Nut butter is a spread made from ground nuts, packed with nutrients and available in smooth or chunky varieties. It can be bought in stores or made at home, but should be refrigerated and used within a few months. Separation can occur, but can be fixed by inverting the jar. Nut butter can be used in a variety of ways, but is richer than peanut butter.
Nut butter is a spread made from ground nuts. Depending on the preparation method used, nut butter can be smooth and creamy or chunky, and is packed with all the nutrients common to nuts, including copper, essential fatty acids, and manganese. There are several ways to use nut butters, depending on personal tastes. Many health food stores carry this nut butter, and you can find it in some major markets as well. For people with strong blenders, nut butters can be made at home.
Like other nut butters, nut butters are made by grinding nuts, causing them to release their oil and slowly melt into a very thick paste. In some cases, additional oil may be added to lubricate the nuts as they are ground, especially if the grinder is a bit weak, to ensure that the grinder motor does not become deformed. After grinding, the paste has a creamy texture, explaining the “butter” in the name.
Nut butter is a perishable food. Grinding exposes the oils to oxidation, increasing the rate at which the nuts will go rancid. As a general rule, homemade nut butters should be refrigerated and used within a few months. Store-sealed nut butters can be stored at room temperature, but once the seal is broken, it needs to go into the refrigerator. If the nut butter has a peculiar smell or taste, it is a sign that it has gone bad and should be discarded.
A common problem with nut butters is separation, where the solids sink to the bottom and the fat rises to the top. One way to fix this is to simply invert the jar for storage and turn the jar right side up about an hour before using, allowing the ingredients to mix as the oil attempts to float to the top. Nut butter can also be mixed with a knife or spoon to replenish the ingredients.
Nut butters can be used the same way cooks would use peanut and other nut butters. It can be spread on sandwiches and crackers, mixed into cookie doughs, used as a layer in nut cakes, and included in various rich sauces. Nut butter can be slightly bitter, depending on the nuts used to make it, and it tends to be extremely rich, more so than peanut butter, which is something to keep in mind.
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