Can Nutella Go Bad?

Last Updated on April 10, 2022

Whether in crepes, cakes, brownies, or with your favorite snack food, you can’t go wrong with Nutella. This creamy spread has a wonderful chocolatey flavor. However, if you are a fan of it, you may wonder, can Nutella go bad?

Nutella is popular all throughout the world and is a favorite among many. It is great for use as a dip, spread, or even as an ingredient in desserts. You simply can’t go wrong with this sweet paste.

History Of Nutella

Nutella is a sweetened hazelnut cocoa spread that is produced by the Italian company Ferrero. The delicious product was first officially introduced in 1964.

The beginnings of Nutella go back to the 1940s. After WWII, cocoa became very scarce. Ferrero, who was originally from Piedmont, Italy found a solution to this problem. He made a sweet paste by combining hazelnuts, sugar, and a hint of cocoa.

The first recipe, which came out in 1946, was called Giandujot, which came in a loaf form that could be sliced and spread on bread. After that, the paste was transformed in 1951 into an easier-to-spread product. In 1964, the recipe was improved once again leading to the birth of Nutella.

The spread quickly gained popularity and soon became available all across the world. It is a fan favorite that can be enjoyed in many different ways. There is even a Nutella Cafe that offers a wide-spread menu of delicious Nutella items.

What Is It Made Of?

Nutella consists of hazelnuts, sugar, palm oil, cocoa, skimmed milk powder, soy lecithin, and vanillin. Though it is more natural than some other spreads, it is high in fat, calories, and sugar. However, you can still enjoy it in small quantities without having to worry.

How Long Does Nutella Last?

If you find a jar of Nutella in the back of your pantry you forgot about, you may wonder, does Nutella go bad? Well, this tasty, chocolatey spread does expire.

An unopened jar of Nutella can last for up to six months after the expiration date as long as it is properly stored. However, a jar that is already opened will not be as good for as long. Once you open it up, it will last for about 12 months with proper storage.

Though sugar and cocoa can help extend the life of foods, the addition of hazelnuts and milk limits how long it is good for. Due to this, other popular spreads may last longer than Nutella does. Once you open it, it will speed up the process of how quickly it will last.

Your open jar can last for one to two months after its exploration date. However, it may begin to lose some flavor at this point.

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How To Properly Store It

In order to keep your Nutella tasting delicious, it is important that you properly store it. You should store it in a cool, dry at room temperature, such as your pantry. Your pantry will be the ideal environment for storing your chocolate-hazelnut spread.

Avoid storing it in direct sunlight or a warm, humid environment. Nutella can melt if it gets too warm which can cause the oil to separate. This can then lead it to have an undesirable taste and texture that you will want to avoid.

You should avoid keeping your Nutella in the fridge. Keeping it in the fridge will mess up the texture. It will become hard and unusable.

For the same reasons, you do not want to freeze Nutella. It does not freeze well as it will mess up the texture. It is always best to store it at room temperature in your pantry.

After using it, be sure to tightly close the lid to keep moisture out. In addition, make sure to only use clean, dry utensils when scooping it out of the jar. Be sure to also store it upright to make sure it maintains its delicious, creamy consistency.

Over time, you may notice that some of the oil separates from the spread. This is normal when it happens in small amounts. To fix this, simply use a spoon or knife to stir it together to reincorporate the oil into the spread.

How To Tell If It Has Gone Bad

If you notice an off-smell or taste in your Nutella, is best to just disregard it. In addition, if you notice any mold in the jar, you will want to throw it out right away.

Since it contains a lot of oil, it may develop a rancid smell when it goes bad. If you notice this, be sure to throw it out as you don’t want to risk getting sick. In addition, if you notice a bitter taste, you will want to get rid of it.

Another indicator of whether it is still good or not is the consistency. When it is good, it will have a creamy, paste-like texture that is spreadable. If it becomes hard or dry, your Nutella is no longer good so you will want to get rid of it.

Knowing when can Nutella go bad

If you were questioning whether or not does Nutella expires, it in fact does. If your jar is not yet open, it can last for up to six months past the expiration date if it has been properly stored. Once open, you will want to use your chocolate-hazelnut spread within a year.

Your jar of Nutella may last for up to one to two months after the expiration date once it is opened. Be sure to store it in a cool, dry area such as your pantry. Be sure to keep your Nutella away from heat and humidity, as this can lead to it separating.

If you notice a rancid smell or bitter taste, it is time to toss it out. In addition, you will want to throw it out if it is dry, hard, or has any mold.

Do you have any questions regarding can Nutella go bad? If so, please ask any questions regarding the storage expectancy of this popular and delicious chocolate-hazelnut spread.