Storing walnuts, ways to keep them fresh for as long as possible

Walnut harvest is in full swing and that is great but what should you do with all those tasty nuts? Sounds funny but many people do not know the answer. Walnuts must be stored properly to prevent mould and rot. All nuts are mainly made of fat and should be stored in a cold place. If you notice dark spots or black kernels, it is usually too late to take an action. These walnuts most likely have lost their typical taste and you need to use them as soon as possible but do not consume walnuts that show signs of deterioration.

Storage requirements

The fat in walnuts is what makes them a good source of healthy fats, but it also makes them difficult to store. A warm temperature makes walnuts go bad very quickly. If you do not have the time to process walnuts within three months, you should store them in your refrigerator. Cold and dark rooms are ideal for short term but not for a long-term storage. If you want a long-term storage you need to freeze them.

Photo: Pixabay

Freezing walnuts

How should you freeze walnuts? Airtight containers are best but you need to remove kernels from shelves of course. You can store the whole kernels or you may chop them or even grate them – depending on what you will be using them for. Put walnuts in the freezer as soon as possible. Freezing significantly slows down the degradation process, but it does not stop it completely! Walnuts will last for about a year in the freezer.

Walnuts and odours

Walnuts absorb odours quickly. So, if you want to store them in the fridge, place them where you do not have any aromatic foods, such as onions. Sooner or later walnuts will could taste like onions and that is a bad taste for Christmas cookies. You need to use airtight containers regardless whether you store them in the fridge or freezer.

Source:

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/preserving_fresh_walnuts_to_maintain_nutritional_content

https://www.thekitchn.com/how-do-i-store-walnuts-226652

Preview photo: Pixabay