Peanut butter is a fantastic way to elevate your breakfast, whether you’re slathering it on toast or adding a spoonful to your porridge. A great source of protein and healthy fats, peanut butter is a staple in many kitchens, with so many different brands to choose from.
However, it can be quite annoying to open a jar and find that oil separation has occurred – a natural but messy process. Similarly, as you near the bottom of the jar, all that’s left is dry, unspreadable residue.
Fortunately, there’s a simple solution, and it all boils down to how you handle the jar. Reddit users have suggested various eccentric methods to restore the creamy texture, ranging from “stirring the jar and hoping for the best” to “blending the peanut butter in a food processor or with an immersion blender to recreate the creamy consistency”.
In reality, the solution is much simpler, reports the Express. 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.”
Storing your peanut butter in the fridge is not only a nifty trick to maintain its creamy texture – and that’s without resorting to using a hand blender. But that’s not the only perk of keeping it chilled.
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.”