Butter is the most useful, versatile and most consumed dairy product after milk. This ingredient has been a staple in kitchens all over the world for centuries. It is creamy, rich and useful in cooking, which makes it so popular for creating an enormous number of dishes. Be it savoury or sweet, butter is used in every form of cooking. With time, butter has transformed in its formation too and now on the market, there are various types of butter, like salted, unsalted and even flavourful compound butter.
Video credit: Youtube
In the simplest terms, butter is made by churning cream, which separates the butterfat from the buttermilk. To fully appreciate and enjoy butter, it's essential to store it properly and maintain its freshness. This not only preserves its flavour and texture but also ensures it remains safe to eat. Here are five tips to help keep your butter fresh:
Keep In Refrigerator
To keep your butter fresh, store it in the refrigerator. Ensure it's sealed tightly to prevent the absorption of other food odours. For convenient usage, keep a small portion in a butter dish at room temperature for spreading. Remember to replenish it as needed from the refrigerated stock. By maintaining a balance between refrigeration and room temperature, you'll always have fresh, versatile butter ready for various culinary endeavours.
No Direct Sunlight
Sunlight exposure can cause the butter to soften or even melt, leading to a compromised texture and flavour. Opt for opaque butter dishes or wrap the butter in parchment paper to shield it from light. When using butter, ensure to keep it at room temperature for easy spreading or incorporate it directly into recipes for rich flavour and moisture. By safeguarding your butter from sunlight, you'll ensure its quality and enjoy its creamy goodness to the fullest.
Aluminium Foil
After each use, tightly wrap the remaining butter in aluminium foil, ensuring it's completely sealed. This protective barrier guards against exposure to air and light, preventing the butter from spoiling or absorbing unwanted odours from the fridge. Moreover, aluminium foil helps retain the butter's moisture and flavour, ensuring each spread remains as rich and creamy as the first.
Airtight Container
Opt for glass or plastic containers with tight-sealing lids to prevent exposure to air and odours, preserving their creamy texture and flavour. Before storing, slice the butter into portions for convenient use. Keep the container in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness for longer periods. Additionally, consider using a butter dish for countertop storage and replacing the water frequently to create a seal.
Also read, 4 Clever Ways To Elevate Your Normal Butter
Utilise The Butter Paper
To keep your butter fresh, use butter paper as a simple yet effective solution. Wrap the butter securely in butter paper, ensuring it's completely covered and sealed to prevent exposure to air and odours. This protective layer maintains the butter's flavour and prevents it from absorbing unwanted smells from its surroundings. Additionally, when using butter paper to wrap butter, it also facilitates easy spreading and ensures a smooth texture.