In this article we will talk about peanuts and their shelf life. If you also like peanuts you may be wondering how long they can last in your pantry or in the fridge.
Now you will learn how to store peanuts properly and how to extend their shelf life. We hope this article will be interesting and useful for you.
More about Peanuts
A peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is also known as groundnut and it is a crop of great importance all over the world. It is grown in tropical and subtropical areas. From the nutritional point of view, peanuts are similar to walnuts and almonds and they are widely used for culinary purposes.
Peanuts are rich in nutrients and they have many health benefits for people. You can use peanuts on many different ways, such as dry roasted peanuts, boiled peanuts, fried peanuts, raw peanuts, etc. There is also peanut flour and peanut oil that is usually used in cooking.
What Is the Shelf Life of Peanuts?
The shelf life of peanuts depends mostly on storage conditions. Also, it is known that peanuts in the shell have longer shelf life than shelled peanuts. Peanuts are rich in oils and they must be stored properly, in order to avoid them to become rancid. If you store unshelled peanuts in the fridge they will stay fresh for up to nine months, whereas shelled peanuts will remain fresh only for three to six months.
If you have boiled peanuts, their shelf life is very short and they must be refrigerated. If they are at room temperature they will last only three or four days. The shelf life of roasted peanuts is about a year, if they remain in a vacuum pack.
How To Store Peanuts Properly?
Proper storage of peanuts means that you should store them in a dry, cool and dark place, away from moisture and other contaminants. Unshelled peanuts should be kept in the pantry. If peanuts are exposed to direct sunlight, high temperatures and moisture, they will easily go bad.
Also, if peanuts are exposed to air they will certainly lose their crunch within a few days. It is best to keep peanuts in the fridge, regardless of whether they are shelled or unshelled. When you open the package, it is recommended to refrigerate the peanuts.
Actually, you should place peanuts in an airtight container that is sealed tightly. If you want to further extend the shelf life of peanuts, you can put an original package of peanuts in a heavy-duty freezer bag and place it in the freezer. Unshelled peanuts will be easily thawed and refrozen and, what is the most important, they will not lose their flavor or texture. When it comes to boiled peanuts, they must be stored in the fridge or in the freezer. Otherwise, they will become rancid within a couple of days.
How to Tell if Peanuts Have Gone Bad?
You will easily notice if your peanuts are rancid. When you open the container peanuts will be smelly and slimy. Also, if the peanuts have gone bad they will change in flavor and texture.
Sometimes you may also notice mold that has appeared in peanuts. All these are the signs that your peanuts have gone rancid and you should discard them.
Summary
As you have seen in this article, peanuts have a shelf life of about a couple of months, depending on storage conditions. Although unshelled peanuts don’t need to be refrigerated, it is always best to store peanuts in the fridge. If peanuts smell bad, you should discard them.
