How and how much you can store butter in the fridge and freezer
Often butter is stored for future use, and in this case you need to know how much product is stored in the freezer. Although it is most often stored in the refrigerator, sometimes it is necessary to do so with field conditions, for example, when traveling or in a remote village. Experienced housewives use a few tricks that will allow you not to lose freshness even in the absence of kitchen appliances.
GOST Requirements
In GOST 32261-2013 “Butter. Technical conditions “you can find information about the quality of the product, under what conditions it should be stored and transported. As stated in the document, the shelf life differs depending on the composition, the type of packaging and the temperature.
Standard portions in foil packages in accordance with GOST are stored for up to 15 days at temperatures of 2-5 degrees above zero - such conditions are maintained by refrigerators. The same amount of product is stored wrapped in parchment.As for the freezer, when the temperature drops to minus 18 degrees, the shelf life increases to 120 days, subject to the presence of packaging made of foil, parchment or polymeric materials.
How to store it properly
Most housewives will answer the question of where to store butter absolutely correctly - this tasty and healthy dairy product should be stored in the refrigerator. However, it is necessary to take into account a number of nuances:
- the door shelf is not the most suitable place, since when you open and close the refrigerator, the temperature constantly changes;
- a crisper drawer at the bottom of the unit will keep food moist enough to spread comfortably on sandwiches;
- the coolest place in the refrigerator will maximize shelf life.
In manufacturer's packaging
Most often, the manufacturer of portioned bars uses aluminum foil as packaging. In this case, the purchase can be moved to the home refrigerator in the same form as it was on the store shelf. This also applies to situations where the manufacturer has chosen parchment, a plastic box or another opaque container for packaging. Goods purchased by weight, wrapped in plastic wrap, should be transferred to a greaser or wrapped in suitable material.
In the oil can
When choosing a lubricator, it is better to give preference to materials such as porcelain and stainless steel. If the container is plastic, the walls will be permeable to the odors of the surrounding food. Also, washing can be difficult.
The basic requirements for a container for storing butter are:
- opaque walls;
- airtight lid.
In a properly selected oiler or container suitable for the characteristics, butter is stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 weeks.
Foil
To prevent the delicate taste from spoiling, aluminum foil is ideal as a wrapper. The product wrapped in this material will not lose its properties for up to 20 days.
In parchment paper
The paper is breathable, so the product will not suffocate. At the same time, the parchment will prevent aeration. For storage, the part is wrapped in 2 layers. The quality will last up to 10 days.
Can I store in the freezer
An excellent feature of the product is that it tolerates freezing well. It is advisable to cut a large piece into portions - so there will be no need to completely defrost it to cut the necessary part in volume. The oil is wrapped in several layers of parchment paper and then wrapped in cellophane. This will prevent the absorption of aromas from nearby foods such as meat and fish.
Freezer storage times are shown in the table below.
| Temperature (in degrees Celsius) | Storage time |
| – 12 | Up to 9 months |
| – 18 | Up to 12 months |
If the oil is left longer, it will negatively affect the taste.
How to store without a refrigerator
At room temperature, the butter will begin to deteriorate after two days. However, there are several ways to keep it fresh a little longer.
The water
The simplest and yet effective method: soak a piece of oil in a bowl of cold water and put it in the coolest place in the house. The method works even in the hot season. There is another option for storing liquids. The product is placed in a glass jar. It is placed in a pan of water so that the liquid reaches the middle of the container. A cotton cloth is placed on the pot, previously moistened and wrung out well.The ends of the flap should sink into the water.
Salt
To keep the butter fresh, you will need:
- salt - 20 g;
- water - 1 liter;
- parchment;
- deep dishes (it is better to take enamel or glass).
A piece is pre-cut into portions weighing 150-200 g, and each piece is wrapped in parchment. For these purposes, parchment paper is suitable, which can be found in every housewife. Sticks are put in a saucepan or jar and poured with cold water with salt dissolved in it. The fluid should be changed daily. It works best if you use oppression. Thus, the product will last up to three weeks.
The vinegar
Vinegar is an excellent preservative and will help extend shelf life at room temperature. To do this, you need to prepare a solution of vinegar and pour it into a glass jar. Oil placed in such liquid will last longer. Another way to store the product using vinegar will require a cotton cloth. The flap is moistened in a solution of water and table vinegar, after which it is wrapped in butter. The prepared product is placed in a saucepan or other container, sprinkled with sugar and covered with a lid.
When the fabric dries, you need to re-wet it with a vinegar solution.
Signs of spoiled product
If the butter has started to go bad, it's easy to notice. First of all, the color will change: the product will take on a yellowish tint. Smell is another indicator of freshness. Spoiled oil releases moisture. The stale product has a bitter taste.
Substandard oil is dangerous for human consumption, as pathogens develop in it as a result of oxidation processes. If it gets into the gastrointestinal tract of a person, a spoiled product can cause severe poisoning.
Spoiled Oil Resuscitation
Discard the rancid oil. However, there are situations when it becomes necessary to resuscitate the product. There are several ways to help give contaminated oil a second life:
- If the outer surface yellows during storage, the discolored layer should be removed. Tips can be used when discoloration is the only sign of deterioration. After cutting the top layer, it is necessary to change the storage conditions of the remaining part.
- Spoiled oil can melt. Subsequently, the product is used for cooking.
- The easiest way is to rinse with clean water. Then 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 kneaded in milk. Then the product should be rinsed off under running water.
Additional tips and tricks
When storing, it is important to remember that the most destructive factors are heat and light. Therefore, if you provide proper conditions and packaging that will protect you from these risks, you can significantly extend the shelf life. A few tips and tricks will help you ensure long-term preservation:
- A product that has already been stored and thawed there should not be returned to the chamber with a negative temperature. It will harm the palatability.
- Salted butter lasts longer because the salt in the oil prevents bacteria from growing.
- When buying, you should pay attention to the expiration date indicated on the package.
- The oil is characterized by the fact that it absorbs odors well. Therefore, it is not recommended to keep it open, especially next to products with strong aromas.
- A plastic bag is not suitable for long-term storage, since its properties deteriorate in such packaging.
- A little trick that will prolong the shelf life when stored in a greaser: put a small piece of sugar in the container.
Storing butter at home is not so difficult if you follow a number of nuances. A refrigerator is preferable for an everyday product; a freezer is best for long-term storage. However, the oil will not go rancid, even at room temperature, if protected from light and high temperatures.