How to Preserve Peanut Butter

1. Cool Before Refrigeration: Before storing peanut butter in the refrigerator, let it cool down completely to room temperature.

2. Unopened Container: For unopened jars of peanut butter, store them in the refrigerator where the temperature is consistently cool (ideally around 40°F). Unopened peanut butter can maintain its quality for several months in the fridge.

3. Opened Container: Once opened, refrigerate the peanut butter to extend its shelf life. This will help prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms.

Freezing:

1. Choose Freezer-Safe Containers: If you want to store a large quantity of peanut butter for a longer period, you can freeze it. Select airtight freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags to store peanut butter.

2. Divide into Portions: For ease of use, you can divide the peanut butter into smaller portions before freezing. This way, you can take out only what you need without having to defrost a large container.

3. Properly Seal Containers: Ensure the containers or freezer bags are sealed tightly to prevent air from getting in. Air exposure can cause the peanut butter to spoil more quickly.

4. Freeze Rapidly: Place the containers or freezer bags in the freezer as soon as possible to maintain the quality of the peanut butter. Rapid freezing helps prevent the formation of large ice crystals, which can affect the texture and flavor.

Additional Tips:

- When refrigerating or freezing peanut butter, make sure to place it away from strong-smelling foods to prevent odor absorption.

- Always use clean utensils when accessing the peanut butter to avoid cross-contamination and maintain freshness.

- Keep an eye on the expiration or use-by date indicated on the peanut butter label and consume it well within that time frame for optimal quality.

- Natural or non-stabilized peanut butter might separate, causing the oil to rise to the surface. If this happens, simply stir or mix the contents to evenly distribute the oil throughout.