Spread The Love's Guide To Storing Natural Nut Butters
To keep your nut butter fresh, flavorful, and perfectly textured, proper storage is essential. Because natural nut butters are made with simple, high-quality ingredients and no unnecessary additives, how you store them can make a big difference in taste, consistency, and overall quality over time. At Spread The Love, we believe every jar should be enjoyed at its very best, from the first scoop to the last. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide to walk you through the best storage practices, answer common questions, and ensure you get the most out of your nut butter. With just a few easy tips, you can preserve freshness, maintain that ultra-creamy texture, and enjoy every spoonful exactly as it was meant to be.
1. Store in a Cool, Dry Place
First, always pay attention to where you store your jars. A cool, dry pantry or cupboard away from heat and direct sunlight is the best choice for everyday storage. Heat and light can accelerate oxidation, the process that causes the natural oils in nuts to go rancid and flavors to degrade prematurely, so keeping your jars in a stable environment preserves both taste and freshness.
2. Refrigeration: To Chill or Not to Chill?
For longer storage or hotter climates, refrigeration is a smart option. While our nut butters do not require refrigeration, chilling them can extend freshness, especially if you’re not going through jars quickly. Keep in mind that refrigerated nut butter will firm up, so you may want to let a chilled jar sit at room temperature for a few minutes before spreading for that ultra-creamy texture.
3. Keep Lid Tight and Avoid Contamination
When you open a jar, take a moment to put the lid back on tightly after each use. This simple step minimizes air exposure, which can dry out the nut butter or encourage subtle changes in texture over time. Using clean utensils every time and avoiding double-dipping or introducing moisture also helps keep your nut butter fresh and food-safe throughout its lifespan.
4. Flip It for Freshness
One common occurrence with natural nut butters is oil separation, where the natural oils rise to the top. This is completely normal and a sign of a high-quality, natural product. To minimize oil separation, try storing your nut butter jar upside down and flipping it each time you use it. This simple trick helps keep the oils evenly distributed throughout the jar, so you can enjoy a consistent texture every time.
5. Nut Butter Shelf Life and Freshness
Our products typically have a one-year shelf life, so you have plenty of time to enjoy them. Each jar comes with a "best by" date printed on the label. This date serves as a guide to ensure you're enjoying our product at its peak freshness. While nut butter doesn't spoil easily, following the "best by" date helps ensure the best taste and quality.
Proper storage plays a big role in preserving the flavor, texture, and quality of your nut butter. With just a little care, you can ensure every scoop tastes as good as the first.
And don’t forget how versatile nut butters truly are! Beyond toast and sandwiches, they can be blended into smoothies, whisked into sauces and dressings, baked into your favorite treats, or enjoyed straight from the spoon. When stored properly, nut butter becomes a reliable, nutrient-dense pantry staple that effortlessly elevates both meals and snacks.
At Spread The Love, we’re proud to craft the highest-quality nut butters using simple, thoughtful ingredients. Whether you keep your jars in the pantry, pop them in the fridge, or take them on the go, following these storage tips will help maximize freshness, flavor, and enjoyment from every jar.
Happy spreading! 🥜✨
The Author: Val Fishbain
Val Fishbain is the co-founder and president of Spread The Love Foods, a women- and minority-owned clean-label nut butter brand known for its simple ingredients and no-palm-oil philosophy. With over 12 years of experience bringing better-for-you peanut butter to families, athletes, and wellness communities, Val is a leading advocate for honest food labeling and nutrient-dense, real-food nutrition.
