Inspired by conversations on the Food52 Hotline, we're sharing tips and tricks that make navigating all of our kitchens easier and more fun.
Today:Don't be the victim of a stale seed (or nut).Here's how to keep them fresh.
Nuts and seeds are pantry darlings. Our kitchen is stocked with them: to toss with oats for granola, fold into brownie batter, or sprinkle over salads. We often find ourselves lost in the bulk bin aisle of the grocery store, filling our bags to the brim with a bit too much of everything: almonds, hazelnuts, pepitas, pine nuts, we’ll take us much as we can carry.
The problem with this is that nuts and seeds have a limited shelf life. Both contain a reasonably high amount of oils, which come from healthy unsaturated fats. Unfortunately, unsaturated fats are delicate, and when they are exposed to heat, light, and oxygen, they can decompose and turn rancid -- which results in a harsh, bitter taste. Eating rancid nuts and seeds can even be harmful, causing stomach pain and irritation.
Here’s how to prevent your nuts and seedsfrom spoiling.
Buy them fresh.
Try to buy the freshest nuts and seeds you can find. Bulk bins are often a good place to look because they tend to have a quick turnaround and are restocked often. If possible, taste before you buy to ensure freshness. Also, try to only buy what you need. While it’s tempting to buy walnuts, cashews, and peanuts all in the same shopping trip, if you don’t desperately need all three, pick up only what you will use before your next shopping trip.
Buywhole, raw nuts and seeds.
Whole, raw nuts and seeds will stay fresh thelongest. That’s because when chopped, toasted, or ground into flour or meal, nuts release their oils; these oils are then exposed to more oxygen, which makes them go rancid more quickly. Get into the habit of toasting nuts yourselfand grinding your own flouror meal. Doing this not only guarantees freshness but also your toasted pecans, almond flour, and flaxseed meal will just taste better.
More:Learn how to get the pesky skins off your nuts.
Put alid on it.
Transfer all of your nuts and seeds to airtight containers. Old takeout containers, mason jars -- whatever you have will do, as long as it can be sealed and shut tight. This keeps air out -- which means for fresher nuts -- and prevents outside odors from getting in, which are easily absorbed by nuts and seeds.
Keep ‘em cold.
Storing your nuts and seeds in airtight containers is the first step, but it’s even more important to keep those babies cold. If you plan to use them in the immediate future, it’s fine to store the airtight containers in a cool, dark spot in your pantry. But they’ll only last at room temperature for a few months. 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. The sturdier your container, the less likely they are to pick up smells from other foods stored near them.
How do you keep your nuts and seeds fresh? Tell us in the comments!
Sheela Prakash is a food and wine writer, recipe developer, and the author of Salad Seasons: Vegetable-Forward Dishes All Year and Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. Her writing and recipes can be found in numerous online and print publications, including Kitchn, Epicurious, Food52, Serious Eats, Tasting Table, The Splendid Table, Simply Recipes, Culture Cheese Magazine, Clean Plates, and Slow Food USA. She received her master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy, holds Level 2 and Level 3 Awards in Wines from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), graduated from New York University's Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, and is also a Registered Dietitian.
FAQs
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.
How should fresh nuts and seeds be stored? ›
Tips to Safely Store Nuts. Contrary to popular belief, nuts should be stored in the fridge or freezer as opposed to a room temperature pantry. Why? Because nuts contain a high amount of unsaturated fat, a delicate type of oil, which makes them highly prone to going rancid.
Where do you store nuts in the kitchen? ›
Summary. For the best results for fresh, healthy nuts, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They'll be fresh and ready for up to six months.
Should seeds and nuts be stored in the fridge? ›
Light, heat, humidity and excess moisture cause nuts to spoil faster. Store nuts and seeds at room temperature for 3 months, fridge for 6 months and freezer for a year. Label containers with the date of purchase to keep track of which to consume first.
What are the storage options for nuts and seeds? ›
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.
Can I store seeds in Ziploc bags? ›
Store your seeds in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. Exposure to temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit will greatly decrease the viability of your seed for future planting seasons. Seeds can be stored in sealed containers, plastic bags, and wax or paper envelopes.
What is the best container to keep nuts fresh? ›
Le'raze Glass Kitchen Canisters
Use them to store things like dried pasta, nuts, candy, oatmeal, popcorn kernels, or coffee beans. We were impressed by how these glass food storage containers stayed fresh even after the tomato-onion stain and smell test.
How to store nuts so they don't go rancid? ›
The Best Way to Store Nuts
The refrigerator, yes, but specifically, LaMarita recommends refrigerating nuts in air-tight glass jars. Store any extra nuts in the freezer in the bags they came in, he says. (If you don't have the original bags, consider using a freezer-safe air-tight container instead.)
Can nuts be stored in ziplock bags? ›
Nuts are pricey these days, so you need to make sure you're storing them correctly for lasting freshness. Glass, plastic containers and our heavy, reclosable ziplock bags are good for storage. Metallic containers, light, moisture and heat will all conspire to spoil nuts more quickly.
How long do nuts last in Tupperware? ›
Another option is to use containers with airtight seals, such as glass jars or plastic ones, to ensure the nuts maintain the proper moisture level. If you keep nuts at room temperature, ensure they are away from direct heat; this will maintain their freshness for up to 3 months, considered short-term storage.
Nuts “definitely have a period of peak freshness,” says Overbay. Generally, a safe shelf-life at room temperature is between 3–6 months, says McNeil.
How to store nuts and seeds at home? ›
If you're going to use your nuts in the immediate future, it's fine to keep them in a cool, dark spot in your pantry. Just make sure they're in an airtight container and plan to eat them within a couple of weeks.
How long do nuts last in the pantry? ›
At room temperature, nuts and seeds can start to go bad after anywhere between one and three months, though some brands will advertise longer shelf lives than that. If stored in the refrigerator, however, these healthy fat sources can last up to six months.
Is it better to freeze or refrigerate nuts? ›
When storing nuts, the freezer is your friend. This dark, cold space slows the deterioration of the nut's oils, a process that directly impacts flavor. Light, oxygen, and heat are the enemies of nuts.
What is the best container to store nuts in? ›
Le'raze Glass Kitchen Canisters
Use them to store things like dried pasta, nuts, candy, oatmeal, popcorn kernels, or coffee beans. We were impressed by how these glass food storage containers stayed fresh even after the tomato-onion stain and smell test.
What is the best thing to store seeds in? ›
Cool environments that are optimal for keeping seeds in dormancy are ripe for causing water to condense, so airtight containers will be your friend here. Mason jars are favorites with seed savers, while ziptop bags, freezer bags, and other plastic containers with tight-fitting lids will also do the trick.
