If you are not familiar with Nutella, it is one of the options as an addition to toast first thing in the morning. It’s delectable, creamy, and filled to overflowing with hazelnuts. Truth be told, some folks just eat it off a spoon!
The first jar of Nutella spread appeared in 1964. At first, it was an “austerity recipe” after WWII created a chocolate shortage. (*) (*) As you might guess, Nutella’s popularity grew very rapidly. You can now find it on nearly any supermarket shelf.
Now if you’re not a big breakfast person, or prone to using much spread on your bread, you may wonder if a jar is going to sit in your pantry way beyond its “use by” date.
Does Nutella Go Bad?
Great question!
Jars of this product have a best-by date on the label. Remember, however, that “best before” dates, “sell-by date,” and “expiration dates” focus on the quality of the product rather than spoilage. (*)
Hint: the key to quality in storage.
A Nutella jar has a long shelf life at room temperature, in a cool dry place, before it will go bad, especially if you place it away from the jars carefully.
Nonetheless, the spread can go bad over time, particularly if it’s not stored properly. We’ll be giving you tips on how to make it last as long as possible.
How To Tell If Nutella Is Bad?
Because of Nutella’s longevity, you might just forget you have it in the pantry.
Upon discovery, it’s common to wonder how long does the spread last, tightly closed? What is the expected shelf life?
The sell-by date or best by date aren’t always the best measure. If the jar is sealed and has been kept at room temperature, passing those dates doesn’t mean you have bad Nutella.
Here are some signs
- Rancid taste. This may not be unsafe, but it certainly isn’t enjoyable.
- Off-putting smell: When you first open a jar of Nutella, it has the aroma best described as chocolate sugar cookies. One sniff and the oil in Nutella spread makes it smell nasty (*)
- Obvious mold.
- Separation or hardening: Over time, Nutella’s texture changes. At first, the oils may separate and later the bend hardens. It may be safe to eat, but the lovely flavor and consistency are gone.
Next, let’s talk about how long is Nutella good for.
How Long Does Nutella Last?
The answer to that question begins with proper storage.
Here are the basics:
- Keep it cool
- Find a dry location for storage
- Avoid leaving it in sunlight
- Maintain a consistent temperature
- Place away from heat
Nutella’s “happy” temperature is about 68%.(*)
does nutella need to be refrigerated?
You do not have to refrigerate Nutella, per the label’s instruction. It can make it difficult to spread. (*) The fat content and oil from the Hazelnuts solidify in the refrigerator, so keep it out.
Wait! Don’t worry about keeping it at room temperature.
Our research shows that the sugar in Nutella helps prevent the growth of microorganisms.
In other words, refrigerating Nutella does nothing to extend its shelf life, and can damage its quality.
If someone puts it in the fridge accidentally, give it a short warm-up in the microwave, or just let it sit on the countertop for a while.
Should you Freeze Nutella?
No. When you freeze Nutella, the solids and milk proteins will separate upon thawing. It is nearly impossible to “fix” the texture afterward.
Food Hygiene
Always use a clean spoon or knife when gathering the spread. Good hygiene will prolong the quality of Nutella. (*) We suggest checking the jar at around 6 months. Throw out your Nutella if it has been open longer than 12 months, even with a lid tightly sealed.
The product won’t go bad for up to 2 years, and it won’t lose its creamy texture or freshness.
Nutella’s Shelf Life and Spoilage Summary
- Yes, nutella does go bad. The expiration date on the jar is typically between 6-12 months and it should be kept in a cool, dry place after opening.
- If the nutella is bad, It will see a thick consistency and look very different from when you first opened it. The smell should also be off and there could be mold or clumps in the jar.
- No one wants to consume bad Nutella. If you want to extend the shelf life, after opening, nutella should be stored in a cool, dry place. It should always be tightly sealed so that no air or moisture can enter the jar. Additionally, it should not be exposed to too much heat or sunlight. So doing preserves the original flavors and textures.
Can’t get enough Nutella? Celebrate your craving on World Nutella Day, February 5th.(*)
FAQs
Interesting Facts about Nutella:
Nutella contains chocolate powder, palm or coconut oil, skimmed milk powder, sugar, and (of course) roasted hazelnuts. Of the blend, about 70% is hazelnut and only 30% is chocolate. (*)
On average, there are about 50 Hazelnuts in a jar of Nutella. It’s no wonder the company uses one-quarter of the world’s hazelnut supply!
There are no artificial colors or preservatives in this food product. So knowing how to store Nutella properly is important for its longevity. (*)
How Popular is Nutella?
Every 2.5 seconds another jar of Nutella flies off the supermarket shelf. This means you could lavish the Great Wall of China with the amount of Nutella sold in one year. (*)
Is it true that Nutella originally came in loaf form?
Yes, it’s not an urban myth! The loaf design made storage easy in a kitchen cabinet, and you could slice it like soft, creamy cheese. (*)
How to Pronounce it?
Get this!
Turns out the way the word Nutella looks and how it sounds are two different things. There’s no “nut” about it!
Instead, it’s pronounced ‘new-tell-uh.’ (*)
Mind you, if you mispronounce Nutella, people are still going to know what you mean.
Is there a difference between American and European Nutella?
Yes. In the United States, the spread uses palm oil. In Europe, the bland calls for whey powder, fat-reduced cocoa powder, and vegetable oil. (*)
What Does Nutella Taste Like?
Nutella is a blissfully simple product. The taste of hazelnut is unmistakable.
The creaminess and sugar add another level of fantastic flavor. Once you try it, you’ll probably eat the whole jar long before you have to worry that the Nutella has gone bad.
Other than having Nutella on bread, how else can I use it?
There are numerous ways to use up a jar of Nutella in food. You can:
- Warm it for ice cream
- Add it to baked goods
- Make hot cocoa
- Use it for Mole (*)
- And even age steak with it (yes, really!). (*)
Can I make it at home?
Yes, you can create something like Nutella at home, and it’s pretty easy!
We think some recipes are those containing only two ingredients: Hazelnuts and chocolate chips. It has a very similar taste and shelf life.
In this case, your culinary smarts answer the question of how long does Nutella last by making what you want, when you need it. Store
Is Nutella bad for you?
- It depends on how you look at it. A Tablespoon of Nutella contains 100 calories of sugar. So, it’s not great if you are on a low-sugar diet.
- On the other hand, there are some nutrition benefits including:
- 20 grams of protein (per jar). (*)
- 2-Tbs has 4 percent RDI fiber, which helps moderate cholesterol, as well as 4 percent iron and calcium. (*)
Up Next: Your Common Food Ingredient’s Shelf Life – A Comprehensive Guide By Groups
