Does Nutella Go Bad? How Long Does It Last?

by Editorial Staff | Updated on December 18th, 2022

Nutella is a spreadable hazelnut and chocolate mixture that most people love to eat. Nutella lovers are often seen sneaking spoonfuls of the spread as they go about their day.

But when it comes to the shelf life, there’s no standard answer for how long the Nutella will stay good for. So how long does it last? Are there any ways to know if your jar of Nutella has gone bad?

This article gives you all the answers and tips you need to keep your Nutella fresh and extend its shelf life.

What exactly is Nutella?

It’s no secret that Nutella is one of the world’s most popular foods. Chocolate’s blend of sweetness and creaminess makes it difficult to resist, especially when microwaving a Nutella. It is also simple and convenient to integrate into a wide range of dishes, including pancakes, pastries, desserts, and even beverages.

Nutella is a well-known hazelnut chocolate spread made by Ferrero, an Italian chocolate and confectionery business. The original recipe was created in Piedmont, Italy, in the 1940s. At the time, hazelnut was utilized to replace cacao, which was in short supply following World War II.

Nutella was first sold in 1964. This substance quickly spread throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Various nations now have different Nutella recipes. The spread is well-liked by the audience. So it’s no surprise that February 5th has been designated World Nutella Day since 2007.

Does Nutella Go Bad?

Nutella is a delectable nutty chocolate spread that adds sweetness and a fantastic chocolate-nutty taste to your snacks and entrees. Unfortunately, although the spread has a long shelf life, it might go rancid.

You’ll notice that its quality degrades the moment you open the jar, and after a while, you won’t receive that intense flavor of chocolate and almonds that you crave.

When your Nutella has lost its flavor and scent, it is no longer fresh enough to be savored. However, Nutella has become a popular food to keep in your pantry, and understanding how to store it properly can allow you to keep it for months.

How Long Does Nutella Last?

Nutella keeps for a long time if properly preserved. For example, an unopened jar of Nutella will keep for at least two months past the best-by date inscribed on the container. The good news is that Nutella can be stored much past its best-before date, even if it was previously opened.

So, if you keep your Nutella properly, you should be able to enjoy it for at least a year. In addition, the Nutella piping bags can be stored for up to six months after being opened.

Several factors influence how long your Nutella will keep fresh. Some of these elements are under your control, such as where you keep your Nutella. However, some variables are outside your control, such as how long your Nutella was on the shelf before purchasing it.

If you enjoy Nutella but only consume tiny amounts, purchasing small containers rather than large ones may be advisable.

You will prevent having stale, tasteless Nutella in your home by doing so. You may believe storing your Nutella in the fridge or freezer would extend its shelf life, but this is not the case. Keeping your Nutella in the fridge makes it difficult to use since it gets too hard to spread.

How long does Nutella last after it has been opened?

After opening the container, Nutella will keep it for a year. Therefore, it is best to consume the contents of the container no later than 1 to 2 months after the sell-by date.

Should Nutella Be Refrigerated?

Nutella should not be refrigerated since it will harden and become difficult to chew.

Yuck.

Furthermore, the components in Nutella allow it to be kept at room temperature and edible for extended periods.

It should not be kept cold because the hazelnut oil in Nutella hardens, making it difficult to spread and essentially unusable. It should be noted that the Nutella container label indicates “no requirement for refrigeration.”

How Long Does Nutella Stay Good In The Refrigerator?

If you unintentionally put Nutella in the fridge and it hardens, let it out for a few minutes, and it will soften again. However, even if Nutella is softened after being stored in the refrigerator, it will not last as long as it would if stored in the pantry.

Similarly, if Nutella is frozen, it will not last as long after thawing since the components have been changed, affecting the taste and texture.

Is it necessary to refrigerate Nutella once it has been opened?

No, an opened jar of Nutella does not need to be refrigerated. However, Nutella should be stored at room temperature. This is because it has a high-fat content due to palm oil, hazelnuts, and other components. These fats will solidify in the refrigerator, hardening the product and making it less spreadable.

If you have Nutella in the fridge, you should consume it immediately after taking it out.

Otherwise, it may deteriorate more quickly. To soften it, remove it from the refrigerator and place it at room temperature. However, this will take time.

Try scooping out the spread and placing it in a microwave-safe bowl for 15 seconds. Be cautious not to overheat the Nutella since it will separate the oil and become more liquid.

How to Tell If Your Nutella Is Bad

Nutella is a delicious treat on hand at any time of day, and people of all ages like it. But, unfortunately, it cannot go well even though it lasts a long time and can stay fresh for months.

You can avoid ruining a perfectly wonderful croissant or digestive biscuit by smearing rotten Nutella on it if you know how to detect if your Nutella has gone bad. There are four indicators that your Nutella has gone bad: the smell, look, taste, and texture of your Nutella.

Let’s take a closer look at the four suggestions:

But first, take a close look at your Nutella.

Nutella has a beautiful dark brown tint that appears creamy and chocolaty. If your Nutella has turned bland over time, eating it is usually not a good idea.

Furthermore, if your Nutella has any symptoms of mold or organic development, you should not consume it. Finally, if your Nutella has split and there is a film of oil on top of it, you should not consume more of it.

Finally, if you notice any bugs in your Nutella, stop eating it. If you detect any spots in your Nutella, discard them and replace them with some new Nutella that will make you happy.

Smell Your Nutella

Nutella has a characteristic fragrance that is reminiscent of chocolate and nuts. As a result, if you smell your Nutella, it is no longer fresh and has lost its delightful aroma. Furthermore, if you notice that your Nutella has an unpleasant odor, you should replace it with a new Nutella.

Is the texture of your Nutella different?

Nutella’s silky texture is ideal for spreading on toast and pastries. However, if your Nutella has gotten excessively hard or gritty, it is past its prime and should not be consumed. Similarly, if your Nutella has gotten too dry and is difficult to spread, it is advisable to avoid eating it.

Does it Taste The Same?

Nutella has a deep chocolate and nut flavor that is quite creamy. If you sample your Nutella and notice that it has lost its flavor, replacing it with a new Nutella is preferable. Furthermore, if you believe your Nutella has gotten extremely nasty in flavor, it is recommended not to consume more. You’re not going to appreciate it anyhow.

Is it okay to consume Nutella after it has passed its expiration date?

Nutella is likely safe to consume after the expiration date as long as it is not years after the listed date on the label and no weird look, disagreeable taste, or odor is noted. However, the quality may have degraded. The texture may not be as creamy and silky as when the jar was originally opened. Make sure you do the necessary safety checks!

Why is there oil in my Nutella jar?

The components in Nutella contain a significant amount of oil. This oil may separate on top of the spread after a while. This is natural and may occur in other common items containing a significant volume of oil; there is no reason to be concerned. To restore the proper consistency, give it a thorough stir.

What happens if you consume old Nutella?

Eating old Nutella will not make you sick unless the Nutella is ruined. Nutella has a best-by date rather than an expiry date. This date does not reflect the safety of the product. Instead, it tells you how long the goods will remain pristine.

If stored properly, an unopened jar of Nutella will keep for about a month after the stated date. If the Nutella has passed its best-by date, test it for several quality factors before eating. For example, it has gone bad if it smells rotten or develops mold, off-flavor, or off-color.

How To Store Nutella

People are so fond of Nutella that they have begun to make their own.

On the other hand, store-bought Nutella is excellent and lasts considerably longer than homemade Nutella.

How you store your Nutella significantly impacts how long you can enjoy your chocolate spread. Keeping Nutella in the refrigerator or freezer is not recommended since the cold temperatures make the spread difficult and cumbersome to use.

However, storing Nutella in your pantry is allowed if you store it in the proper location and container.

Choosing a Place in Your Pantry for Nutella

As previously said, your pantry is the ideal location for your Nutella. On the other hand, Nutella should be stored away from direct sunlight, so never leave it outside or on a ledge.

Furthermore, it will not last as long if your Nutella is exposed to heat factors such as your oven or stove.

High heat will cause your Nutella to split, separating the oils and making them unpalatable to ingest. As a result, keep your Nutella away from the oven or stove. The ideal location to keep your Nutella is in a cold pantry cabinet.

Selecting a Nutella Container

Nutella is packaged in a stylish jar that keeps it fresh for months. Therefore, it is perfectly safe to keep it in its original container. However, if the original container has been damaged or you choose not to use it, you should select an airtight container that is simple to seal.

Also, store your Nutella in a glass container since plastic containers might cause it to sweat in hot weather, exposing it to undesired moisture. If you wish to keep your Nutella in a separate container, ensure it is clean and dry.

Placing your Nutella in an unclean or moist container will expose it to bacterial infection, which can significantly reduce the quality and shelf life of your Nutella.

Is Nutella Freezable?

It is not recommended to freeze Nutella. The freezing temperatures will harden the oils in your Nutella, making it virtually impossible to spread. Furthermore, it will reduce the quality of your Nutella because the freezing and thawing procedure isn’t optimal for the spread’s fatty nature.

Even the chilly temps of your refrigerator aren’t optimal for your Nutella. It is recommended to keep your Nutella in the pantry, in a cool place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. To minimize moisture leaking and mold infection, store your Nutella in a glass container that can securely close.

Conclusion

Nutella can give your home-baked goods, candies, and breakfast a unique touch. For example, on a Sunday morning, treat your family to a delicious Nutella waffle, or have a jar at the workplace for a light, quick snack. In addition, you will never have to worry about whether your Nutella has gone bad if you know how to store it properly.

Editorial Staff

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