Nuts Really Shouldn’t Be Stored in Your Pantry—Here’s Why (2024)
When most of us have a hankering for nuts, we tend to look no further than the pantry. It’s totally normal for nuts to be stored in the dark corners of our cupboards, with many taking residence there for what can turn into many months (especially if you shop in bulk). But did you know the pantry is actually not the best place to house nuts and seeds?
Instead, nuts and seeds should ideally be kept in the freezer—or at least the fridge. Let's take a look at why that is, and see just what can happen to nuts and seeds that have spent a little too long at room temperature.
Aside from the protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals they contain, one of the primary reasons health buffs love nuts (like pecans!) and seeds is that they are loaded with healthy, unsaturated fats. These fats are known to help reduce inflammation throughout the body, lower cholesterol levels, and keep our cells, skin, hair, and nails strong and vibrant.
But these healthy fats are also to blame for the relatively short shelf life of nuts and seeds. All fats are made from carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms bonded together. The difference between unsaturated and saturated fats is how “saturated” the fat molecule’s carbon atoms are with hydrogen atoms. So, the carbon atoms on a saturated fat molecule will be fully bonded with hydrogen atoms, whereas an unsaturated fat molecule won’t be.
This results in unsaturated fats being less stable molecules, and more prone to oxidation, which leads to rancidity. That's the case with nuts and seeds, which are loaded with them. Interestingly, this is why foods made with those dreaded trans fats are so shelf stable. Trans fats are manmade, using the process of hydrogenation—the addition of hydrogen atoms to an unsaturated fat—which yields a product that can last at room temperature on grocery store shelves for quite a long time.
But beyond the unsaturated fat found in nuts and seeds, these healthy snacks are also prone to growing mold and yeast. Much of the mold that can grow on nuts and seeds isn’t life-threatening. However, there have been batches that have growing harmful molds like aflatoxin, which has caused food recalls of peanut products over the years. This is why you’ll often find only a small handful of nut options allowed on low-mold and low-yeast eating regimes like the candida diet.
Thankfully, there are lots of ways you can avoid rancid, moldy nuts—and that starts with smart storage. 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.
But the freezer is really where it’s at when it comes to storing nuts, as they can easily last up to a year in there—with some experts saying up to two years! Plus, you won’t even notice that your nuts have been frozen. They can be snacked on or added to recipes right out of the freezer, without any significant change in texture.
The less processing, the longer the shelf life when it comes to nuts and seeds. So, in-shell nuts will last the longest, whereas finely chopped and roasted options will have the shortest shelf life. (This is why many people to store their nut butters in the fridge.)
Also, while it might be a sound environmental decision, it’s best to avoid bulk bins when maintaining freshness is your top priority—it’s impossible to tell how long those nuts have been sitting out at room temperature. The best way to go is to purchase nuts in an airtight container.
It’s also a good idea to store nuts and seeds in low-light environments and air-tight containers, though light won’t be an issue at all if they’re tucked into the freezer.
Nuts are the ultimate snack, offering protein, fiber, and healthy fat to leave you feeling satisfied and energized. However, because of all the healthy fats they contain, these crunchy favorites are more at risk for spoilage than other snack options. By storing nuts in the freezer, you can get the most shelf life out of them, keeping them fresh and mold-free for an entire 365!
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.
Nuts are a high-fat food with a majority of that fat being unsaturated. Unsaturated fats are more delicate than saturated fats. That fragility makes them more susceptible to rancidity when exposed to air, light, moisture or heat. And rancid nuts are a quick way to ruin your recipe (and your appetite).
So to preserve them, it's best to store nuts in the refrigerator, says Richard LaMarita, chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education. The coolness of the refrigerator will keep unsaturated fats from breaking down, ultimately slowing down spoilage.
Depending on the type, they can range from six to nine months when stored in a pantry or other dry place. However, some types, such as pine nuts, have a shorter shelf life of approximately two months. On the other hand, almonds can last the longest, approximately nine to twelve months.
Why? Because nuts contain a high amount of unsaturated fat, a delicate type of oil, which makes them highly prone to going rancid. Spoilage is accelerated even more in the presence of light, oxygen, and heat.
Nuts' fragile unsaturated fats can go rancid quickly. While that may not hurt your health, it can definitely be bad news for flavor. Keep nuts tasting fresh by stowing them in a sealed plastic or glass container in the refrigerator for four to six months.
Overbay estimates that most nuts will stay fresh for at least a year if properly stored in the freezer. Opt for freezer-safe glass if possible; Schaich avoids using more porous plastic containers because nuts can pick up smells from other foods.
They can be kept in the refrigerator with many of the same benefits, but will only stay fresh for about half as long as if they were stored in the freezer. Due to their tendency to absorb odors, nuts should be kept in an airtight container away from pungent ingredients like onions and garlic.
The first sign of cashews that are no longer good is mold growth. This is particularly common when the nuts have been in the pantry for a long time. If there is any sign of mold, you should discard the entire package immediately.
All nuts (except for coconuts) are suspect for mold: Brazil nuts, pistachios, pine nuts, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and cashews are some of the worst offenders, even though they're some of the healthiest fats for weight loss.
While our tables list the time frame that nuts are good beyond their printed date, if you can't find any date on your package, you can expect most shelled varieties to last about 2 years. For opened packages, it's best to take a whiff before serving.
Nuts with higher fat content, like walnuts and pecans can also go rancid after a few months if stored at too warm a temperature. If you notice that your nuts have taken on a noticeably bitter, sour flavor, they may have entered this unfortunate phase.
Raw nuts can be stored in an airtight container in a cool dark place for six to 12 months. The fridge or freezer is ideal. Nuts can be refrigerated for up to four months and frozen for up to six months. Store ground almonds in an airtight container in a cool dark place for a couple of weeks.
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.
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.
How Long Do Shelled Walnuts Last in The Pantry? The shelf life of shelled walnuts at room temperature can range from about 2 to 4 weeks and up to two months above room temperature under optimal conditions.
“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.”
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Introduction: My name is Msgr. Benton Quitzon, I am a comfortable, charming, thankful, happy, adventurous, handsome, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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