How Long Does Peanut Butter Last?

Peanut butter is a long time favourite in many homes known for its creamy texture and delicious taste. However, like all types of food, it has got an expiration date. Knowing how long peanut butter will last can help you to get the most out of this nutritious spread.

How Long Does Peanut Butter Last After Opening?

The shelf life of opened peanut butter varies depending on several factors such as whether it’s natural or processed. As a rule, processed peanut butter which includes preservatives stays longer than natural one.

Processed Peanut Butter: In general, once opened, processed peanut butter can stay for around 2-3 months at room temperature and even up to 6-9 months in the fridge. In fact, its high oil content prevents it from spoiling but with time air exposure may cause its flavor to go bad.

Natural Peanut Butter: In addition, natural peanut butter without preservatives has less time before it becomes stale. This product usually lasts approximately one month after opening if kept in the pantry and three to six months when stored in the refrigerator. The natural oil in peanut butter tends to separate faster and become rancid more quickly necessitating refrigeration as recommended by some producers.

How Long Does Homemade Peanut Butter Last?

However homemade peanut butter is fresh and can be tailored as per preferences unlike those store bought ones however there is a limited expiry period due to lack of additives used in them.

Storage and Shelf Life: To minimize air exposure homemade peanut should be stored in an airtight container. Pantry storage generally lasts 1-2 weeks whereas refrigerated storage keeps up to one month for extended freshness. Always check for any signs of spoilage including changes in smell, taste or texture prior eating it.

How Long Does Peanut Butter Last After Expiration Date?

For example a due date on a jar of peanuts is not really meant to indicate that the food will suddenly become unsafe. You need to consider this:

Unopened Peanut Butter: In fact, if it is stored well, unopened peanut butter will last for a few more months beyond the expiry date. For processed peanut butter, this could mean up to 6-12 months past the printed date, while natural peanut butter might last 3-6 months longer.

Opened Peanut Butter: Furthermore, after opening it deteriorates at a faster rate. Even though the peanut butter has exceeded its expiration date there are possibilities of using it because it hasn’t spoiled yet. Also, check for mold-like substances or any off odor and taste.

Signs of Spoilage

Check for one or more of these signs to know whether your peanut butter is spoilt regardless of its type:

Off Smell: Rancid peanut butter will have a sharp, unpleasant odor.

Taste: Spoiled peanut butter will taste bitter or sour.

Texture: Any mold growth or significant change in texture (such as extreme oil separation) indicates it’s time to discard the peanut butter.

Conclusion