Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: thedoc on 16/09/2015 22:50:02
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Alan asked the Naked Scientists:
Why is butter kept in the fridge but peanut butter does not need to be?
I can't make all your radio answers so I would like a reply via my email please.
Many thanx
Alan
What do you think?
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I think a big part of the answer is that peanut butter has a very low water content and that stops most bacteria.
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Proper (not "lite") butter has a fairly indefinite life at room temperature but melts in summer. Not a problem if you use it primarily for cooking (especially ghee, which has a very low water content) but unpalatable as a spread on bread. Even soldiers complain about mass-catering sandwiches made with brushed-on melted butter: it soaks through the bread and makes the sarnie sticky on the outside.