How to store butter: in the refrigerator, freezer, tips and rules, timing

GOST requirements

In GOST 32261-2013 “Butter. Technical Specifications" you can find information about what quality the product should be, under what conditions it should be stored and transported. As stated in the document, shelf life varies depending on the composition, type of packaging and temperature.

Standard portioned pieces in foil packaging according to GOST are stored for up to 15 days at a temperature of 2 to 5 degrees above zero - such conditions are maintained by refrigerators. The product is stored wrapped in parchment for the same amount of time. As for the freezer, when the temperature drops to minus 18 degrees, the shelf life increases to 120 days, provided there is packaging made of foil, parchment or polymer materials.

Expiration dates

The shelf life of oil depends on the type of fat and oil product, the technical characteristics of its production and storage conditions .

Creamy

Butter belongs to the category of perishable products, so its shelf life is short.

First of all, the shelf life depends on the packaging and compliance with the temperature regime.

Packaged butter has a shelf life of 10 days if its wrapper is made of parchment, 20 days if the packaging is made of foil.

The shelf life of homemade oil, made independently, has the same terms as that of the factory one, and depends on the packaging and storage conditions.

Butter with any fillers has a shelf life of 15 days . Ghee, which is fat rendered from butter, has the longest shelf life - up to 1 year.

When storing butter, it is necessary to maintain a temperature regime no higher than +6 ° C, humidity should not exceed 90%.

Sunflower

Sunflower oil is divided into several types depending on production technology . The shelf life is set by the manufacturer; the shelf life recommended by GOST for sunflower oil is:

for unrefined oil - 4 months;
for refined deodorized oil - up to 6 months;
for cold-pressed oil - from 3 to 4 months;
Bulk oil of any production technology has the shortest shelf life - up to 45 days.

If a longer period is indicated on the packaging of sunflower oil, which contradicts Russian GOSTs, then such oil contains a significant amount of preservatives and can be hazardous to health .

There is an unfounded opinion that the shelf life of sunflower oil is practically unlimited. Some believe it could be seven years.

This is a misconception, since vegetable oil, like all fat and oil products, oxidizes, as a result of which it loses its consumer qualities, and harmful substances can form .

So you shouldn’t take risks and use sunflower oil whose expiration date has long passed.

Margarine

Margarine, which is a modified fat , has a fairly long shelf life. The shelf life of margarine ranges from 60 to 90 days , depending on the production technology.

Spread

For spreads made from a mixture of vegetable and dairy fats and being a surrogate for butter , the shelf life is set by the manufacturer depending on the production technology.

Typically, the shelf life of this type of product ranges from 60 to 90 days , depending on storage conditions.

Does vodka have an expiration date and what is it? Find out the answer right now.

How to store it correctly

Most housewives will answer the question about the ideal place to store butter absolutely correctly - this tasty and healthy dairy product should be kept in the refrigerator. However, it is necessary to take into account a number of nuances:

a shelf on the door is not the most suitable place, since the temperature will constantly change when opening and closing the refrigerator;
the vegetable drawer at the bottom of the appliance will allow the product to remain soft enough to be conveniently spread on sandwiches;
The coolest place in the refrigerator will maximize shelf life.

In manufacturer's packaging

Most often, the manufacturer uses foil as packaging for portioned bars. In this case, the purchase can be moved to the home refrigerator in the same form in which it was on the store shelf. This also applies to situations where the manufacturer has chosen parchment, a plastic box or other opaque container for packaging. Goods purchased in bulk, wrapped in plastic film, must be transferred to an oil can or wrapped in a suitable material.

In the oil can

When choosing an oiler, it is better to give preference to materials such as porcelain and stainless steel. If the container is made of plastic, then its walls will be permeable to the odors of surrounding products. In addition, it may be difficult to wash.

The basic requirements for a container for storing butter are as follows:

opaque walls;
tight-fitting lid.

In a properly selected butter dish or container suitable for its characteristics, butter can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 weeks.

In foil

To prevent the delicate taste from spoiling, foil is a great packaging option. A product wrapped in this material will not lose its properties for up to 20 days.

In parchment paper

Paper is a breathable material, so the product will not suffocate. At the same time, the parchment will protect against weathering. For storage, the piece is wrapped in 2 layers. The quality will last up to 10 days.

Can it be stored in the freezer?

An excellent characteristic of the product is that it tolerates freezing remarkably well. It is advisable to cut a large piece into portions - this way there will be no need to defrost it completely in order to cut off the part required by volume. The butter is wrapped in several layers of parchment paper and then in cellophane. This will prevent aromas from being absorbed from nearby foods such as meat and fish.

The shelf life in the freezer is given in the table below.

Temperature (in degrees Celsius)	Storage duration
– 12	Up to 9 months
– 18	Up to 12 months

If the oil sits for longer, it will negatively affect the taste characteristics.

How to store without refrigeration

At room temperature, butter will begin to deteriorate within two days. However, there are several ways to help maintain freshness a little longer.

Water

The simplest and yet most effective method is to place a piece of butter in a bowl of cold water and place it in the coolest place in the house. The method works even in the warm season. There is another storage option using liquid. The product is placed in a glass jar. Place it in a pan of water so that the liquid reaches the middle of the container. A cotton cloth, previously moistened and well wrung out, is placed on top of the jar. The ends of the flap should fall into the water.

Salt

To keep butter fresh you will need:

salt - 20 g;
water - 1 liter;
parchment paper;
deep dishes (it is best to take enamel or glass).

The piece is pre-cut into portions weighing 150-200 g, and each part is wrapped in parchment. For these purposes, baking paper is suitable, which every housewife can find. The cubes are placed in a pan or jar and filled with cool water with salt dissolved in it. The fluid must be changed daily. The method works better if you use oppression. This way the product will last up to three weeks.

Vinegar

Vinegar is an excellent preservative and will help extend shelf life at room temperature. To do this, you need to prepare a vinegar solution and pour it into a glass jar. Oil placed in such a liquid will last longer. For another method of storing a product using vinegar, you will need a cotton cloth. The flap is moistened in a solution prepared from water and table vinegar, after which it is wrapped in butter. The prepared product is placed in a pan or other container, sprinkled with sugar and covered with a lid.

When the fabric dries, it is necessary to re-moisten it with a vinegar solution.

Where and how else you can: storage methods

In fact, there are not many ways to store butter. They are usually divided into two ways:

in the refrigerator (can be divided into storage in the freezer and in a regular refrigerator);
at room temperature (i.e. not in the refrigerator).

Each of these methods has a lot of nuances that should not be forgotten so as not to spoil the dairy product.

Refrigerator or freezer

The following describes how to properly preserve the product in the refrigerator and freezer and what storage conditions must be observed. It has already been said that in most cases it is recommended to freeze butter in the freezer to extend its shelf life and preserve all its taste characteristics.
The product must be stored in parchment paper or foil covered with a plastic bag on top. If the temperature in the freezer compartment is −12 degrees, this means that the oil will “live” there for no longer than 9 months. If the temperature tends to −18 degrees, then the shelf life of the oil increases to a year.

As for storage in a regular refrigerator (i.e., without freezing), the same packaging rules apply as for the freezer.

Be sure to store butter in foil, a special butter dish, or a plastic container. The ambient temperature should be 0…+6 degrees. If all rules are followed, the oil will retain all its properties for 3-4 weeks.

At room temperature without refrigeration

Storage without refrigeration devices is relevant for those who like to frequently travel outdoors or spend time traveling. Even in the summer heat, it is possible to store butter without compromising its quality. The average shelf life if all techniques are followed is 21 days.

Here are a few tricks to help you keep your butter delicious and fresh, even without refrigeration.

Brine

Cut the butter bar into portions and wrap each piece in foil or parchment paper.
Place all portions in a saucepan and fill with cold salted water (for each liter of water there should be 20 g of table salt).
Close the pan with a lid and place some heavy press on top.

It is better to store salted butter in a cool, dark place. The old salt solution must be drained and refilled with fresh one regularly .

About storing oil in saline solution in the video:

Soaking in vinegar

Soak a piece of gauze or any other clean white cloth with vinegar.
Wrap the butter in this cloth and place it in a food container with a tight lid.
Put 2-3 cubes of refined sugar there.

Melted butter

Cut the butter stick into small portions, place them in an aluminum pan (you can use a steel container with a thick bottom) and place on low heat.
Be sure to remove any foam that appears and continue melting the butter until it becomes literally transparent.
Cool the finished mass and pour it into a clean, slightly warmed jar (leave the milk protein sediment at the bottom of the pan - this will not be needed) and close the jar with a lid.

This composition can be stored at room temperature away from sunlight for a long time.

Proper storage of butter will not only help preserve its taste, but will also protect you and your family from severe food poisoning. If you suddenly have the slightest suspicion that the product has gone bad, then immediately throw it in the trash and don’t take any risks.

It is best, of course, to store the product in the freezer or refrigerator and use life hacks that allow you to store oil outside the refrigeration device as rarely as possible.

In the video about preparing and storing ghee:

Signs of a spoiled product

If the butter begins to spoil, it is easy to notice. First of all, the color will change: the product will acquire a yellowish tint. Smell is another indicator of freshness. Spoiled oil smells damp. A stale product tastes bitter.

Substandard oil is dangerous for consumption because pathogenic microorganisms develop in it as a result of oxidation processes. If a spoiled product enters the human gastrointestinal tract, it can cause severe poisoning.

Resuscitation of spoiled oil

It is better to throw away rancid oil. However, there are situations when it becomes necessary to revive the product. There are several ways to help give spoiled oil a second life:

If the outer surface turns yellow during storage, the discolored layer should be removed. This advice can be used when a change in color is the only sign of damage. After cutting off the top layer, you need to change the storage conditions for the remaining part.
Spoiled butter can be melted. Subsequently, the product is used for cooking.
The simplest way is to rinse with plain water. Afterwards, you need to salt the product and mix it with a small amount of carrot juice.
A soda solution will help revive spoiled butter. The product is first treated with a liquid prepared from a teaspoon of soda dissolved in a glass of water, then washed and a pinch of salt is added.
Stale butter can be mashed in milk. Then the product must be washed under running water.

The benefits of butter

A butter sandwich for breakfast is a good start to the day. The oil energizes you throughout the day, helps you wake up and give strength to your body.

Butter is a unique product. It contains vitamin A in large quantities. To replenish one third of the daily requirement for this vitamin, it is enough to eat 50 grams of this product. It is very useful for the functioning of the immune system and vision. In addition to vitamin A, the oil also contains a host of other substances necessary for humans. It contains all the B vitamins, as well as many others. The body needs all these beneficial substances for healthy teeth, hair, skin and bone growth. Natural butter helps improve the functioning of the digestive system.

Also, eating oil has a positive effect on the nervous system and reproductive organs. 150 different acids and 40 percent oleic acid are included in this product. Natural oil contains proteins, carbohydrates, iron, calcium, magnesium, and many other useful substances.

When oil is consumed in moderation, it provides the body with calories that give the body energy and strength. During winter, the use of this product is simply necessary. To protect yourself from hypothermia, you should eat a small piece of butter in the morning. The renewal of brain cells and nervous tissue occurs precisely due to fats. For children as they grow, this is simply necessary. Otherwise, there may be cases of mental retardation and others.