In this article we will talk about walnuts and their shelf life. First we will tell you something more about these nuts and then we will show you how to store them properly.
Read on and find out how long do walnuts last.
More about Walnuts
Walnut is the nut of the genus Juglans. Walnuts actually belong to the tree nut family that also includes hazelnuts, pine nuts, pistachios, Brazil nuts and cashews. Walnuts, as well as other parts of the tree nut family, have a lot of health benefits for people. Walnuts are rich in vitamin E and other nutrients, but they are high in calories, so you should not eat large amounts of these nuts if you want to lose weight.
However, walnuts can be a healthy snack if eaten moderately. They are loaded with unsaturated fats which lower a bad cholesterol and raise a good cholesterol.
What is the Shelf Life of Walnuts?
The shelf life of walnuts depends on the best by date and on the way of their storage. If walnuts are stored properly, they will last much longer. Unlike other proteins, walnuts usually have a best by date and they don’t have an expiration date. Because of that, you can use walnuts beyond their best by date.
If you store walnuts in the pantry they will last about two or four weeks, whereas in the fridge they can last for up to six months. If you store walnuts in the freeze they will last about a year or so.
How To Store Walnuts Properly?
Walnuts must be stored properly because of their high oil content. It is important to store walnuts in a dry and cool place. It is not necessary to store them in the fridge, but it will certainly extend their shelf life. If you keep walnuts in warm environments they will quickly go rancid.
Walnuts should be stored in an airtight container, which will protect them from moisture and other contaminants. It is also important to protect walnuts from odors of other foods that are stored nearby. So it is best to store walnuts in a canning jar with a lid that is sealed tightly. It is known that opened packages of walnuts will last for a shorter period of time, so if you buy a large bag of walnuts, you should put them into smaller jars or bags. It is recommended to keep these walnuts in the fridge.
Also, you can freeze nuts, if you want to store them for a long term. You should use airtight freezer safe containers that will preserve the taste of your walnuts. Shelled walnuts will be refrozen easily and they will not lose their texture or flavor.
How To Tell if Walnuts Have Gone Bad?
Your senses will tell you if your walnuts have gone bad. Actually, if walnuts have gone rancid, they smell like paint, which is very unpleasant odor.
Also, spoiled walnuts have a bitter and very unpleasant taste. It is possible that you notice a mold that has appeared in your walnuts. If you notice any of these changes, you should discard the walnuts.
Summary
As you have seen in this article, walnuts won’t quickly go bad, but they can spoil if you don’t store them properly. We have shown you how you should store the walnuts and how to tell if they have gone bad. Now that you know the shelf life of walnuts and how they should be stored, you don’t have to worry. We are pretty sure that you will eat the walnuts before they go rancid.
