Why is it when I leave margarine on the counter overnight

[Shockwave]

and I come back, its not a runny mess?? It would seem butter at room tempature should be runny. This doesnt seem natural to me.....

 

[MacBaine]

Margarine is not food, that's why.

 

[biostud]

Because it's made of longer chained fatty acids than those in butter, which gives it a higher melting point.

It's called "London Forces"

 

[Chaotic42]

MacBaine and biostud666 are both correct.

 

[Yossarian]

bacteria are holding it in a gelatinous state.

 

[mugs]

Butter doesn't get runny when you leave it at room temperature either, it just gets soft (about as soft as margarine). We've left our butter out on the counter (in a butter dish) my entire life.

Edit: Not the same stick the whole time.

 

[Atomicus]

Isn't margarine an emulsion?

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: mugs
Butter doesn't get runny when you leave it at room temperature either, it just gets soft (about as soft as margarine). We've left our butter out on the counter (in a butter dish) my entire life.

Edit: Not the same stick the whole time.

wtf doesn't butter need to be in the fridge?

 

[Amorphus]

Originally posted by: armatron

Originally posted by: mugs
Butter doesn't get runny when you leave it at room temperature either, it just gets soft (about as soft as margarine). We've left our butter out on the counter (in a butter dish) my entire life.

Edit: Not the same stick the whole time.

wtf doesn't butter need to be in the fridge?

Nope. But it's best to keep it in the fridge, since mold will grow on it easily (that is, if you don't use up your butter quickly)

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: armatron

Originally posted by: mugs
Butter doesn't get runny when you leave it at room temperature either, it just gets soft (about as soft as margarine). We've left our butter out on the counter (in a butter dish) my entire life.

Edit: Not the same stick the whole time.

wtf doesn't butter need to be in the fridge?

No - pasturization man