The love for cow ghee in Indian households is not something that can be described in any trivial terms. It has been consumed without perhaps a break for hundreds if not thousands of years. It remains very much a part of the diet in today’s staple foods in most areas of the subcontinent, despite having been in use for over five thousand years. But, for many of us, living here in the west, we are really just now becoming acquainted with cow ghee.
Whether you are a Hitkram Ghee fan and may be wondering where to store it in your kitchen or are a customer who still wants to buy in bulk for future use at your home, we have some tips to ensure that your rendered butter remains fresh and tasty as the day it was made!
Why to Incorporate Cow Ghee In Your Daily Diet?
There are many specific and fundamental factors that render ghee a long-standing staple in Indian food. Account for the increasing trend that has picked up in the last few decades in other parts of the world as well. Both Cow Ghee or Buffalo Ghee have great taste, suitable high heat, long shelf-life, and nutrition facts connected with ghee—so simple to adore rendered butter!
Many of the qualities that we associate with rendered butter are actually derived from the process of extracting cow ghee from butter. When butter is heated, the milk solids—proteins and sugars—coagulate and are spatulated out, as well as water. It is an easily spreadable, pale golden, delicate nutty/sweet, slow-rancidifying, heat-stable liquid that can be used with breads, blending into smoothies, cooked into baked treats, and sautéing with vegetables and meats. There are virtually as many uses as there are stars in the sky!
How To Store Cow Ghee To Get The Best Out Of It?
The best ways to store rendered butter are given below:
1. Kitchen Cabinet
An individually wrapped and unopened jar of Cow ghee can be stored in a kitchen cabinet at room temperature, and it has a shelf life of nine months. Room-temp rendered butter will remain usable and fresh for about six months. It is also important to understand that this requires ghee to be on a shelf; it is possible to stock it for such a long time.
It is necessary to keep it in the dark and to avoid placing it in a hot or humid environment. Indeed, humidity poses a really big threat here, and water makes the it turn rancid very fast; this means that the jar should not be exposed to moisture.
2. Refrigerator
If you have the jar opened, it is good to be stored in a refrigerator where it will be good for a year! Once again, provided you can prevent the ingress of moisture into the basin. The only thing we have here is that refrigerated Cow ghee becomes a solid and, as a result, is a bit difficult to use. But if you really do want to store it in the fridge and do not want to spend hours chipping away a block of ghee every time you use it, you will just have to remember to let it soften a bit on the countertop for at least two hours.
3. Freezer
Ghee can also be frozen, and it will last for about a year, if not more than a year. Our suggestion is to portion it in smaller quantities, preferably for a month’s supply, and double-wrap it to avoid cases of freezer burn. By the way, don’t forget to properly label and date those containers you use as well!
4. Big-Small Container
A cow ghee jar can also be opened and closed severally, making it more readily affected by moisture that would otherwise spoil it. The best solution to this problem is to afford two containers exclusive to ghee. When it has cooled, put it in a large jar, preferably a bell jar, and leave it in a cool place.
If needed, scoop out part of it, and you have your small scoop in a small tupperware, which could be your daily use tupperware. You can fill this small jar from time to time, and it also prevents the it from going rancid.
5. Material of Jars
Plastic, or steel, or silicone, or glass? What is the type of jar material that increases the shelf life of cow ghee to the highest level possible? For one, each material could be used for a different storage type since it all boils down to how you want it to store. If you wish to spread it on the freezer level, then you have to search for ‘freezer-safe’ plastic containers that can tolerate low temperatures. While glass containers are ideal for bulk stocks, a steel container is perfect for small quantities that are used routinely.
How Long Does Ghee Last?
Bulk ghee acquired from stores in jars with lids will have the date on the glass jar and can be stored in the pantry for a year or two. If handled and stored properly, cow ghee stored in containers that are unopened should be consumed within the next few months of the expiry date. Either the pantry or the refrigerated rendered butter should be used within six months after opening the jar.
Conclusion
Storing cow ghee properly can make all the difference in preserving its taste, aroma, and nutritional benefits. Whether you choose to keep it in a pantry, fridge, or freezer, following these storage tips will ensure it stays fresh and ready for use. Remember, the type of container and placement away from humidity and heat are key factors in keeping rendered butter delicious and stable over time.
If you’re a fan of high-quality, authentic ghee, consider trying Hitkram’s range. With pure Cow and Buffalo Ghee options crafted with care, Hitkram brings traditional richness right to your kitchen. Visit Hitkram today to order cow ghee or buffalo ghee that’s sure to add the finest taste to your meals.
