One of the great things about cocoa butter is that it has a relatively long shelf life.
Most often, you can expect cocoa butter to last for 12-24 months before it starts to expire.
That said, there are a few things that can affect the shelf life of cocoa butter, such as storage conditions and how the cocoa butter was processed.
Let's take a closer look at why cocoa butter lasts so long, and what you can do to extend its shelf life even further.
Why Cocoa Butter Lasts So Long
Cocoa butter is made from the fat of the cocoa bean. This means that it is high in saturated fats, which are slow to oxidize and go bad.
In addition, cocoa butter contains natural antioxidants that further slow the process of rancidity.
For these reasons, cocoa butter is classified as a "dry oil," meaning it takes longer to go bad than other oils.
How to Extend the Shelf Life of Cocoa Butter
While cocoa butter has a naturally long shelf life, there are a few things you can do to make sure it lasts even longer.
First, always store cocoa butter in a cool, dark place. Heat and light will cause the fats in the cocoa butter to oxidize more quickly, which will make it go bad faster.
Second, if you're not going to use all of the cocoa butter at once, consider storing it in the fridge or freezer. This will further extend its shelf life by preventing bacteria from growing on the surface of the product.
Cocoa Butter: Use It Before You Lose It!
Overall, cocoa butter is a pretty stable product with a long shelf life.
However, there are a few things you can do to make sure your bottle of cocoa butter lasts as long as possible.
Store it in a cool, dark place and consider keeping it in the fridge or freezer if you're not using it all at once. By following these tips, you can extend the shelf life of your cocoa butter and use it before it expires!
