How to store nuts

How you store your nuts impacts the period of time they will remain fit for eating.

Nuts (like most foods) have a shelf life. If you store your nuts in the pantry, read on! There’s more to learn about how to store nuts.

When you return home from your grocery shopping trip and start to put your groceries away, you probably place the nuts directly into the cupboard or pantry without second thought. However, just like all other foods, you need to check the nut expiration date. Next, store your nuts in a way that will extend the nut expiration date and preserve their freshness and usability.

When you store nuts, there are two things you must consider:

1. Location
2. Container

Ultimately, you want to minimize exposure to light, heat, moisture, and air. These elements directly impact how quickly your nuts become rancid.

LOCATION

Most often, we place nuts in convenient spaces where they’ll be easily accessible when cooking or baking. Usually, those spaces are close to the stove or below ceiling lights. These spots may seem like a logical location to store your nuts, but they will actually cause your nuts to go bad more quickly.

Cool, dark, and dry places (like in the pantry) are ideal for storing nuts.

If you have a surplus of nuts and need long-term storage space, consider the refrigerator or freezer. Stored in the refrigerator, you can extend the shelf life of your nuts approximately one year. In the freezer, most nuts will last up to two years past the expiration date printed on the packaging.

Some nut varieties may have a shelf life even longer than two years when stored in the freezer.

Freezing nuts is the best method for long-term storage.

CONTAINERS

When choosing a container, use one that is airtight. You can use Tupperware, plastic baggies, freezer bags, or even mason jars. Glass and plastic containers are preferred over plastic bags. Since plastic bags are permeable, it is easy for odors to seep into the bag.

The key is to make sure that the container you choose has a good seal so there is no way for air to sneak into the container. If you use a plastic bag try to get as much air out of the bag as possible.

Regardless of where you store your nuts or what container you use, make sure that both the container and location are clean and dry. Moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, so do your best not to expose the nuts to moisture.

Because nuts are great for our health, they are a staple to have around at all times. When stored properly, nuts will stay fresh for longer. Extending their shelf life, all comes down to how you store nuts.

It’s always best to buy fresh and frequently; however, if and when you buy your nuts in bulk, take the extra couple of steps to properly store them. You will be happy with the results.

Written by Lisa Saremi