Do you have a jar of Nutella in the pantry or kitchen cabinet that has been there for quite some time now? During such situations one starts wondering whether they can still use the spread. Does Nutella get spoiled?
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Normally, most sandwich spreads can stay for a long time, but once you discover that one of the ingredients used in making it is milk, you begin think that it will go bad a little faster than you anticipated. Read on for more information on the shelf life, storage and how fast Nutella spread can go bad.
How to Store Nutella
Nutella should be stored in the same way other sandwich spreads normally are, like peanut butter. Meaning that the jar has to be stored in a dark and cool place, away from sunlight or any heat sources. The perfect temperature for the spread to stay in is between 18 degrees C (or 64 degrees F) and 20 degrees C (or 68 degrees F). Therefore, the kitchen cabinet or pantry are the best storage places.
Once the jar is opened, the remaining product should be stored using the same guidelines. The jar has to always be sealed tightly after every use.
Also, maintaining proper hygiene within the jar will help the Nutella maintain its original quality for a longer time. When it comes to Nutella and other spreads, proper hygiene is always ensuring that the knife or spoon you’re using to scoop it is clean.
Although using our fingers may be fun too most people, it’s not the right way to go. Using previously used cutlery (double dipping) or one’s fingers is likely to put bacteria as well as other contaminants into your hazelnut spread. Also, such bad habits can contribute to your spread getting spoiled or even losing its original quality.
How Long Does Nutella Last?
Usually, a best by date is included on a Nutella jar. This date is only a rough estimate of how long the spread ought to retain its freshness. In most instances, it is safer for you to not use the spread past the best-by date because the quality may have degraded with time.
Just like in most processed products, there’s not particular means to determine how long after the best-by date your spread will be good for consumption with regards to quality. If your jar is already open, it can last for about a couple months from when it was opened. According to the information from the Ferrero’s website, the spread should stay for twelve months from the time it was opened.
Like we mentioned earlier, Nutella loses its fresh state with time so if your spread has been in the pantry or kitchen cabinet for six months or more, it won’t be as tasty as it would have been when it was opened at first.
| Pantry | |
| Nutella (unopened) | Best By + 6 months |
| Nutella (opened) | 6 months |
How to tell If Nutella Is Bad
A fresh jar of Nutella has a nice amount of oil. This means that it can easily become rancid. If you notice your spread smells a bit odd or rancid, discard it. Rancid oils are necessarily not unsafe to consume, but they’ll definitely not taste or smell good.
Since there’s oil in Nutella, there’s a possibility for it to separate at the top especially after being stored for some time. This is a normal occurrence. The similar thing occurs in other spreads such as mustard, tahini and peanut butter. If this happens to your spread, you’ll need to stir it so that it can get back to its original state.
Apart from rancidity, look out for other common signs of spoilage for instance, funny or foul smells, mold or bacterial growth as well as any noticeable irregularity in texture.
If your Nutella smells and appears okay, taste some of it so that you can determine whether or not it is still in perfect condition. This way you’ll know whether you can still keep it or toss it away.
Conclusion
As we mentioned before, Nutella loses its original quality with time. When the jar is opened for the first time, its texture is soft and creamy. It then begins to dry out and harden over time. This is an ongoing process and it will not just stop being soft and creamy and become dry and hard.
At some point, your Nutella will become hard to use and that is when you’ll have to dispose of it. Also, Nutella gradually loses its original flavor with time, so when you notice that it’s not as good as it used to be, it’s time you bought another jar.
Finally, if your jar of Nutella has been open for a long time, let’s say for 2 years or more, it’s best to get rid of it for safety reasons. Although it may appear okay, there’ll be no need for you to risk it.
