Preserving the taste and benefits: how to store ghee at home?
Traditional ghee and ghee are similar products consisting of natural ingredients.
A standard ghee product cooks much faster, since creating ghee according to the classic recipe requires many hours of simmering on the stove.
Both options are healthy and nutritious and are widely used in cooking. Ghee must be stored under all conditions.
Content
What it is?
Ghee is a product whose preparation has its own nuances, characteristic of certain regions and cultures. It can be produced both in factories and at home.
Normal
The most popular option is classic. The result is obtained by melting butter over low heat..
After the product has become liquid and acquired its characteristic smell and golden color, it is ready.
It is removed from the stove and cooled. Application - mainly in cooking.
Ghee
This option is also ghee, but with some differences in technology. This product takes longer to prepare.
Prolonged calcination on the stove allows all moisture to be removed. All that remains is milk fat. Ghee stores quite well.
Creamy
The product is obtained by heating butter on a stove to achieve melting.. After cooling, it will have a different taste and aroma.
Shelf life
The most favorable conditions for keeping the product are to place it in a cool place in a hermetically sealed container.
For storage, a container made of:
- plastic,
- ceramics,
- glass or stainless steel.
The length of the shelf life depends on the conditions in which the container will be located and on its tightness.
Before opening the package
If ghee is bought in a store in sealed packaging, then store it possible for the entire time specified by the manufacturer.
The location of the ghee reserves should be in the refrigerator.
For a sealed plastic or metal container, the duration of storage can be up to 2 months on the refrigerator shelf, at temperatures up to +5°C, or 4 months in the freezer.
After
If the jar for the melted product is selected with a removable lid (ceramic, plastic or glass), then shelf life on the refrigerator shelf is 30 days.
In the freezer at a temperature of -14 to -18°C – 90 days. It is not recommended to store butter without a lid.
Which is correct?
Basic conditions for proper preservation melted butter are:
- The humidity level should not be more than 90%.;
- air temperature – up to +5°С;
- contents under cover;
- no contact with products that have a strong aroma;
- use of containers made of materials inert to the product.
If stored incorrectly, the product will begin to deteriorate very quickly.
Selection of capacity
When choosing which container the product will be stored in, There are a number of factors to consider:
- the material of the container must be neutral in relation to the contents;
- the presence of a lid is a prerequisite;
- the size should be convenient for use.
Where to keep it?
Ghee is a perishable product, so the requirements for the conditions of its maintenance are quite stringent.
Is it possible without a refrigerator?
Ghee should not be stored at room temperature. After cooking, when the product has cooled, it should be immediately transferred to the refrigerator.
If for a number of reasons you need to store products outside the refrigerator, then this is possible, but with limitations:
- It is better to use ceramics or glass as containers.
- Do not close the container tightly with a lid - just cover the top with gauze or parchment.
- Find a place that will be protected from direct sunlight.
- Place vessels away from heating devices.
Grilled products should not be kept without a refrigerator for longer than 4 days, but it is better to immediately place them in the refrigerator or use them in cooking rather than keeping them in unsuitable conditions.
In the cold
For ghee the most suitable place for storage is the refrigerator. It maintains stable temperature and humidity, and is protected from light. You can store the packaging both on the shelf and in the vegetable compartment.
Oil should not be stored in a container without a lid, as it tends to absorb foreign odors.
In the freezer
In cases where the oil needs to be preserved for several months, freezing can be used.For freezing, it is important to choose a convenient and functional container that will allow the preparations to be made in separate portions. This is very important, as it will make it possible not to defrost more oil than is needed for one preparation.
Features for Ghee
Ghee is a ghee traditionally used in South Asian cuisine.. Once all the liquid is removed from the oil, its shelf life increases.
The basic requirements for storing this particular type of ghee differ little from how to store the classic version of the product.
Ghee is stored better and longer due to the fact that it is evaporated more thoroughly according to technology. Glass jars are most often used for it. It is advisable to leave the product in them even after opening the package. Despite the fact that oil can withstand fairly high air temperatures, it is better not to experiment with this and store supplies in the refrigerator.
When reheating, additional components, for example, herbs, can be introduced into ghee. But it is necessary to take into account that new ingredients in the composition significantly reduce the shelf life. If storage is to be ensured for several months, ghee can be frozen.
6 signs of damage
If ghee is stored incorrectly or kept longer than recommended by the manufacturer, signs of spoilage may appear.
The product should not be used, which even has one warning sign:
- Overdue.
- The appearance of sediment, separation and other changes in consistency.
- Unpleasant musty smell.
- The appearance of mold.
- Bitter taste.
- Change in color to an uncharacteristic one.
If the product is purchased in a retail chain, it is necessary to check the expiration date. You also need to inspect the packaging. If the container has defects, it is better to refuse the purchase.
Conclusion
Ghee, including ghee, can be stored for a long time if properly stored. If all conditions are met, the product retains its properties and continues to have the same creamy aroma and nutty flavor.
