Peanut butter is a staple in many households, but it can be annoying when it goes dry and crumbly. A food expert has shared a simple hack to stop this from happening
Peanut butter is a brilliant way to elevate your breakfast to scrumptious new levels, whether you’re slathering it on toast or adding a dollop to your porridge.
A fantastic source of protein and healthy fats, peanut butter is a kitchen essential for many households, with countless brands available to pick from.
Yet, it can be incredibly frustrating to open a jar only to discover that oil separation has taken place – which, whilst it’s a natural occurrence, can create quite a messy situation to sort out.
Similarly, as you near the bottom of the jar, you’re left with bone-dry remnants that simply won’t spread.
Fortunately, there’s an incredibly straightforward solution, and it all boils down to how you handle the jar, reports the Express.
Reddit users have revealed an array of bizarre and inventive methods to restore that smooth texture.
These suggestions vary from “give the jar a stir and hope for the best” to “blend the peanut butter in a food processor or with an immersion blender to recreate the creamy consistency”.
Actually, the solution is much more straightforward.
According to Richard Price, food expert at Brit Superstore, it’s all about where and how you store it.
He explained: “Healthier peanut butters separate because they’re lacking additives or stabilisers that bind the oil to the solids. As a result, the oil naturally rises to the top of the jar over time.
“To avoid this, the key is to store your peanut butter upside down in the fridge. By flipping the jar, you force the oil to move back through the solids.
“Keeping it chilled slows the oil’s movement, causing it to firm up before it can fully separate again. In essence, the oil re-incorporates itself, saving you the hassle of constant stirring.”
It’s as simple as that to maintain your peanut butter’s creamy consistency, without needing to whip out the hand blender.
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But, there’s more to why you should reconsider where you store your peanut butter.
Richard explained: “Refrigerating the spread extends its shelf life, maintaining its freshness and preventing mould growth. Give this a try and you’ll find your peanut butter’s flavour and texture are preserved for much longer.”