Butter: it is just one of those simple ingredients that somehow has become the subject of spirited arguments in homes everywhere.
One of them curses the butter dish on the counter – soft, spreadable, toastable at a momentary notice. The other one is certain that butter is kept in the fridge, cold and secure, and that is that.
Sound familiar?
Indeed, there are couples who even fight (or so they joke) about this. One woman relates, “My husband wants to leave butter out, because that is the way his grandma did it!” And neither is she alone. This battle of the kitchen oddities may be petty, however it borders on the larger issues of tradition, safety, convenience and even some sense of nostalgia.
Who then is correct?
So, what does the science, safety, and common sense of butter storage say? Let us find out and make you choose the great butter debate finally and forever.
The Butter Chemistry: Why It Is Not Milk or Cream
And then, before we embark upon making decisions about where butter fits, we need to know what is special about butter that makes it stand out against other dairy products.
Butter consists of approximately 80 percent fat and 20 percent water, and barely detectable quantities of protein and sugar – the food bacteria thrive on. That is one of the reasons why butter is less liable to spoilage than milk or cream.
And when you use salted butter, you have an added level of protection. Salt is a natural preservative and it is even more difficult to encourage the growth of bacteria. This is why generations of people – your husband grandma included – have left butter on the counter without a problem.
With that said, butter may spoil. It does not usually grow harmful bacteria as other foods do, yet it becomes rancid with time. Rancidity is the decomposing of fats that are exposed to oxygen, heat, or light. You will tell the difference when it occurs, as it will be nasty both in smell and flavour, although it may not strictly be poisonous.
What is the Maximum Time Butter Can Be Left at Room Temperature?
Here lies the nub of the issue. Can butter be kept out of the fridge?
Food safety experts say that the answer is dependent on the type of butter you are using and your kitchen conditions.
The professionals say this:
Salted butter: Can be left out at room temperature 1 to 2 weeks – just make sure it is covered in a dish and not exposed to direct sunlight or heat.
Unsalted butter: This type of butter needs to be stored in the refrigerator, and can only be left at room temperature a few hours to a day. In the absence of salt, it goes bad faster.
Hot/Sticky kitchen: Salted butter can turn bad more quickly even in hot/sticky kitchens. And of course, in case your kitchen is particularly hot, like in summer time or you are an avid baker, it is best to err on the side of caution and keep it in the fridge.
Best Ways of Storing Butter to Remain Soft and Safe to Use
Desire the convenience of spreadable butter without the chances of spoilage? Better news – you can have both. The clever hints are the following:
covered butter dish
A plain butter dish, with a cover, will work miracles. It excludes dust, insects, and air, which can assist in preventing contamination and hinders oxidation.
California Butter Catalina Island
Keep your butter dish in a cool and shady place -not alongside the oven, stove or window. A little bit of additional heat can accelerate spoilage.
Whole Stick, Don Not Leave Out
Rather than lighting a whole stick, cut off a portion that will only lasted a few days. By doing this, the remainder remains secured and tender in the fridge.
🧈 Wash Dish frequently
old butter left can become rancid and infect fresh butter. Wash your dish before you refill.
How to Tell When Butter Has Got Bad
unsure about that soft, golden square on your counter as to whether it is still edible? Believe what you see (hear, touch, etc.).
The following are the signs that will give away spoiled butter:
Smell: Rancid butter smells strongly of sour or soapy smell. Unless it tastes buttery, it is likely to be bad.
Color: Fresh butter is normally a light, creamy yellow. When it begins to darken or get spots, or become oily or shiny, it is ready to be discarded.
Taste: A bitter or stale taste will be a sure indication that the butter has turned. There is no use trying to hide it, so replace it.
The Curious History of the French Butter Crock
You may own, or have heard of, one of those water-based butter keepers, also known as French butter crocks.
These small jars contain butter stored upside down in a little basin of water, which forms an airtight seal that excludes air but permits the desired spreadable softness.
When properly used, and the water replaced daily, such crocks can preserve butter at room temperature up to a month.
That is rather awesome – and ideal for people who love butter and do not have the patience to wait until a refrigerated stick of butter is softened.
So… Is Your Husband Right?
In one word? Yes – sort of.
Your husband -and his grandmother who loves butter- are not mistaken. People have been storing butter safely on the counter for generations and particularly with salted butter. And in climates that are cooler or kitchens with good shade, this is just dandy.
But the safety of the food also relies on your house, on your habits and your tastes.
In case you abhor the thought of leaving butter out on the counter, then don not do it. Store it in the refrigerator and simply bring out a little when required.
Conversely, hankering after soft, spreadable butter in the morning and being standards with storage, a butter dish on the counter might be perfectly safe and yummy.
Even a compromise exists: keep most of your butter in the fridge, and only bring out a few tablespoons at a time. Then you have the convenience without the waste.
Butter Does Not Need to Be a Battleground
Ultimately, the method in which you store your butter ought to be based on what is most effective to you -not what your mother-in-law, grandma or food blogger believes.
In case you desire tranquility in your kitchen (and your relationship), then here is what is most important:
Know the kind of butter you are using.
Become familiar with safe time limits of room storage.
Make clean containers and clever placement.
In case of doubts, rely on your taste buds and nose.
One of the simple pleasures in life is butter. With a tiny bit of mindfulness and a couple of clever routines, you can have it your way – either soft on the counter or firm out of the fridge.
So however you may feel about butter, at least now you are legally equipped with the facts.
Then go ahead. Toast with peace, butter it.
