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07-02-2009 at 10:45 AM
EricsCinde...
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EricsCinderella is not online. Last active: 07-24-2009, 10:39 AMNewbie

Need help with natural peanut butter

Hi ladies,

I've never posted on this board before, but I'm hoping this is the right place to come with this question. 

I recently began using natural peanut butter.  This is the kind that separates, and the oil rises to the top.  You're supposed to stir it up, then store refrigerated.  I've noticed that after I stir, the PB stays pretty moist for a few days, but then will start to harden/thicken so that it becomes difficult to spread right out of the jar.  At first I attributed this to sub-par quality of a store brand PB, but I've tried Smucker's with the same result.  Am I doing something wrong or is there any way to prevent this from happening?  I really like the idea of the natural stuff, but I'm not a fan of it shredding my bread.

I am using crunchy PB; DH has creamy which is better but still shows similar thickening tendencies.

TIA!!


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07-02-2009 at 10:47 AM
swanbride2...
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I usually just microwave it for 20 to 30 seconds and it softens right up.

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07-02-2009 at 10:48 AM
taraandkyl...
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confession: i don't refrigerate my natural peanut butter.  we grind our own at Whole Foods but i can't say if it would or would not harden in the fridge b/c i keep it in the cabinet.
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07-02-2009 at 10:49 AM
GRKaters
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We use Krema brand natural PB and only the stuff at the very bottom is thick/dry. Maybe if you stir it with a knife, getting down to the very bottom right away when you open it, and stir all that up? I don't ever refrigerate it. 

 
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07-02-2009 at 10:52 AM
valeivegas
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I've tried several brands and I think the Smuckers one is the best - my other ones all dried out too.  Just make sure to really stir to get through all the pb...
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07-02-2009 at 10:54 AM
mattsgal06
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When I open the jar of PB, I stir it up with a knife to get the oils as evenly distributed as possible and then store the jar upside down in the fridge...I read this tip online once, and it isn't perfect, but it's definitely better than before.
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07-02-2009 at 10:55 AM
CityGirl07
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I had this exact problem this morning! And at the beginning, it's hard to stir all the oil to the bottom without it making a big mess. They should leave more room at the top!

I often just don't refrigerate. I don't know if that's bad or not, but it sounds pretty common.
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07-02-2009 at 11:18 AM
mulan922
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The label on the jar states to refrigerate to lessen the oil separation, but I store it in my pantry. I find it easier to mix that way. I use a knife each time, to mix it up again.


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07-02-2009 at 11:21 AM
knj92107
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It's not really "dry."  It's just cold and stiff from being in the fridge.  Just microwave it for like 15-30 seconds and it will go back to the soft, creamy consistency.

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07-02-2009 at 11:44 AM
TPOX
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knj92107:
It's not really "dry."  It's just cold and stiff from being in the fridge.  Just microwave it for like 15-30 seconds and it will go back to the soft, creamy consistency.

 

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07-02-2009 at 12:59 PM
EricsCinde...
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EricsCinderella is not online. Last active: 07-24-2009, 10:39 AMNewbie
Thanks, everyone!  I'll dry super-stirring, storing upside down, and reheating, if necessary.  Worst case, it's getting stored in the cupboard since that seems to be safe.

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