Those of us traveling to the Soviet Union for study abroad programs in the summer of 1987 did not have any illusion that we were going on a culinary tour. (There is a good reason why Russian restaurants are few and far between.) We were advised to bring some familiar foods in our luggage. And one of the most commonly packed foods, because we knew very well that there would be none in all of the Soviet Union, was peanut butter. Just a spoonful or two, especially when paired with some chocolate, could make a bad day go away. Almost. (I still remember the Russian babushkas, speaking to themselves but plenty loud enough for me to hear, and commenting on my poor upbringing, not having sense enough to carry a smaller bag, etc.)
Peanut butter is serious comfort food for many of us, especially children, and it’s packed with protein and calories. It’s often recommended for bug out bags or emergency kits, as it needs no heating and can be eaten alone or with crackers. It comes in packets, powder, and small jars. It even comes in 4-gallon buckets. I bought one of those several years back for just a few dollars.
Some say it lasts for years, some say it goes rancid within a few months. So what’s the truth here?
Honestly, there is no easy answer. That’s because numerous factors affect the shelf life of peanut butter and there are literally hundreds of varieties of peanut butter.
· Packaging. I noticed years ago that peanut butter packaged in glass had a much longer shelf life than peanut butter packaged in plastic. A BYU study showed similar results for cooking oils.[1] Of course, just as with olive oil, higher quality products tend to be packaged in glass.
· Vegetable oils have a shorter shelf life than peanut oil. If the peanut butter is made with hydrogenated oils, it’s not going to last as long.
· High fructose corn syrup, another common additive to peanut butter, also shortens the shelf life.
· Honey. Honey is frequently added to peanut butter as a sweetener. But you can bet your bottom dollar that most companies are using adulterated honey—adulterated with who knows what.
· Temperature. Higher temperatures will drastically shorten the shelf life of peanut butter. All peanut butter will last longer if stored in the refrigerator after opening. Natural and homemade peanut butters should be stored in the refrigerator after opening.
· Oil separation. Oil separation in natural peanut butters is normal. Just stir the oil back in. However, oil separation in processed peanut butters suggests that the peanut butter is going or has gone bad.
· Peanut butter, by law in the US, must contain at least 90% peanuts. All the other stuff is peanut spread and contains more additives and preservatives.
For the longest shelf life, only purchase natural peanut butter—just peanuts and salt—packaged in glass jars and keep them as cool as possible.
Another option would be to store peanuts in the freezer and make your own peanut butter as needed. It’s really easy to do—just whirl the peanuts in a food processor and salt to taste. That’s it.
What about peanut butter powder?
Peanut butter powder is a really convenient item for making instant soups and meals in a bag. However, the shelf life isn’t any longer than for regular peanut butter. Also, if this is an item you are storing a lot of, be aware that over half the fat has been removed and sugar has been added.
Links to related posts:
Glass or Plastic Bottles for Storage
