3 Major mistakes that can reduce the shelf life of nuts | The Times of India (2024)

FAQs

What are three things to consider when storing nuts? ›

Light, oxygen, and heat are the enemies of nuts. Storing them in an airtight container in the freezer helps to limit their exposure to all three of these elements and slow the rate of spoilage.

The general rule is that most nuts retain quality for a few months. However, this does not mean that nuts will remain in good condition for an extended period. Shelled nuts stored at room temperature are expected to last six to nine months. Non-shelled nuts will last for four to six months.

Avoid storing nuts near heat sources like stoves, ovens, or direct sunlight. Instead, choose a cool and dark storage location to extend their shelf life.

Spoilage is accelerated even more in the presence of light, oxygen, and heat. Storing nuts (and seeds) in the fridge or freezer limits their exposure to all three of these, and will result in your nuts tasting less bitter and more flavorful for a longer period of time.

When it comes to detecting spoiled nuts, the best bet is to use your nose. As LaMarita explains, the most dominant sign is an unpleasant odor. "Rancid nuts give off an aroma—a sour, moldy, paint-like, plastic-like smell," he says.

But truly rank nuts can be “bitter, sour, and potentially cheesy or vomit-like,” says food scientist Topher McNeil. The science behind this unfortunate transformation is a complicated chemical reaction called oxidation. Fueled by exposure to air, light, and heat, unsaturated fats break down and release free radicals.

Rapid fungal colonization and intense enzymatic activity cause the spoilage of infected materials. Penicillium can invade plants before harvest or during storage. They are also capable to grow during drying process, colonizing substrate poor in water, like nuts [43, 44].

You may think it's a nutty idea, but the best place to keep nuts is in the freezer! Nuts contain a lot of oil and can become rancid if stored in the pantry. Instead, place them in separate airtight containers or sealable plastic bags, then label, date and freeze for up to six months.

Want to know the secret to keeping your pecans fresh? It's simple. Just keep your pecans in airtight containers and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. When you are ready to serve, you can bring them up to room temperature or cook with them right away, no thawing necessary.

“When possible, always store your nuts in the freezer,” she says. Jaweed agrees with this sentiment: “The ideal way to store nuts is in your freezer, right from the moment you receive them—up to a year or more.”

What is the best container to store nuts in? ›

Nuts should be stored in their own airtight containers, such as glass, ceramic, or sturdy plastic containers. Even freezer bags are a good option. In selecting the container it's important to assess them for their airtightness.

Choose nuts that look fresh. Avoid those that are shriveled, moldy, bruised or give off a bad smell. Nuts that give off an unpleasant odour may be rancid (rotten). Choose plain unsalted nuts most often.

To keep them fresh for much longer, store the containers in the refrigerator or the freezer, where nuts and seeds are cold and happy and unaffected by fluctuating kitchen temperatures. In general, they'll stay fresh for up to six months stored in the refrigerator and for up to one year stored in the freezer.

Nuts retain quality for a year or more at refrigerator temperature (40°F [4°C] or below) or up to 2 years in the freezer (0°F [-18°C] or below). Shelled nuts absorb moisture and external flavors, so they should be packed in clean, moisture-free, and odor-tight packaging such as plastic or glass containers.

You may think it's a nutty idea, but the best place to keep nuts is in the freezer! Nuts contain a lot of oil and can become rancid if stored in the pantry. Instead, place them in separate airtight containers or sealable plastic bags, then label, date and freeze for up to six months.