There are so many nut butters available now, and it’s super exciting. No longer are we stuck with just peanut butter, but any nuts can nowadays be churned into a delicious paste! One of the most versatile and most delicious, in my opinion, is cashew butter.
When it comes to nutritional value, cashews stand out from other nuts due to their high zinc and copper content. Cashews boast a variety of other minerals, carbohydrates, and proteins that contribute to their overall health benefits. Cashew nuts are actually attached to a cashew fruit called a cashew apple, making their yield from a tree relatively small. Hence, they can be pretty expensive.
With this in mind, you want to ensure you are storing your cashew butter properly to get the most out of your investment! Here is how to do so.
How To Store Cashew Butter?
How to store your cashew butter will vary depending on whether it is store-bought and shelf-stable or homemade.
Store-bought, shelf-stable cashew butter can be stored in a glass jar in a cool and dark place. Just make sure the lid is secure and airtight. Once opened, you can keep it in the pantry. Just close it tightly after each use. Some manufacturers recommend refrigeration after opening, so read your labels too.
If you have made cashew butter yourself, then it really should be stored in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator, as it tends to oxidize and go bad much faster.
Can You Freeze Cashew Butter?
Prolong the life of your cashew butter by freezing it! Just divide the butter into individual airtight containers, pop them in the freezer, or get creative by using an ice cube tray for cashew butter cubes.
How To Defrost Cashew Butter?
For optimal defrosting of your cashew butter, refrigerate it overnight. Remove the container or desired amount of ice cubes and transfer them onto a plate. Allow them to gently thaw in the fridge until ready to use. It is best not to thaw them outside of the refrigerator, especially if you live in a warm environment.
How Long Does Cashew Butter Last?
Pantry: Cashew butter can be stored in a cool and dark place for up to 3 weeks.
Fridge: Cashew butter can be refrigerated for a period of one to three months if it is store-bought or up to one month if it is homemade.
Freezer: Frozen cashew butter has a shelf life of 4-6 months.
How To Know When Cashew Butter Is Rancid?
If you are questioning whether your cashew butter has spoiled, the most reliable choice is to trust your gut. If you feel that something’s off, you’re probably right. When you open the jar and notice an abnormal appearance or smell, chances are you’ve got expired cashew butter.
Here are a few methods to determine if your cashew butter has gone bad:
- Open the jar and visually inspect the cashew butter. Are the solids and oils separated and refusing to mix back together? If so, it’s time to bid farewell to your cashew butter. Fresh cashew butter should have a creamy consistency. If it appears hard and dry, it’s another indication that it’s time to part ways.
- Give your cashew butter a whiff. Does it have an unpleasant or rancid smell? If so, it’s best to get rid of it. Fresh cashew butter should have a mild and sweet aroma without emitting any harsh scents.
- If you taste your cashew butter and it tastes stale, that’s a reliable indicator that it has gone bad. Fresh cashew butter has a subtly sweet, nutty flavor and a creamy texture.
FAQs
Cashew butter can be enjoyed on toast or dolloped into oatmeal for breakfast. I like it as an alternative to dairy to make creamy sauces as pestos. You can also use it to make raw treats like truffles, bliss balls, and vegan cheesecakes.
Cashew butter is a great plant-based protein option. Protein plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle mass, promoting healthy hair and skin, and supporting the healing process of wounds. It also contains lots of healthy fats and fat-soluble vitamins!
Cashews are pricier than peanuts due to their limited growth regions and intricate harvesting process. There are also very few cashews per tree compared to other tree nuts.
It could be! It has healthy fats and antioxidants, which are skin-nourishing. At the very least, it won’t be bad for the skin.
Cashew butter is a dairy-free product, making it a safe option for individuals with milk allergies.
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