Proper storage allows you to keep your nuts fresh for up to a year rather than discovering a rancid surprise when you least expect it.
Do you keep nuts in the pantry? It appears to be a logical location; it’s dark and cool, and your potatoes seem to enjoy it there, so why not nuts? However, if you keep your nuts in your pantry, you should reconsider because your freezer is the best place to keep them fresh.
Why Not the Pantry?
The pantry is a good place to keep an unopened package of nuts for a couple of days, but if you want to extend their life, put them in the freezer immediately. Nuts contain a lot of fat, the majority of which is unsaturated. Unsaturated fats are less prone to oxidation than saturated fats. However, their fragility makes them more susceptible to rancidity when exposed to air, light, moisture, or heat. And rancid nuts will quickly ruin your recipe.
The Best Way to Store Nuts
Remember that nuts dislike air, light, moisture, and heat. Sure, they’re a little high-maintenance, but luckily, a spot in your kitchen is just right for them. Yes, the freezer, and Bryan Roof, Editorial Director at Cook’s Country, concurs. He claims that the freezer is the best place to keep nuts because it is dark and cold. But, of course, the same can be said for seeds.
But does the cold affect the flavor? Amanda Baker Lemein, MS, RD, Golin’s VP of Nutrition and Wellness, who works with the National Peanut Board, confirms the opposite. Because of their low water content, cold temperatures have little effect on the flavor of nuts.
Roof suggests placing nuts in an airtight container (a zip-top bag works well) and removing as much air as possible before sealing and storing. Most raw, whole nuts (if shelled) will keep their quality in your freezer for 6 months to a year. Unshelled nuts have a longer shelf life, usually around 1 1/2 years.
How to Make This Work for You
It may appear inconvenient to keep your nuts in the freezer. And if your freezer is anything like mine, you’ll have to dig through the abyss to find anything you need. But you’ve already spent money on these nuts, so let’s look at ways to make freezer storage work for you.
Mark your container. Before you put your nuts in the freezer, use tape and a permanent marker to label and date them. If it helps, write down the date you want to use them so you can enjoy them within a reasonable time frame.
Make a space for yourself. Place your nuts in a convenient location in your freezer. Put the nuts you’ll be reaching for the most in the front, so you can grab them and go.
Use the proper container. When storing nuts in the freezer, use an airtight container. Jessie Carpenter, MS, RD, owner of Nutrition Prescription LLC, suggests using an airtight jar, zip-top bag, or other food-safe container with a tightly fitting lid. For maximum freshness, you could also use a vacuum sealer.
The Bottom Line
To keep your nuts tasting fresh and lasting as long as possible, store them in an airtight container in your freezer. When stored properly, most nuts should last up to a year. Label your container with what’s inside, the date you stored it, and your preferred “use-by” date. Place the container in an easily accessible location. Then simply take what you need as you need it because frozen nuts can be eaten straight from the freezer.
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