Where is the best place to store walnuts to keep them fresh? (2024)

FAQs

Where is the best place to store walnuts to keep them fresh? ›

Store in air-tight packaging. Store away from foods with strong odors, like cabbage and onions. For short-term storage, keep them in your refrigerator. If you'll be storing them for a month or longer, store them in your freezer.

HOW TO STORE WALNUTS. If you buy walnuts in sealed packaging, you can store the walnuts in their original packaging in the refrigerator or freezer. Once you open the bag, transfer the walnuts to an airtight container to maintain freshness and then place them back in the refrigerator or freezer.

The refrigerator is a great choice as walnuts will remain fresh for up to three months. You can also freeze walnuts for up to one year. Walnuts will absorb odors so it is best to place them at distance from foods with strong odors, such as onions. Airtight containers provide the best protection to maintain freshness.

Walnut kernels, or shelled walnuts, can go bad in three months, whereas whole unshelled walnuts have a shelf life of up to a year when properly stored, and will likely still contain high levels of nutrients.

Spoilage is accelerated even more in the presence of light, oxygen, and heat. Storing nuts (and seeds) in the fridge or freezer limits their exposure to all three of these, and will result in your nuts tasting less bitter and more flavorful for a longer period of time.

The general rule is that most nuts retain quality for a few months. However, this does not mean that nuts will remain in good condition for an extended period. Shelled nuts stored at room temperature are expected to last six to nine months. Non-shelled nuts will last for four to six months.

How many walnuts should you eat in a day? A 2021 article on the effect of walnut consumption found that consuming 30–60 grams of walnuts daily is beneficial for heart health. 30–60 grams is the same as 1–2 ounces or a 1/4–1/2 cup of walnuts.

Squirrels are quite happy to eat nuts with or without the shell, indeed it's the process of extracting a nut from its shell gives the squirrel exercise and a way of sharpening its teeth.

Walnuts Benefits. Walnuts are rich in polyunsaturated fats, which are better for you than saturated fats. They're also high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Studies show that eating walnuts can help lower your overall cholesterol levels as well as LDL “bad” cholesterol.

The Best Way to Store Nuts

The refrigerator, yes, but specifically, LaMarita recommends refrigerating nuts in air-tight glass jars. Store any extra nuts in the freezer in the bags they came in, he says. (If you don't have the original bags, consider using a freezer-safe air-tight container instead.)

Where is the best place to store nuts? ›

When storing nuts, the freezer is your friend. This dark, cold space slows the deterioration of the nut's oils, a process that directly impacts flavor. Light, oxygen, and heat are the enemies of nuts.

Nuts turn stale due to exposure, so the best way to keep them fresh is to reduce exposure to air! Store your favourite nuts in an airtight container or bag, to reduce the amount of oxygen it is exposed to. This ensures your stored nuts also maintain the proper moisture level.

Storing them before they're properly dried will result in mold issues and rotting. Store the nuts until you're ready to use them. Once they're completely dry, place them in mesh bags or baskets. Store them in a cool, dark place, such as a cellar, or freeze them in your freezer.

When choosing a container, use one that is airtight. You can use Tupperware, plastic baggies, freezer bags, or even mason jars. Glass and plastic containers are preferred over plastic bags. Since plastic bags are permeable, it is easy for odors to seep into the bag.