How long can I keep nuts?

Nuts, in particular walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios and cashew nuts, are very nutritious foods. Rich in fibre, minerals and vitamins, they are real health allies. That is why it is important to eat them often.

The best time to eat garden nuts is between August and October. At this time, you will have the chance to enjoy fresh fruits with exquisite flavours. However, even if it is not yet harvest time for these nuts, you can eat them all year round.

Walnuts, almonds and pistachios have a long shelf life. These products can be eaten even after their expiry date. But to do this, it is important to respect certain storage conditions.

The importance of storing your nuts and oilseeds properly

As a bonus, it is essential to respect certain conditions when preserving nuts in order to keep their properties. This will allow you to enjoy all the health benefits of these products. With proper storage, you can enjoy the flavour of fresh nuts and hazelnuts. 

Be aware that improper storage can alter the taste qualities of these foods. Heat, air and humidity cause the unsaturated oils in almonds, pistachios, walnuts and hazelnuts to oxidise. At this point, the product will become rancid, taste unpleasant and be inedible. 

Nuts that have not aged well may also give off an unpleasant oily smell, indicating that they are no longer edible. So, to keep the quality and properties of your nuts for a long time, proper storage conditions are important. 

How to store nuts?

In case of bad storage conditions, nuts can become rancid in a very short time. To keep the taste and freshness of nuts, it is best to store them in the refrigerator. To do this, it is necessary to place the shelled nuts in a glass jar or airtight container. Fresh nuts can also be frozen. In this case, they can be stored for up to 2 years. 

Unshelled nuts can be stored in a cool place, away from light, moisture and rodents. The temperature of the storage room should not exceed 20°C. Thus, dried (how to dry nuts) and shelled nuts can be stored for 6 months. How long can hazelnuts be stored? In order for hazelnuts to retain their flavour, try not to store them for more than 6 months, taking care to keep them tightly sealed and away from light.

The nut is a fruit that is very rich in quality proteins, antioxidants, vitamin E and omega-3. Despite the many health benefits of this nut, it is still not widely consumed in France. The consumption of nuts in France is 500 g per capita per year, compared to 2.5 kg in Spain.  

Storing shelled hazelnuts is as simple as the method described above.

How to store almonds?

When stored correctly, almonds can be kept for a long time. If stored in a cool, dry place and at a temperature below 5°C, the whole fruit can be kept for up to 2 years without losing their qualities. The food can also be stored at room temperature in the kitchen. In this case, its shelf life is between 9 to 12 months after their best before date.

This nut can also be stored in the freezer for at least 1 year. Like nuts, storing this product in the freezer will limit its exposure to light and heat. These two factors are responsible for the rancidity of nuts as well as many other foods.

For a better preservation, it is also possible to grind the almonds finely and put it in a plastic bag or in a glass container. Then you can store it in your kitchen cupboard in a cool place. You can use this powder for various recipes, especially for baking.  

Tips for maintaining the quality of pistachios

The best time to eat pistachios is in autumn, between August and October. However, it is possible to find them all year round. Pistachios are one of the most energetic foods. 100 g of pistachios provide about 580 Kcal. Rich in fibre, vitamins B6 and C, this product is also a real source of potassium, iron and phosphorus. 

To get the full benefit of pistachios, the product should be eaten fresh and well ripened. To ensure that pistachios remain fresh and retain their quality, proper storage conditions are essential. Pistachios can be stored with or without shells. Unshelled nuts can be stored in a cool place in the kitchen. In this way, they will remain edible for up to 6 months. 

It is also possible to store pistachio nuts in the freezer. In this case, it is necessary to put the product in a glass container or a polythene bag. If stored in this way, the pistachios will not lose their quality for at least one year. 

Cashew nuts

The cashew nut is a high-calorie fruit that is increasingly consumed throughout the world. Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s leading cashew nut producer. When exposed to heat, this product can go rancid very quickly. It is therefore best to store these nuts in the fridge or freezer. 

Like all other nuts, it is advisable to put them in an airtight container first. Cashew nuts can be stored for up to a year. An unopened bag of cashew nuts will keep its quality for 6 to 9 months after its expiry date. 

Pecans and pine nuts

Pecans are high in calories, but low in saturated fatty acids. Pecans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. In this way, they can be stored for 1 to 2 years. However, when stored in the dark in their packaging, they can be consumed 6 months after their expiry date.

Pine nuts are the main ingredient of the famous pesto sauce. They are also widely used to garnish salads. Pine nuts add a mild and subtle flavour to dishes. Stored in their packaging, pine nuts are still edible after 2 months of their expiration date. If stored in the refrigerator, they can be kept for 2 to 3 months and for about 6 months in the freezer.