While peanut butter does have a long shelf life, the oils in it will eventually spoil.
The bang out you buyand how you store itmakes all the difference.
So if that jar ofpeanut butterhas been parked in your cupboard for months (or beyond!
Credit:Getty Images / Alexey Koza
), you may want to think twice before diving in.
What Is Peanut Butter, and How Is It Made?
For crunchy peanut butter, chopped peanuts are added after grinding the peanuts.
Other ingredients can include salt, sugar, and fully hydrogenated vegetable oils.
How Long Will Peanut Butter Last?
Peanut butter that has become rancid will likely have a sharp bitter, metallic, or soapy odor.
Old peanut butter can also be darker in color with a harder, dry-looking texture.
Mold may also be present on spoiled peanut butter.
If you smell or see any of these factors, toss your jar and get a new one.
What If I Ate Bad Peanut Butter?
The rancid oils in spoiled peanut butter will make it taste noticeably unpleasant with one bite.
If you think it tastes off, spit the peanut butter out and dont eat anymore.
If it says to refrigerate after opening, then follow those directions.
To soften cold peanut butter, scoop it into a bowl and microwave it just until softened and spreadable.
