An unexpected product to keep in the refrigerator has been named

There are many foods that have been the subject of debate for many years over whether they should be stored in the refrigerator or not.

However, one of them, which everyone usually keeps in the kitchen cupboard, is precisely the one that should be stored in the refrigerator. In fact, this advice often surprises people who have kept it in a convenient place for years. We are talking about peanut butter, OBOZ.UA writes.

This is because at room temperature, natural oils from butter separate and can become rancid over time.

The smell will be particularly distinct – a mixture of metallic, bitter, and musty notes, almost like old cooking oil, with a pungent or unpleasant flavor that is clearly not like fresh peanuts.

If you still want to eat a peanut butter sandwich and the smell hasn't scared you away, eating spoiled food can have terrible health consequences. You may experience an upset stomach, diarrhea, or vomiting, all signs of mild food poisoning, although due to its high-fat content, the spread will usually not have such extreme consequences.

Not only can peanut butter go rancid before you know it, but all nut butters should be stored in the refrigerator, so whether you like almond butter better or want to grab a jar of hazelnut butter, it should all be kept cold.

Natural, unprocessed nut butters are the most at risk of spoilage because the ingredients are mostly made up of nuts alone, once the oil separates, it's only a matter of time before it stops working.

Usually, these products should be consumed a few weeks after opening the jar, but it is recommended to always check the expiration date.

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