According to Southern Living, citing experts from Land O’Lakes, the question of how to store butter remains a key concern for consumers: should it be kept at room temperature, or is it better to store it in the fridge or freezer? Experts from Land O’Lakes have explained the basic rules to help keep the product fresh and safe.

It is best to keep the butter in the fridge

According to experts, butter should be kept in the fridge if you do not intend to use it within a few hours.

In accordance with the requirements of the USDA and FDA, most dairy products must be kept refrigerated. Once butter has been taken out of the fridge, it is not recommended to leave it at room temperature for longer than 4 hours, as this may affect its taste and colour.

How to preserve the flavour and quality of butter

Proper storage is important not only for safety but also for product quality. Fresh butter has a delicate creamy flavour and a pale yellow colour.

Experts point out that butter quickly absorbs odours, so it should be kept away from strongly scented foods such as onions or garlic.

It is also not advisable to store butter in the fridge door, as this is one of the warmest areas. The best place is the coldest part of the fridge.

Once the packaging has been opened, the butter should:

  • keep in the original packaging;
  • store in an airtight container or bag;
  • Use no later than one week after the date shown on the packaging.

Freezing for long-term storage

For longer storage, you can freeze butter.

Experts advise:

  • freeze the butter in its original packaging;
  • use it within 4 months (if frozen before the expiry date).

To defrost butter, it is best to leave it in the fridge overnight. You can also soften it quickly by grating it – the pieces will soften quickly at room temperature.

How can you tell if butter has gone off?

Signs that butter has gone off include:

  • an unpleasant smell;
  • sour taste;
  • a darker shade of yellow.

The appearance of mould is also a sign that the product has gone off. In this case, the butter should be disposed of.

Source: Southern Living (according to Land O’Lakes experts)