Do’s and Don’ts with Your Bulk Pecans (2024)

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Do’s and Don’ts with Your Bulk Pecans (1)Growing trends in dietary habits in the United States has the population striving towards a healthier fare. One offering nourishment, as well as a palate that tantalizes the senses. There is an everyday staple that is adding nutrition and giving every dish it is included in a distinctive crunch that supplies the texture they are looking for. They are adding bulk pecans to their pantry.

Dishes served in restaurants and households are including a rotation of fish, salads, and lean proteins. They are accompanying the plates with fruits and vegetables, fresh or frozen, and superfoods like bulk pecans that can be stored for up to two years in the average home. Serious dieters source their fare from trusted and reliable providers. Proteins are coming from the butcher to ensure consistency. Fruits and vegetables from organic farmers markets for proven quality, and bulk pecans from farmers that have cultivated their orchards to deliver a reliable and tasty nut.

Bulk pecans offer a boost in many ways to the countless recipes they contribute to. They help reduce the risk of heart disease and are a good source of dietary fiber and unsaturated fat. Chefs agree that using pecans from the same harvest are unique to the orchard they come from, and they offer consistent tastes that compliment a plethora of dishes. To make the most from this nut, people are buying bulk pecans a few pounds at a time and storing them for months, even up to two years at a time. Doing this means that buyers should follow the do’s and don’t advice of food safety experts for the correct handling and storage of bulk pecans to ensure optimal flavor every single time, down to the last nut.

DO

Do pay attention to the appearance. The meat from the pecan should be uniform in color and size. A plump nut with a soft brown hue throughout the batch suggests a consistent flavor and is indicative of coming from the same orchard and harvest. Any mold or rotten meat is a sure sign of spoilage and improper handling.

Do be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before handling or prepping bulk pecans for storage. Psychophiles are microorganisms that thrive in cold and freezing temperatures. This means any harmful bacteria you pass to the nut before freezing may not just live through the process, but it could continue to grow. The presence of these bacteria isn’t visible using the primary senses. They are invisible to the naked eye and may be oblivious to taste and smell. Washing your hands is the best defense to killing these bacteria instead of passing them along.

Do dry your hands and work in an area that is void of moisture. Life, even microscopic forms use oxygen and water as a supply to grow with.

Do store your bulk pecan supply in a cool or freezing location. Most nuts in their raw form contain oil. Leaving pecans at room temperature will lead to those oils becoming rancid. Rancid nuts will drag down any dish you add them to and can lead to illness.

Do store your bulk pecans in airtight containers such as plastic zipper seal bags designed for the freezer, or rigid plastic containers that burp out excess air. Glass containers are ideal as well. The vessel of choice should be something that doesn’t hold flavors and smells from one application to the next, such as plastic and glass.

Do feel comfortable thawing out and refreezing your pecans. This is a tough nut and is capable of enduring freezing and thawing and refreezing without losing taste or integrity of the meat if done within the proper allotted time frame.

Do follow the proper time frame for storing bulk pecans. In-shell, or shelled stored in a 40° atmosphere should not exceed a 365-day shelf life. When stored in a freezer, keep them no longer than two years.

DON'T

Don’t wash pecans. Don’t run water over them or even use a damp towel to clean them. Especially in-shell pecans. The porous shell is a sound device for protecting the meat from nature, but it will hold moisture, and when packed away it will allow the growth of microorganisms that will break down the integrity of the nut.

ENJOY

When people buy bulk pecans, they are investing in their health, and gambling with their family and friends taste buds if they aren’t careful about storing them. The time taken to clean and store pecans will pay off huge in the long run in the way of saving money and in ensuring the health and appetite of the audience enjoying them.

Do’s and Don’ts with Your Bulk Pecans (2024)

FAQs

What's the best way to store pecans? ›

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.

What is the healthiest way to eat pecans? ›

How to incorporate pecans into a healthy lifestyle
  • As the perfect topping to any salad.
  • As a way to take your chicken, fish or pork to the next level by baking them with an amazing "pecan crust"
  • In breakfast dishes, like whole-grain muffins, pancakes and danishes.

Should you wash pecans before freezing? ›

When stored in a freezer, keep them no longer than two years. Don't wash pecans. Don't run water over them or even use a damp towel to clean them. Especially in-shell pecans.

Should pecans be washed before cracking? ›

Prior to shelling, pecans are moistened with water or steam, which increases the kernel moisture content and reduces kernel breakage during cracking. This process increases the shelling efficiency. Additionally, this step can also make the nut free of health hazardous bacteria.

Do pecans go bad if not refrigerated? ›

Question: Do pecans need to be refrigerated? Answer: No, shelled pecans do not need to be refrigerated and will last up to 4 months if kept around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

How long do pecans last in a ziplock bag? ›

Sealed plastic bags are best for storing pecans in the freezer. In-shell pecans can be stored in a cool, dry place for 6 to 12 months. They can be refrigerated up to 18 months and frozen for about three years.

What organ are pecans good for? ›

Pecans are also uniquely high in good fats and other heart healthy nutrients which is why this special nut is certified by the American Heart Association's® Heart-Check Program.

How many pecans a day is too much? ›

Like many other nuts, pecans contain a high percentage of fat and can lead to diarrhea if too many are eaten in a short amount of time. Over-consumption may also lead to digestive issues like gas and bloating. Recommendation: One ounce (15-19) pecan halves per day.

What are the benefits of eating pecans before bed? ›

These foods below will help you maximize your sleep. Try eating them at dinner or as an evening snack. Almonds, Pecans, & Walnuts – They contain Melatonin, which is a hormone that regulates sleep cycles. A 1oz serving of almonds will pack about 77 mg of Melatonin.

Can you eat pecans straight from the tree? ›

No, you cannot eat the green nuts that fall off prematurely from the trees as they've still not ripened. Only those nuts that ripen fully by Fall (and hence ready to harvest) are worth eating as they have the rich invigorating flavor you normally associate with nuts.

How to tell if pecans are bad? ›

Fresh pecans have a distinct aroma, characterized by their sweet, nutty scent. They should have a firm, almost crunchy texture and a rich golden or amber color. On the flip side, bad pecans may show signs of spoilage, such as a rancid smell, a shriveled appearance, or a soft and rubbery texture.

How do you sanitize pecans? ›

In section 5-1 (b), the regulation states that all pecans “shall be subjected to a bactericidal process” by either: Immersion in hot water at 170 degrees F or greater for at least two minutes, or a flow of hot water at 170 degrees F for at least 5 minutes, or be exposed to 180 degrees F hot air for at least 20 minutes.

Why do you soak pecans in water? ›

By soaking nuts and seeds, you minimize or eliminate the nutritional inhibitors and other toxic substances as they are absorbed into the water. Without the inhibitors and toxic substances, the nutrients of the nuts and seeds are more readily available for absorption.

Why do you boil pecans before shelling? ›

You'll find out fast that boiling pecans lessens the likelihood of the shell shattering into a lot of smaller pieces. Boiling shouldn't affect the taste of the pecan, though.

Can you eat raw pecans? ›

Raw. Raw pecans can be eaten alone, salted, or sweetened. In savory dishes, pecans can lend a burst of rich buttery flavor. Some cooks like to candy pecans and sprinkle them on salads or pastas, especially in combination with rich cheeses like Gorgonzola and blue cheese.

Do pecans last longer in the shell? ›

In-shell pecans can remain good for 4 months at 70°F, but can be stored successfully for 18 months at 32°F to 36°F. Storage life of in-shell nuts may extend to 5 years or more when stored at 0°F (table 1). Burlap bags are satisfactory for holding in-shell pecans if the bags are clean or have been sterilized.

Can you store pecans in mason jars? ›

Pecans (and almost any food) can be preserved in Mason jars. This method frees up your freezer space, and there is no freezer burn.

Should I vacuum seal pecans? ›

Use Airtight Containers: When storing pecans, use airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags to minimize exposure to air. Because of their makeup, oxygen can cause the pecans to turn rancid more quickly.

References

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