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Have you been storing your peanut butter wrong?
How do you do this? Here are some few tips:
Tip no. 1
Temperature: Keep your peanut butter stored in a cool, dry place with limited light and heat. Some appliances can produce heat.
Tip no. 2
Store your peanut butter in airtight containers. An open jar of peanut butter stays fresh up to three months in the pantry. After that, it’s recommended to store the peanut butter in the fridge, where it can maintain its quality for another 3-4 months. If you don’t refrigerate, oil separation can occur.
Tip no. 3
Only buy what you expect to use within the time recommended on the peanut butter label. At home, be sure to use the oldest first. Your geographic area will affect recommended storage time. Warm and humid climates can shorten shelf life.
Tip no. 4
Always purchase fresh-looking cans. Do not buy old stock. Carefully check for dents in cans before buying. Be wary of purchasing bulging cans
Here is a low-down of peanut butter Shelf Life in your Pantry
Peanut Butter, unopened 12 months Refrigeration not needed
Peanut Butter, opened 2-3 months Lasts 6 -9 months in refrigerator
Why Honey Should Be Part Of Your Diet
Keep Your Peanuts Peak: A Guide to Proper Storage
Roasted nuts are a nutritional powerhouse, packing protein, healthy fats and essential vitamins and minerals . They’re a delicious and convenient snack, perfect for when you are on the go and rushing to the office in the morning. But there’s nothing worse than reaching for a handful of peanuts only to find them stale and flavorless. Proper storage is key to maximizing the shelf life and deliciousness of your roasted nuts.
So what can lead to your peanuts going stale and flavorless?
There are four main factors, namely;
- Air: Exposure to air leads to oxidation, which breaks down the fats in nuts, resulting in a rancid and loss of texture.
- Moisture: Absorption of moisture makes nuts soft and mushy, compromising their delightful crunch.
- Light: Exposure to too much light can degrade the delicate oil in nuts, affecting flavor and nutritional value.
- Heat: Heat accelerates the oxidation process, leading to faster spoilage.
Now that we know of the factors that can cause staleness, how do prevent this from happening?
- Airtight containers: These are your best friend for nut storage. Opt for glass jars with secure lids or BPA-free plastics containers with tight closures or if you have a Lock n lock container it is also highly recommended,
- Cool, dark place: Store your nuts in a cool, dark pantry away from direct sunlight and heat sources like ovens and stoves.. A consistent temperature is ideal.
- The fridge or freezer for extended periods: For long-terms storage(beyond a few months) consider the fridge or freezer. Transfer your nuts to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 6 months or the freezer for up to 1 year.
Pro Tips for Peak Nut Freshness:
- Buy in Bulk, Store Smart: If you buy nuts in bulk, portion them out into smaller airtight containers to minimize exposure to air.
- First In, First Out: Rotate your nut stash regularly. Consume older containers first to ensure freshness.
- The Power of Portion Control: Avoid storing opened containers for extended periods. Once opened, consume them within a reasonable timeframe.
- Know When to Say Goodbye: Always give your nuts a sniff test before consuming. If they have a strong, off-odor, it’s time to discard them.
You can ensure your roasted nuts stay crunchy, flavorful, and a healthy snacking staple for weeks to come by following the above simple steps. So, the next time you reach for a handful, you’ll be greeted by that satisfying crunch and delicious burst of nutty goodness. Now go forth and conquer your workday, fueled by the power of perfectly stored roasted nuts!
Best Pure Natural Honey in Kenya
Best Pure Natural Honey in Kenya
At Greenforest Foods limited we have partnered with 5000 bee keepers in the Eastern African Region who produce and supply us with pure natural honey in Kenya. Greenforest honey is harvested and processed with at most care to maintain its quality and natural sweetness. Greenforest honey is pure and without any additives. This is to maintain the quality and the natural taste of the honey. We therefore guarantee our customers of the best pure natural honey in Kenya.
Price of Honey in Kenya in 2024
Our direct partnership with farmers has helped us to produce one of the most affordable pure natural honey in Kenya. Our honey is processed and packaged locally without additional additives at our processing plant located Off North Airport Road Nairobi Kenya.
Here is a table showing the price of our honey in Kenya in 2024
| Product | Size | Price (KSh) |
| GFF Pure Honey Jar | 300G | 292 |
| GFF Pure Honey Jar | 500G | 456 |
| GFF Pure Honey Squeeze Bottle | 500G | 463 |
| GFF Pure Honey Jar | 1000G | 849 |
We have packaged our honey in both squeezable bottles and normal jars in various sizes. Greenforest Natural Pure Honey 1kg costs Ksh. 849, 500g cost Ksh. 456 for a squeezable bottle and Ksh. 463 for a jar, 300g costs Ksh. 292.
Where To Get Honey In Kenya
Greenforest Foods LTD is one of the leading producers of the best natural honey in Kenya. So if are wondering where you can find the best honey which is not fake and without additives, then you are going to love Greenforest honey.
Over the years our great relationship with farmers in the Eastern region of Kenya (Kitui, Makueni, Narok and Taita Taveta Counties) has made us to set and always maintain the best standards when it comes to honey production. We keep training farmers on the best practices when it comes to honey production to ensure that our honey is the best in the market.
Our honey can also be found in your famous local shopping outlets and supermarkets like Quickmart, Chandarana, Carrefour and trusted local online shop Jumia.
Why Greenforest Honey is the Best in Natural Honey in Kenya
- The happen is pure with no additives
- The honey is affordable
- It is produced locally in Eastern region of Kenya
Some of the Benefits of Greenforest Honey
Honey is meant to be consumed in small amounts since its high in sugar. But unlike regular white table sugar, honey contains some noteworthy antioxidants that are proven to be good for the body
Natural humectant & skin brightener
Honey adds moisture or humidity naturally and treats dull skin, restoring its natural glow. Since raw honey crystalizes over time, the tiny granules act as a gentle exfoliant. It has toning, smoothening, brightening and depigmentation properties.
Anti-aging
The probiotics, antioxidants, nutrients and enzymes in honey work together to nourish and plump the skin. While it doesn’t eliminate wrinkles, it reduces their appearance. The antioxidants help in reversing sun damage.
Relieving cough
Owing to its antimicrobial activity, honey is used to treat coughs. It is commonly used to relieve sore throat, allergy symptoms or for asthmatic relief.
From Liquid Gold to Solid Splendor: Understanding Honey Crystallization
Its early in the morning , you rise with anticipation, eager to share a comforting breakfast with your loved ones. But as you reach for the familiar jar of honey to sweeten your day, your hand hesitates. Something is amiss. Instead of the smooth, golden liquid you expected, you find the once-fluid honey has transformed into a mass of tiny crystals, glistening in the morning sun. You may be tempted to discard the jar of honey because it looks crusty and flaky, it surely must have gone bad, right? Actually, it has not! Crystallization is a natural process that pure honey goes through. It occurs when the glucose in the honey separates from the water and stabilizes, turning into crystals.
A very interesting fact by the way, is that properly stored honey can remain good to eat for decades, even centuries if possible. Honey’s low pH and high sugar content makes it nearly impossible for organisms that make food go stale to survive. The magic from bees keeps your honey safe to enjoy for a very long time- even when it is crystallized.
Lets talk science and break it down, shall we?
Honey is a highly concentrated sugar solution. It contains more than 70% sugars and less than 20% water. That unstable solution is the one we all recognize, the gummy viscous texture from that unstable situation.
Honey contains sugars, the two principal sugars being fructose(fruit sugar) and glucose(grape sugar). Generally the fructose in honey ranges from 30%- 44% and glucose from 25%- 40%. This sugar will want to stabilize and it will gradually granulate to create that stability and crystalline texture. These recently created crystals tend to gather at the bottom of the bottle because they are denser than the honey that hasn’t solidified yet. Honey transforms from an unsaturated solution to a more stable saturated state as more and more glucose crystallizes; this is that thick, gritty honey you found.
Certain types of honey exhibit uniform crystallization, whereas others only partially crystallize, resulting in two layers: a liquid on top and a crystallized layer at the bottom of the jar. The size of the crystals that form in honey varies as well. While some produce huge, rough crystals, others generate delicate ones. The honey will crystallize more quickly and have a finer texture. Compared to liquid honey, crystallized honey typically sets a paler tint. This is because glucose crystals are naturally pure white and glucose sugar has a tendency to split apart when it dehydrates. Deeper honey on the other hand will have a hint of dark brown
Why don’t consumers like Crystallization?
The simple answer is that most consumers are unfamiliar with it because they are used to the highly processed honey that has all of its nutrients destroyed and its pollen removed.
How fast will honey crystallize? And what factors contribute to this process?
The rate at which different varieties of honey crystallizes varies. After being removed from the combs, some honey crystallizes in a matter of weeks, while other honey stays liquid for months or even years. The pace at which crystallization occurs is determined by the following factors:
- The source of nectar that bees gather (sugar content of honey)
- The handling and processing techniques used for honey
- The moisture content
The storage temperature has a very big effect. The fastest honey crystallization occurs is between 10 and15ºC. The rate of crystallization slows down below 10ºC. Low temperatures cause honey to become more viscous which inhibits crystal formation and diffusion. The highest temperatures at which honey resists crystallization is above 25ºC. Crystals disintegrate at 40ºC and any temperature beyond that will cause harm to honeys qualities.
How does one Liquify the crystallized honey and reverse the process?
Honey that has crystallized can be re-liquefied by slowly gently heating it in a hot water bath. A container should not be directly heated; rather heat should be given indirectly. The temperature in the beehives is about 35 ºC and can even rise to 40ºC. In order to liquify the honey, it is best to heat it at 35ºC-40ºC. Heating must be done with care if the nutritional value of the honey is to preserved and not to be spoiled, heating can be done through the following methods;
- Warm water bath
- Honey warming cabinet
How can crystallized honey be utilized?
There are many uses for your crystallized honey if you’re ready to take a chance with it. It’s a delectable spread over toast or biscuits, or a wonderful complement to baked products. It will melt in a matter of seconds and taste delicious when added to tea or coffee. Thus, use your crystallized honey without fear and, by all means, do not discard it! The natural process of crystallization indicates that your honey is the real deal.
In conclusion..
As you savor the last remnants of your breakfast, perhaps with a dollop of crystallized honey atop your toast or stirred into your tea, take a moment to appreciate the journey this humble jar has taken you on. From initial surprise to newfound understanding, the crystallization of honey has revealed itself not as a flaw, but as a testament to its purity and natural essence. So, the next time you encounter these delicate crystals forming in your honey jar, embrace them as a sign of authenticity and a reminder of the intricate wonders that nature bestows upon us.
Best Peanut Butter in Kenya
Best Peanut Butter in Kenya
Greenforest Foods produces one of the best peanut butter in Kenya. So if you are wondering which is the best peanut butter brand in Kenya, then Greenforest peanut butter is all you need. We have partnered with over 2000 small scale farmers in Kenya which means that our peanut butter is pure and 100% locally produced.
We adhere to KEBS standards of production that is why we were not affected when they banned some of the most popular peanut butter brands in Kenya over high aflatoxin levels. Greenforest Peanut butter does not contain additional ingredients apart from peanuts and salt. Our product does not have any added sugar.
Peanut Butter Prices in Kenya 2024
Greenforest Peanut butter is one of the most affordable peanut butter brands in Kenya you call find in local retail stores in Kenya. However, this does in imply the peanut quality is lower than other brands. We produce affordably without comprising the quality and standards.
| Peanut Butter Size | Price |
| Peanut butter 250g | Ksh. 218 |
| Peanut butter 400g | Ksh. 328 |
| Peanut butter 800g | Ksh. 627 |
Table above shows our Retail peanut butter Prices in Kenya
Research shows that peanut butter has many benefits. One of the main fats in peanut butter is oleic acid. When substituted for other fats in your diet, oleic acid is shown to help maintain good cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. Managing these levels in your body can lower the risk of heart disease. Therefore Greenforest peanut butter is the ultimate energy booster and your hearts best companion. Peanut butter is also good source of copper, a mineral that helps maintain our bone health, immune function, and blood vessels. Some research suggests that getting enough copper in your diet may reduce your risk of heart disease.
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KSh216.00Add to cart
- Quick View
Peanut Butter 250g
Peanut Butter 250g| Product | Size | Price (KSh) |
| Greenforest Peanut Butter | 250G | 218 |
| Greenforest Peanut Butter | 400G | 328 |
| Greenforest Peanut Butter | 800G | 627 |
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KSh216.00Add to cart
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KSh328.00Add to cart
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Peanut Butter 400g
Peanut Butter 400gPeanut butter also contains omega-6. Greenforest peanut butter is the ultimate energy booster and your hearts best companion, so much so that the next time you take your family to the supermarket, this is the first thing that’s going to go in your basket.
| Product | Size | Price (KSh) |
| Greenforest Peanut Butter | 250G | 218 |
| Greenforest Peanut Butter | 400G | 328 |
| Greenforest Peanut Butter | 800G | 627 |
Shop for the best Peanut Butter at best price from Greenforest.
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KSh328.00Add to cart
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KSh687.00Add to cart
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Peanut Butter 800g
Peanut Butter 800g| Product | Size | Price (KSh) |
| Greenforest Peanut Butter | 250G | 218 |
| Greenforest Peanut Butter | 400G | 328 |
| Greenforest Peanut Butter | 800G | 627 |
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KSh687.00Add to cart
Peanut Butter Nutrition and Health Benefits
Despite its nutritional benefits, peanut butter is high in fat and calories. Just 2 tablespoons deliver no less than a quarter of your recommended daily intake of fat, some of it saturated. Even so, the nutritional benefits of peanut butter most often outweigh the consequences, particularly for people who are nutritionally deprived or simply don’t get enough protein in their diets.
Health Benefits
Beyond its nutritional value, peanut butter contains compounds that can potentially promote weight loss and reduce the risk of heart disease.
May Help Support Weight Loss
Peanut butter is believed to aid in weight loss by promoting satiation (the sensation of feeling full soon after eating) because of its protein and fat content. By curbing your appetite, peanut butter may help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of obesity. While peanut butter may help curb your appetite, it’s important to watch your portions. In the end, no food can be considered “diet” if two servings account for 50% of your daily fat and 20% of a 2,000-calorie diet.
May Help Reduce Risk of Heart Disease
Evidence that peanuts or peanut butter can reduce the risk of heart disease is largely mixed. Research acceded that eating 1.5 ounces of nuts per day may be beneficial to the heart but wouldn’t go so far as to say that it could prevent heart disease. Some scientists disagree. A 2016 review of studies from France suggested that an antioxidant in peanuts, known as resveratrol, can reduce cardiovascular inflammation and relax blood vessels, increasing circulation and lowering blood pressure. It is also known to decrease in LDL oxidation, which contributes to the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and coronary artery disease.
Identifying Pure Honey
What is Honey?
According to Wikipedia, Honey is a sweet, viscous food substance made by honey bees and some other bees. Bees produce honey from the sugary secretions of plants or from secretions of other insects, by regurgitation, enzymatic activity, and water evaporation.
How To Tell If the Honey You Are Using is Pure
How can you be sure you are buying pure honey? Choosing between the various types and varietals offered on the market can be overwhelming if you aren’t buying it directly from a beekeeper. According to estimates, nearly three-fourths of the honey sold in some grocery stores is fake. Pollen, minerals, enzymes, and vitamins have all been removed from this processed product. All that is still in the jar is sweetened syrup. Disturbingly, some producers even mix in corn syrup and other sweeteners to dilute the real honey and lower the price of the “honey.”
Understand that these tests are not 100% accurate.
1. Crystallization
Honey crystallization is a natural occurrence in which it changes from a liquid to granular or semi-solid form for purely natural causes. What do you envision when you see a crystallized or semi-solid honey, then? It’s likely that you will disregard it as fake or tampered honey. This is because it’s a common misconception that “pure honey doesn’t crystallize,” even though the opposite is actually true.
Bees transform nectar into honey by processing it and adding unique enzymes. Natural honey as a result of this process has a propensity to crystallize and thicken when kept in storage. Inorganic honey won’t.
2. Check The Label
Make sure to read the label to learn where the honey originated rather than the location where it was packaged or at least find the information from their website. Check around the brand name or logo in addition to the ingredient list to check for “additives” or “added flavors.” Pure honey should only have one ingredient: honey. However, even if no other ingredients are listed, the manufacturer may not be telling the truth. So doing more research about the dealings of the brand company may help.
3. Paper Test
Add a few drops of the honey you are examining to a piece of paper. Pure honey won’t flow through and will stay solid. The paper will get wet and possibly even get soaked through if the honey isn’t pure.
4. Fire Test
This test only checks for added water in the honey, which may prevent the honey from burning. Dip a cotton pad or the cotton wick of a candle into a bit of the honey, and shake off the excess. Attempt to light the cotton pad or wick. If it burns easily, then it probably has no added water, but may or may not have other substances added. If it refuses to burn or makes a cracking sound instead, water may have been added.
Phosphorus: Your bones’ best friend found in your nuts
This is why you need phosphorus in your body:
- To help your muscles to contract
- To keep your bones and teeth strong
- To aid muscle recovery after strenous activities and exercises
- To filter and remove waste from the kidneys
- To promote healthy nerve conduction throughout the body
- making DNA and RNA
- To manage the body’s energy usage and storage
So where does one get this magical mineral?
Most protein-rich foods are excellent sources of phosphorus. Nuts in particular are hea.Just 100grams
Most people get enough phosphorus in their diet, but some groups of people may need more phosphorus than others.
People who require more phosphorus include those with diabetes who take insulin to regulate their blood sugar. People with alcohol use disorder may also need to increase their phosphorus intake.
People who are low on phosphorus are likely to experience these symptoms
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
- joint pain
- bone pain
- breathing problems
- electrolyte imbalances
- confusion
- irritability
What You Need To Know About Peanut Butter
Does Peanut Butter Help With Weight Loss?
Peanut butter is believed to aid in weight loss by promoting satiation (the sensation of feeling full soon after eating) because of its protein and fat content. By curbing your appetite, peanut butter may help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of obesity. While peanut butter may help curb your appetite, it’s important to watch your portions. In the end, no food can be considered “diet” if two servings account for 50% of your daily fat and 20% of a 2,000-calorie diet.
Does Peanut Butter Reduce Risk of Heart Disease?
Evidence that peanuts or peanut butter can reduce the risk of heart disease is largely mixed. Research acceded that eating 1.5 ounces of nuts per day may be beneficial to the heart but wouldn’t go so far as to say that it could prevent heart disease. Some scientists disagree. A 2016 review of studies from France suggested that an antioxidant in peanuts, known as resveratrol, can reduce cardiovascular inflammation and relax blood vessels, increasing circulation and lowering blood pressure. It is also known to decrease in LDL oxidation, which contributes to the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and coronary artery disease.
Do You Have to Refrigerate Natural Peanut Butter?
Natural peanut butter is made from peanuts and peanuts alone. Because it doesn’t contain any stabilizers, the natural oils can separate from the solids and need to be stirred back in before eating. It also means that natural peanut butter should be kept in the refrigerator since the oils can spoil and turn rancid in left at room temperature for too long.
The average shelf life of natural peanut butter is two to four months if left in the pantry and three to six months if refrigerated. By contrast, regular store-bought peanut butter can be stored in the pantry or refrigerator for up to one year. To soften natural peanut butter, remove from the refrigerator 30 to 60 minutes before use.
Are Natural and Organic Peanut Butter the Same?
Both natural peanut butter and organic peanut butter contain peanuts and nothing else. Organic peanut butter has to be certified, meaning that the peanuts have to be produced without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents.
How Can You Tell If Peanut Butter Has Gone Bad?
Sight is usually the best way to tell if peanut butter has gone bad. If it has become darker, harder, or drier, it is best to toss it. You should also smell the peanut butter. If it has lost its buttery aroma or smells off, it is better to throw it out regardless of its use-by date.
Never eat peanut butter with any signs of discoloration or mold. One type of mold common to peanut butter, called aflatoxin, is classified as a carcinogen. Animal studies have shown that long-term exposure to aflatoxin can increase the risk of liver cancer and other types of cancer.
Greenforest Foods And European Union-EU Two Year Partners To Expand Its Groundnut Production Capacity By Contracting 2,000 Farmers In 2021-2022
Greenforest Foods Ltd a Kenyan Small and Medium Enterprise firm is recruiting and contracting 2,000 smallholder farmers in Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties with support from the European Union and Slovak Aid through its AgriFI Kenya Challenge Fund. This is a two-year project is supported by the European Union and Slovak Aid through its AgriFI Kenya Challenge Fund.
Our operations have identified groundnuts as a crop with potential of providing farmers in the two counties with considerably higher margins and profitable incomes as groundnuts have been proven to be resilient in harsh weather. It takes 3-4 months to harvest and this gives smallholder farmers a faster return on their investment.
Along with support from the EU, Greenforest mobilizes farmers, offers training on contract farming, agronomy, land preparation, groundnuts husbandry, pre & post-harvest management, good agricultural practices, smart farming and provides extension services to farmers in collaboration with county governments of Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo to access to clean seeds and aflatoxin management at the farm level to get the value chain guarantee aflatoxin-free produce which is nutritious and safe for consumers.
The project is focused to minimize and possibly eliminate the use of chemicals and pesticides which are harmful and costly to the farmers. We encourage farmers to use easily available natural manure, which together with improved seeds and good crop husbandry will ensure high yields with minimal impact on the environment
Experts in the agricultural sectors says peanut farming has potential to generate two to three times better margins than other crops like maize. However peanut farmers still face challenges such as lack of knowledge on climate-smart agricultural practices, lack of market access and proper agronomy information, as well as limited access to quality seeds and extension services, factors which have constrained production that AgriFI Kenya intends to eliminate. This support has enabled farmers to unlock their potential.
Practically all groundnuts produced in Kenya are grown by smallholder farmers who face multiple challenges that include increased climate vulnerability, limited access to quality seeds and other inputs, lack of know-how of climate-smart and good agricultural practices, and a lack of market access and information, This project addresses such vulnerabilities so as to create stable safe food security among the affected smallholder farmers.
Greenforest benefits to the over 2,000 smallholder groundnuts farmers in Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties is guaranteed ready market offered at buying centres conveniently located the farmers localities, training, link to various input suppliers and competitive farm gate prices both for shelled and unshelled produce including timely payment. The participation of youth and women is heavily encouraged to help support job and employment creation through supported farming.
This produce is processed into Peanuts Snacks and Peanut Butter in addition to the exiting honey line of product. The long-term objective of this project is for Greenforest to access high-quality aflatoxin-free peanuts locally.
Currently, the company sources all its peanuts from Malawi and this value chain initiative using smallholder farmers will bridge the supply chain deficit faced by the company which imports all its peanuts from Malawi due to Kenya’s inability to produce.
Our EU partnership project is facilitating the company to address availability of quality groundnuts locally, gets us as an SME to grow our business, but also increases income for local smallholder farmers and improve their livelihoods. Our commitment to off take the produce at pre-agreed prices is a vote of confidence on the farmers’ part.
