The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Food processing => Topic started by: Mel on April 06, 2012, 09:53:47 pm

Title: How long does home made Lard last for?!
Post by: Mel on April 06, 2012, 09:53:47 pm
Funny question,but I rendered heaps of lard over Christmas and have been using it no problem,however,I came across a jar today which has turned off white! ??? would you consider it off or would you say it is ok?Just thought I would check!
Title: Re: How long does home made Lard last for?!
Post by: YorkshireLass on April 06, 2012, 10:00:14 pm
How does it smell?
My batches came out various shades of white-cream
Title: Re: How long does home made Lard last for?!
Post by: Mel on April 06, 2012, 10:01:19 pm
like lard  ;D
Title: Re: How long does home made Lard last for?!
Post by: Mel on April 06, 2012, 10:02:02 pm
I do apologise,I forgot to say this jar was a tad runny,strange that!
Title: Re: How long does home made Lard last for?!
Post by: YorkshireLass on April 06, 2012, 10:03:41 pm
I'd use it...I think....but there's no-one else here to poison  ;D
Mine's the consistency of warm butter, very soft, if that helps?
Title: Re: How long does home made Lard last for?!
Post by: robert waddell on April 06, 2012, 10:13:47 pm
what is wrong with freezing well not in jars use old butter tubs :farmer:
Title: Re: How long does home made Lard last for?!
Post by: Mel on April 07, 2012, 05:12:20 pm
As a child I was given lard sandwiches to have at school for my lunch, when I lived in Manchester,
The thought of it now ....well.....it's a haunting substance I've never forgotten.

They did have a sprinkling of sugar too !
No,Not Lard but Dripping! Yummmy!!! :yum: ;D
Title: Re: How long does home made Lard last for?!
Post by: Mel on April 07, 2012, 05:13:30 pm
what is wrong with freezing well not in jars use old butter tubs :farmer:
To be honest,I have never frozen lard! :-[ I usually keep it in a very cold fridge.
Title: Re: How long does home made Lard last for?!
Post by: Mel on April 07, 2012, 05:13:53 pm
I'd use it...I think....but there's no-one else here to poison  ;D
Mine's the consistency of warm butter, very soft, if that helps?
That's the one ;D
Title: Re: How long does home made Lard last for?!
Post by: Mrs Parsnips on April 08, 2012, 04:03:32 pm
I believe there is no need to keep it in the fridge. I have been rendering and storing lard from our pigs for 3 years now. I render down the best quality fat, sieve it and pour it into warmed sterilised jars (washed in hot soapy water and dried in a low oven). The jars I have been using are old 'Bon Maman' type jam jars. Once the fat is in the jars I screw on the lids and then as the fat cools you hear the jars pop as the vacuum is created as with jam, jellies and chutney etc. I then store the jars in a cool larder (we have a workshop downstairs which is dark and cool).  I have been using them through the year with no problems.
Title: Re: How long does home made Lard last for?!
Post by: smithycraft on April 10, 2012, 07:02:07 am
I agree, I have both frozen, like slices of cake in plastic bags, and stored it in jars in the larder and use it for well over a year. 
Title: Re: How long does home made Lard last for?!
Post by: lill on April 10, 2012, 10:07:52 am
the time limit is endless for frozen lard
Title: Re: How long does home made Lard last for?!
Post by: Mel Rice on April 10, 2012, 10:29:03 am
The cleaner the product the better it keeps.