This article is about almonds. Most people enjoy eating a couple of almonds as a snack because of their wonderful flavor and great health benefits. But, have you ever wondered how long can almonds last? Do almonds require refrigeration or you can store them in your pantry?
In this article you will get the answers to these and similar questions. We will tell you what is the shelf life of almonds and how you should store them properly.
Also, we will help you to extend the shelf life of almonds and to check whether your almonds have gone bad or they are still safe to consume. Read on and find out more about almonds.
More about Almonds
Almonds are close relatives to peaches, apricots and plums. An almond consists of fleshy fruit and a stony pit that presents an almond nut. There are two types of almonds – sweet almonds which are edible and bitter almonds that are toxic. Like all other nuts, almonds are rich in unsaturated oils which can go rancid after a few months of storage.
Almonds also contain vitamin E and other antioxidants, so they are very healthy for people. Below you will see more about almonds’ shelf life and their storage.
What Is the Shelf Life of Almonds?
The answer to the question how long do almonds last depends mostly on the storage conditions. Almonds have a high oil content and they must be stored properly. If almonds are stored properly they can last for months, but after a certain time they can go bad. You can extend the shelf life of almonds by providing ideal conditions for their storage.
If you store the almonds in the fridge you can slow the oxidizing process and extend the shelf life of almonds to a year if almonds are in the shell. If almonds are shelled their shelf life in the fridge will be for up to nine months. If you keep the almonds in the freezer they will last for up to two years.
How To Store Almonds Properly?
Proper storage is the most important if you want to extend the shelf life of almonds. It is recommended to store almonds in a dry and cool area. If almonds are exposed to high temperatures, direct light or humidity, it can speed an oxidation process. When you open the package you should place almonds in an airtight container that is sealed tightly. It is important to keep almonds away from moisture and other contaminants.
Also, if you keep almonds in an airtight container you will protect them from the odors from other foods nearby. It is best to put the container with almonds in the fridge.
Also, you can place an original package of almonds in a heavy-duty freezer bag. It is best to use airtight plastic freezer bags or vacuum bags rather than plastic containers. This way you will prevent ice-crystal formation and also a freezer burn. Also, you will extend the shelf life of almonds and the almonds will not change in texture or flavor during the storage. Almonds can be easily thawed and refrozen.
How To tell if Almonds Have Gone Bad?
If almonds have gone bad they will develop a bitter taste and an off odor. Also, rancid almonds will certainly change in appearance and texture. In this case they should be discarded. But, it is also possible to have almonds that haven’t developed any rancid flavors from oxidation although their expiration date has passed.
If you want to restore the crisp and the flavor of your almonds, you can simply place them on a baking sheet and toast them for about 10-15 minutes. In this case it is important to cool the almonds before returning them to an airtight container in the fridge.
Summary
We hope this article was interesting and useful for you. Now that you know what is the shelf life of almonds and how you should store them properly, we are pretty sure that you will use the almonds before they go bad.
As you have seen, almonds can last longer than other nuts if they are stored properly. If you store them in the freezer you can significantly prolong their shelf life.
