Learn how to properly store walnuts to prevent them from turning rancid.
The nutrient and phytochemical benefits contained in walnuts make them a terrific heart healthy food choice. With the high oil content of walnuts (18 grams per ounce) Michigan State University Extension encourages proper storage and temperature control to maintain freshness to keep this tree nut from turning rancid.
A one ounce serving of walnuts equals 1/4 cup or 12 to 14 walnut halves and provides important omega-3 fatty acids, two grams of fiber and four grams of protein. Walnuts are sodium free, cholesterol free and contain twice the antioxidants compared to other nuts.
It is the oil content of walnuts, though mostly healthier polyunsaturated fat, that makes proper storage important. Exposure to warm temperatures for long periods of time will cause the fat in walnuts to change and turn rancid. You can tell walnuts are turning old if they are rubbery or shriveled. They have turned rancid if they have a strange odor similar to paint thinner. Throw away rancid walnuts!
Store shelled or unshelled walnuts safely in an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place. The refrigerator is a great choice as walnuts will remain fresh for up to three months. You can also freeze walnuts for up to one year.
Walnuts will absorb odors so it is best to place them at distance from foods with strong odors, such as onions. Airtight containers provide the best protection to maintain freshness. When purchasing walnuts in bulk it is best to transfer the nuts into airtight containers when you get home.
Walnuts are available year-round in grocery stores, and readily seen during the harvest months of August through November. California boasts growing 99 percent of the walnuts used in the U.S., however in Michigan locally grown black walnuts can be found.
Proper storage is easy and helps to maintain the delicious, crunchy taste and health benefits of walnuts, making them a perfect choice for your family’s shopping list.
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FAQs
Store shelled or unshelled walnuts safely in an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place. The refrigerator is a great choice as walnuts will remain fresh for up to three months. You can also freeze walnuts for up to one year.
How do you preserve raw walnuts? ›
HOW TO STORE WALNUTS. If you buy walnuts in sealed packaging, you can store the walnuts in their original packaging in the refrigerator or freezer. Once you open the bag, transfer the walnuts to an airtight container to maintain freshness and then place them back in the refrigerator or freezer.
Should you freeze walnuts to keep them fresh? ›
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. 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.
How do you cure fresh walnuts? ›
Drying Walnuts
After washing and sorting, allow the nuts to dry for two or three weeks. An excellent way to dry nuts is on a wire screen. Spread the nuts in shallow layers (no more than three nuts deep)and dry them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. A shed or garage is usually a good place to dry walnuts.
How to prevent walnuts from going rancid? ›
Immediately transfer nuts to an airtight container.
The second best: Put your nuts in a resealable plastic bag and press out as much air as possible before sealing, then store the bag in a glass container. The good enough method: Put nuts in a glass container, ideally one with as little empty space as possible.
How long do walnuts last in a Mason jar? ›
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.
Can you store walnuts in a Mason jar? ›
Containers that have air-tight seals like glass jars and plastic containers should be used when storing nuts. This ensures your stored nuts will maintain the proper moisture level.
What is the best way to store walnuts long term? ›
The refrigerator is a great choice as walnuts will remain fresh for up to three months. You can also freeze walnuts for up to one year. Walnuts will absorb odors so it is best to place them at distance from foods with strong odors, such as onions. Airtight containers provide the best protection to maintain freshness.
Does freezing nuts destroy nutrients? ›
Freezing food doesn't kill nutrients.
Can you eat walnuts straight from the tree? ›
Wondering if you can eat a black walnut from a tree in your yard or foraged from the woods? The answer is yes, but first you need to know how to harvest black walnuts and crack their tough shells. Use these simple harvesting tips so you can enjoy these native nuts as a snack or as a flavorful addition to baked goods.
Walnuts should be soaked because doing so makes them easier for the body to digest than eating them raw. The phytic acid found in nuts, which is reduced by soaking walnuts, contributes to increased absorption as well. Raw walnut digestion may be more difficult for those with weak gut.
Why do you soak raw walnuts? ›
Omega-3 fatty acids, known for their heart-healthy properties, are more readily absorbed when walnuts are soaked, boosting cardiovascular benefits. Antioxidants become more available, helping to combat oxidative stress and inflammation, while vitamins and minerals contribute to improved overall wellness.
What's the best way to freeze walnuts? ›
How to Freeze Walnuts
- Wrap. Wrap walnuts in Glad® Freezer Wrap and place into a Freezer Zipper bag.
- Squeeze. Squeeze excess air from bags before sealing the top.
- Place in the freezer.
Excessive consumption of walnuts may cause diarrhea, bloating, stomach pain or kidney stones. Due to the phytic acid they contain, too many walnuts may also inhibit the absorption of dietary iron, calcium and zinc. Recommendation: One ounce (10-14) English walnut halves per day.
Why do my walnuts taste bitter? ›
That astringent note in walnuts comes from the tannins found in the paper-thin skin that covers the walnut. That bitterness is a perfect counterpoint to all the sweet notes in these rugelach.
How long can you keep raw walnuts? ›
Store shelled or unshelled walnuts safely in an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place. The refrigerator is a great choice as walnuts will remain fresh for up to three months. You can also freeze walnuts for up to one year.
How do you dry and store walnuts? ›
If the nuts are good, remove all traces of the fibrous casing with a wire brush before storage to prevent mould developing. Gloves should be worn when removing the casings as walnuts stain the skin. Dry the nuts in a cool oven at no more than 40°C (104°F) Once fully dry, store them in a cool dry place.
