How to Store Raw Nuts

You can freeze shell-less nuts for up to a year.

Many commercially available nuts are already salted and roasted, which can be very convenient if you wish to simply open a package of nuts and enjoy a tasty snack. But raw nuts offer a great deal more versatility. You can salt and roast them yourself, which allows you to control both the amount of salt and the roasting time. You can also use raw nuts in preparations that you will roast, as pre-roasted nuts could overcook or even burn in these dishes. However, raw nuts can go bad within a few weeks if you do not store them properly.

Things You'll Need

• Airtight container(s)

Instructions

1. Put your raw nuts into an airtight container. Use multiple containers if necessary rather than packing the nuts into one container so tightly that they crack or break.

2. Close the container. The seal should be airtight to extend the life of the nuts, which will turn rancid significantly more quickly if they are constantly exposed to fresh air.

3. Place the sealed airtight container into your refrigerator if you plan to use the nuts within several months. If not, put them in the freezer instead. You can freeze most nuts for as long as a year before the quality begins to decline noticeably.

Tips & Warnings

• Store the nuts whole even if you will break or grind them later. Whole nuts stay good longer than nut pieces.

• Leave the nuts in their shells if possible. You can keep nuts in their shells at room temperature in a cool, dry place for up to a year.

References

• The World's Healthiest Foods: Almonds
• The Cook's Thesaurus: Nuts

Resources

• University of California Davis: Fruit & Nut Research & Information Center