Storing Your Butter In A Clear Dish Is A Huge Mistake. This Is Why - Tasting Table

"Sure, it looks chic, luxurious, and presentable. But as it turns out, it's not the best way to keep butter fresh. In fact, it can do the opposite. Storing butter in a clear dish outside the fridge exposes it to heat and light, which speeds up spoilage. That not only wastes money (especially if you splurge on fancy butter), but could also make you sick if it goes rancid."

"If you're not a fan of storing it in the fridge, specialty dishware exists that protects butter from heat and light while keeping it spreadable. A butter crock (also called a butter bell) is a solid option for longer-term storage. The base holds a little cold water, and the inverted lid is packed with butter and sits down into it like a bell."

Storing butter in a clear dish on the counter exposes it to heat and light, which accelerates spoilage and can cause rancidity. Room-temperature storage may be acceptable only if butter will be used within a couple of days and the kitchen remains below about 70°F. Salted butter tolerates room-temperature storage better than unsalted butter. Refrigerating a butter dish between uses can extend freshness. A butter crock (butter bell) uses a cold-water base and an inverted butter-packed lid to create a seal that keeps butter soft, spreadable, and protected. Water should be changed every few days and longevity depends on temperature, salt content, and maintenance frequency.

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