refers to a range between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. So, if a spoonful of almond butter is your post-gym meal or maybe even everyday breakfast, you are good to go without a refrigerator.

Type

Click here to see this almond butter on Amazon.

If your almond butter of choice is a “non-natural” butter, chances are it includes stabilizers. This way, it will sustain quality outside the refrigerator.

Click here to see this natural almond butter on Amazon.

If, however, you are more inclined towards “natural” butter, you should refrigerate it. These organic jars of almond butter do not include any added preservatives. The unsaturated oil layer on it is likely to go rancid sooner, spoiling the entire product.

Preferences

Possibly, you just do not like a cold, hardened snack, but your texture of choice is smooth.

• Allow it to rest on the counter 10 minutes before use.
• The rancidification of oil is not an hourly process. It is going to take days. You can always store the butter in the pantry, eat spoonfuls out of it, and finish it even before it is spoiled.
• Rancid oil does smell and taste unpleasant, but it is not deadly. That is if you have an average, healthy immune system. Thus, you can always take chances with the almond butter as it will only get inedible after it expires. However, many recommend not eating foods that are past their expiration date.
• Occasionally, you may open the jar to find that the oil has separated from the butter. For many, it is an annoying process. It is harmless and has an easy fix (requires some elbow grease) by stirring. But, you can always refrigerate to save trouble.

So, Should You Refrigerate Almond Butter?

A closed almond butter jar can easily survive past its expiration date. After opening, it is merely going to last a month or two sitting on your cabinet shelf, soaking in all the heat and moisture. Refrigeration is perhaps the only practical way to avoid this. Popping the jar right into the fridge after eating will multiply the life expectancy of the butter by double. It will also counter the oil separation process and delay the rancidification of oil.

Of course, the life span of almond butter depends on the kind that you have. For example, homemade almond butter can last from a week to a month. Its life span is heavily dependent on where you store it. Store-bought almond butter can last from 6 months up to a year (if refrigerated) unopened.

Once it is open, it can last 3 to 5 months at room temperature. If you refrigerate it, that life span doubles up to 9 months. Though, that comes at the cost of the butter being less easy to spread. However, there is an easy fix.

The Basics Of Storing Almond Butter

Fridge or no fridge, there are still ground rules to abide by when storing almond butter jars. After all, if you don’t do the basics, what is the point of going the extra mile?

• Always store in a cold, dark place. Adjust the position depending on the season, the weather, or your house’s internal heating system.
• Make sure the temperature limit does not exceed 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Check the expiration date before use.
• Avoid cross-contamination by eating spoonfuls out of the jar. The spoon will likely transfer moisture and bacteria into the almond butter, which will affect the next person eating out of it.
• The lid must always be tightly closed. Make sure that no leftovers stick on the jar.

How To Identify Spoiled Almond Butter

If it has been a while since your almond butter was in the fridge/pantry or you feel the taste to not be up to the mark, immediately check for signs of spoilage.

• Begin with a good whiff. Do you smell anything funny? Bitter, chemical-like smells are a big red flag of food spoilage.
• Check for mold on the butter structure. Thoroughly scan the jar surface for any blue or black spots.
• Look for any signs of discoloration. The butter should be a warm, nice tan throughout.
• Check for its expiry date.

If you happen to tick any of the points above, immediately discard the butter to avoid accidentally ingesting it.

Does "Nuts To You" Almond Butter Need To Be Refrigerated?

Few companies come close to the level of the Nuts To You almond butter range. The Canadian company produces conventional almond butter that is as delicious as they are healthy. Nuts To You make these organic jars of butter without the use of stabilizers. Therefore, you should refrigerate their almond butter to avoid it going to waste.

How Do You Store Homemade Almond Butter?

Homemade almond butter does not have the preservatives any store-bought butter does. So, as you can expect, their life span is short. While storing these, make sure that the jar is thoroughly sterilized and sealed. Keeping it in storage properly would allow it to last up to 2 weeks at room temperature and up to a month if refrigerated.

How Do You Keep Almond Butter From Getting Hard?

To prevent almond butter from getting hard, pamper it while it is still alright. Each time you open the jar, stick in a dinner knife and stir all the way through. By doing so, you are allowing the separated oil to soak back into the nuts and not leave the butter hardened. Another life-saving tip is to store the jar upside down. The theory is to allow the oil at the bottom to mix in with the butter effectively.

However, almond butter that is in the fridge can also get hard. It is a process that is tough to avoid. But, like the process of defrosting, you can let the almond butter sit for 10-15 minutes. After that time is up, you should be able to scoop easily.

Final Takeaway

The bottom line is your almond butter is going to be equally tasty in the refrigerator or out. Your choice of refrigerating it or not only determines how long it will last. Do you plan on making delicious snacks so you can watch that new Netflix show together when guests come over? The cabinet should work.

If you don't need it right away, pop it in the refrigerator. We hope you found the article informative and insightful. Before you go, are you curious if sunflower butter should be refrigerated? Check out our post here.

Need help choosing an oven mitt? We can offer some guidance. Check out our post here. Until next time!