Perhaps you only used half of a box of walnuts to make that fancy salad.
Maybe you forgot to make a coffee cake with the remaining half.
And now you’re here wondering:
Are my walnuts bad, oh no! How do I tell? Are they properly stored?
We’ll answer all these questions today and more.
TLDR: The key thing you want to avoid with walnuts is rancidification – when fat reacts with oxygen, making the walnuts taste bad.
The best preventative measures are the walnut’s shell itself, a sealed container, darkness, and stable cold temperatures.
What to do if your walnuts are off?
Your walnuts probably aren’t off unless you’ve forgotten about them for Ages.
There are good chances that Instead, your walnuts have gone rancid. Rancidity refers to when fats in food react negatively with oxygen in the atmosphere, creating a bad smell and taste.
Shelled walnutsIt acts as a protective shell, so make sure you check this. Check to see if the shell has been removed. It looks strange if it has dried out or shrunk.. If it’s exhibiting any of these signs, you can crack it open to double-check, but the likelihood is that your walnuts have gone rancid.
You can shell walnuts. What should you look for? Mold And sniff You can smell it to see if there is anything unusual about the scent. If the walnuts passed these tests, you can give them a nibble. It will taste bitter if it’s rancid, but it won’t be harmful unless consumed in large quantities.
How to store walnuts
Although shelled walnuts may be more convenient, unshelled walnuts include their protective barrier, meaning you don’t have to worry so much about your storage methods. That’s also why you shouldn’t shell walnuts before you need them.
Keep unshelled walnuts dry in a dark, cool place.Avoid heat, light and other sources. It would make sense to have a pantry or cool cabinet.
Shelled walnuts are more exposed to air, so they’ll go rancid faster. You should therefore keep them either in an An unopened package or an airtight box in the fridge or freezer. It’s important to make sure the packet or container is sealed, as this will stop oxygen from meeting the fats of the walnut and rancidifying them, plus it will block moisture and odors from the surroundings.
For more information, see Chop or grind nutsYou can chop, grind or pulse them before you add them to your recipes. A packet of nuts can be chopped or ground. When you return home, store them in the fridge. Once you have opened it, You should choose an airtight container for your refrigerator.
What is the life expectancy of walnuts?
Your expectations are high Unshelled walnuts will last for a year in your pantry And about They can be renewed for a period of 1-2 months after their expiration dates.
Top Tip Your unshelled walnuts should be stored in your pantry. That way, if one batch spoils, it won’t ruin your whole collection of walnuts.
Shelled walnuts last for six months in the fridge and more than a year in freezer.
Here are some key takeaways about walnuts
- For more information, visit Rancidification signs if you’re worried your walnuts have gone bad. A strange looking shell, unusual smell or bitter taste are the easiest signs.
- Shelled walnuts are more durable than unshelled onesThey can also be kept in the pantry.
- Keep your walnut shells safe in the fridge
