Cocoa Butter is a great substance with wondrous uses. There are many uses for cocoa butter, but one thing that can be tricky is how to store cocoa butter. The proper way to store cocoa butter will ensure its longevity and ensure that you can get the most out of it.
How to store cocoa butter? Store cocoa butter at normal room temperatures of approximately 75°F. Do not store cocoa butter in unrefrigerated kitchens or over appliances that give off heat. Exposure to high temperatures can soften cocoa butter, making it difficult to control the consistency.
Cocoa butter’s very nature is to harden, so storing it the right way is important. This plant-based butter can solidify in temperatures below 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Below 40 degrees, it turns into a milky liquid. Temperatures above 86 degrees will keep your cocoa butter fluid at just the right temperature.
Cocoa butter is a thick, fat substance that comes from the cocoa tree. It contains a high level of saturated fats and has a light chocolate smell and taste. This substance is used in a lot of different things to help people treat burn injuries, acne, stretch marks, and even eczema, to name a few uses. You can also use it to improve the quality of your food or as a good moisturizer for your skin.
How to store cocoa butter – The latest trick
Cocoa butter can be stored at room temperature for up to one year or under refrigeration for up to two years. It is best stored in an airtight container such as a clean glass jar. If stored in a warm area, cocoa butter will begin to liquefy, and the texture will become less desirable. You may wish to place your cocoa butter in the refrigerator if you plan on storing it for more than two weeks.
1. Less than two months of storage
For short-term storage, it is acceptable to place the cocoa butter in the cupboard. Ideally, the cupboard should be 65 degrees or cooler. It should be protected from heat and air conditioning, which can cause the cocoa butter to become brittle and lose its natural scent. It will remain hard at room temperature. Therefore it is best to store it in a cool place away from sunlight.
Short-term storage of cocoa butter will not affect the product’s high quality. Provided that temperature and humidity conditions are appropriate, it can be stored at room temperature for an unlimited period. However, if the temperature is very low or very high, it may start to liquefy. Also, if the air is excessively humid or dry, the product may lose its texture.
2. Less than a year of storage
For mid-term storage, find a cool dark place to store your cocoa butter. If storing in an area that does get warm, keep it in its original packaging or transfer it to a jar. It should be kept away from heat and sunlight, especially if it is in its solid state. This will help prolong its shelf life.
To prevent cocoa butter from going rancid, it should be stored in a cool and dry place, preferably a dry room ambient temperature between 15-30C.
3. One year and above storage
In order to achieve the best long-term storage, a darker, cool, and dry environment is preferred for cocoa butter. Cocoa butter can be a bit anxious in a hot or moist environment and will tend to soften at a much faster rate. An ideal storage temperature is between 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Its color makes UV rays from sunlight a concern, so it is advisable to store cocoa butter in opaque containers or tinted tubs, which will keep it free from exposure to light. There is no need to worry about its moisture content in countries where the relative humidity is low.
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How to melt cocoa butter on the stove
Cocoa butter is widely used in cosmetic recipes. When cocoa butter is melted on the stove, it loses any odor it once had.
To melt cocoa butter on the stove, place your pot of melted cocoa butter in another pot of already boiling water. This way, your pot won’t heat above 120°F. Or put chunks of it into a small pot and turn the heat on low. The only things that should be in the pot are cocoa butter and one or two spoonfuls of water, as it will help the cocoa butter melt more quickly.
You can also melt the cocoa butter in the microwave by placing the cocoa butter in a microwave-safe bowl and placing it in the microwave at ten-second intervals for twenty to thirty minutes. Another method to melt the cocoa butter is to place it in an oven at a 250°F temperature.
Cocoa Butter Shelf Life
The shelf life of Cocoa Butter depends on various factors, such as the product’s freshness, the storage method and conditions, and the method of storage.
The shelf life of Cocoa Butter is at least 12 – 24 months or longer if stored in a freezer. Cocoa Butter is solid at room temperature, but the cocoa butter will become liquid if the temperature exceeds 86 degrees F ( 30 C ). Be sure to keep it below 86 degrees when storing it.
However, the shelf life of natural cocoa butter depends not only on the type but also often on how it has been processed. Unrefined cocoa butter has a longer shelf life than refined cocoa butter, which is frequently used in cosmetics.
Cocoa butter does not expire. However, it may become more difficult for you to use as it thickens over time, but it will still keep its natural beauty and fragrance.
Also, It’s important to note that the temperature of your product will affect how quickly the cocoa butter melts and softens. So if you want to make sure your customers get their most luxurious experience possible with your product, we recommend keeping your cocoa butter out at room temperature until just before they’re ready to use it.
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Uses of cocoa butter
Cocoa butter has a variety of uses because it is edible, safe, and derived from cocoa beans. This versatile fat is one of the oldest oils used in beauty products. Believe it or not, chocolate makers used to combine cocoa butter with milk to make an edible form of soap and can also be mix with colors to make colored cocoa butter. Here are some of the most common uses for cocoa butter today.
Skin
Cocoa Butter can be used for ear wax treatments, dry skin patches, cracked heels, chickenpox scars, stretch marks, ringworm infections, and eczema. Numerous studies have indicated that cocoa butter has healing properties that will protect the skin from ultraviolet rays. Antioxidants improve the overall health of the skin.
Lips
Cocoa butter can be used to heal dark spots, and rough cracks on lips due to dryness; it is known for its use in lip balms and lotions. It has emollient properties which help to prevent moisture loss in the skin. Additionally, it is highly regarded as an effective way to reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks, and fine lines caused by aging.
Hair
Cocoa butter makes hair grow on the scalp and becomes thick and healthy. The vitamins which are present in it nourish hair and make it gloss and soft. You can use this oil on natural or artificial hairs if it is thin and weak; it will help you grow healthy and strong hairs.
Additionally, it is an excellent moisturizer for both dry and oily hair. It can be used to help control dandruff and restore moisture to dull, lifeless hair.
Chocolate
Cocoa butter is a pale-yellow, high-grade vegetable fat extracted from the cocoa bean. It has balanced physical properties, including a melting temperature of 34 °C (93.2 °F), a specific gravity of 0.916, and a saponification number of 0% to 0.07%. The composition of cocoa butter consists of saturated fats 50% to 58%, monounsaturated fats 33% to 38%, and polyunsaturated fats 9% to 10%.
Cocoa butter is used for chocolate and primarily for coating chocolate pieces to prevent them from adhering to one another.
Pharmaceuticals/Ointments
Cocoa butter has various pharmaceutical applications, including external use as a base for ointments and topical creams and an active ingredient in some prescription items.
Cocoa butter is used to prevent scars, including stretch marks, which are especially prone to keloid formation. It may also be used to treat frostbite or sunburn or to reduce discomfort from rashes, itching, and dry skin conditions, such as eczema.
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How to Tell If Cocoa Butter Has Gone Bad
Cocoa butter, like other fats, will go rancid by absorbing oxygen and releasing free radicals. When cocoa butter goes bad, it smells sour, and the texture is waxy.
To tell if cocoa butter has gone bad:
- Look at it closely and smell it. If the cocoa butter is sticky, there is a bad odor, and the texture is waxy, throw it away.
- If it looks good, use more caution when using it.
- Keep the cocoa butter in a cool, dry place.
Meanwhile, if you are still unsure whether your cocoa butter has gone bad or not, here’s how to tell: cut off a small piece from your cocoa butter with a sharp cutting tool, for example, a pair of scissors or a razor blade.
The smell will be very strong if it’s rancid, like a fart. But if the smell is tiny and mild, there’s no problem with your product.
How to Keep Cocoa Butter from Hardening
There are many ways to keep cocoa butter from hardening when it is at its melted state. You first need to know that the hardening procedure can occur naturally and be caused by heat and long-time exposure. Here are some tips on how you can keep the cocoa butter from hardening:
To keep your cocoa butter from hardening, scoop out what you need and place it in a bowl or jar. Place the container in warm water, which will keep the cocoa butter soft and ready for use.
Also, place it in an oven that has been set to 220º F 3-5 minutes. You can also place it in the microwave for anywhere from 10-30 seconds, depending on how much you have and the power level of your microwave. It will be fairly soft when removed from either method.
I recommend that you melt your cocoa butter on the stove, but if you are using a microwave or double boiler to melt your cocoa butter, make sure that neither method doesn’t allow water to contact your butter. If there is water in the bowl or pan while you are melting it, it will need to be dried and allowed to cool before adding everything else.
How long does shea butter last
The shelf life of shea butter depends on the processing and packaging. If it is pure, unrefined, and non-deodorized, it should last for years unprotected but in a sealed container for up to 6 years.
It also varies based on the fragrance and other ingredients that it may contain and the storage temperature. The best way to store shea butter is to store it in a cool, dark place. If stored at room temperature, shea butter will last from 1-3 years. If stored in a refrigerator or a freezer can last from 2-8 years.
The shelf life of shea butter is greatly impacted by temperature and humidity. It is recommended to store the shea butter in a cool, dry place such as a refrigerator.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I store cocoa butter in the fridge?
You can store your cocoa butter in the fridge if it is extra virgin. Do not do so if it is flavored or contains additives or preservatives. It will affect the texture of the product in the fridge because it becomes harder when refrigerated.
Does cocoa butter spoil?
No. It doesn’t. As long as it is stored in a cool, dark, and dry place, cocoa butter will not go rancid or spoil. In fact, cocoa butter has a shelf life of two to five years.
How long is cocoa butter good?
Cocoa butter is a hard fat. It is not perishable and will keep for an extremely long time without refrigeration. It can be stored at room temperature for several years or even decades.
How do you store tempered cocoa butter?
Tempered cocoa butter has a higher melting temperature than natural. That’s why it is so hard. Storage conditions can affect the viscosity – that is, how thick or thin it is. Tempered cocoa butter that has not been used for several months may be slightly dry and stiff. If this happens, melt the cocoa butter gently over low heat, then store it at room temperature in an airtight container.
Why cocoa butter is bad for you?
The only enemy of cocoa butter is frying. Cocoa butter is good for you; it’ll give your skin that smoothness that can’t be achieved by anything else. However, if you’re frying anything with cocoa butter, be careful because it’ll also give you high cholesterol.
Conclusion
Cocoa butter comes in an unrefined state that smacks all sorts of deliciousness. On close inspection, one can see that its color varies from dark brown to reddish-brown to tan, lighter than many other types of butter available. Knowing how to store cocoa butter is easy if you know the guidelines above.
Equipment
- 1 Blender
- 1 freezer
Ingredients
- 1 butter
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
- vanilla extract
Instructions
- The ingredients are combined in a food processor, then formed into a log on wax paper, sealed, and chilled.
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.