If you’ve ever bitten into a rancid nut, then you’ll know that it’s not a pleasant experience and often means that the whole batch has sadly become stale and will need to be thrown out. Walnuts, in particular, have gotten themselves a bit of a bad reputation as a nut that goes bad very quickly, and this is due to their nutritional composition. So why do walnuts go stale more quickly than other nuts? And how can you store them to make them last longer? Read on to find out more. But if youve only started eating walnuts recently you might find our article on Everything You Need To Know About Walnuts a little more useful.
To understand why walnuts go rancid so quickly, we first need to know a little more about the process of rancidification itself. Rancidification happens when fats and oils are exposed to air, light, moisture or bacteria, causing them to oxidize and to change at a molecular level. When oxidation occurs, fatty acids and oils, like those found in nuts, begin to change into short-chain aldehydes and ketones, which taste unpleasant and smell bad.
The reason why walnuts go rancid so quickly is that they contain a very high level of fatty acids, meaning that they are more susceptible to oxidation when stored incorrectly. Other nuts that go rancid very quickly include pistachios and pine nuts, which also have a very high-fat content. The good news is that the oxidation process can be slowed down by storing nuts correctly.
Before worrying about storing walnuts make sure you are buying fresh, good quality walnuts so your chances of a rancid walnut are slim to none! Check out our blog post on How To Make Sure Your Getting Fresh Quality Walnuts
You can tell walnuts are turning old if they are rubbery or shriveled. They have turned rancid if they have a strange odor similar to paint thinner. Throw away rancid walnuts! Store shelled or unshelled walnuts safely in an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place.
How to store walnuts to stop them going rancid
The key to stopping walnuts from going rancid is to protect them from the key factors that cause oxidation, which include moisture, light, air and bacteria. Walnut shells naturally protect walnuts from some of these factors, increasing their shelf life, but shelled walnuts have no natural defense.
To improve the shelf life of your walnuts, always store them in a clean airtight container, this will prevent moisture and air from getting to them and will also stop unwanted odours from tarnishing their flavour. To protect them from sunlight, store them in a dark place or in a dark-tinted container. Another common enemy of walnuts is temperature, and so to extend the shelf life of your nuts even further, you may also want to consider storing them in the fridge or even the freezer. When stored correctly in the pantry walnuts can last for up to 4 weeks, this can be extended to 12 months in the fridge and up to 24 months in the freezer.
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. If you buy bulk walnuts, either in-shell or shelled, place the walnuts in an airtight container for long-term cold storage.
Available in bags and in bulk bins, typically in the produce section. Buy for holiday decorating, festive snacking, and for social after-meal cracking sessions. Most readily available during the fall and winter months, so if you like to have in-shell walnuts on hand throughout the year, be sure to stock up in the fall!
Regardless of if you have shelled or in-shell walnuts, wait to chop or shell them until you’re ready to use them. The same applies for ground walnut meal; don’t grind walnuts until you’re ready to add the walnut meal to your recipe. This will help maintain great flavor. Generated with Avocode.Generated with Avocode.
You can maintain the fresh taste of California walnuts by keeping them cold. Walnuts go rancid when exposed to warm temperatures for long periods of time. Heat causes the fat in walnuts to change structure, which creates off odors and flavors. Fresh walnuts smell mildly nutty and taste sweet. If your walnuts smell like paint thinner, you know they’re rancid. And if they’re rancid, you should throw them away!
When you bring walnuts (shelled or in-shell) home from the store, the best place to store them is in your refrigerator or freezer, depending on when you’re going to use them. If you’re going to use the walnuts right away, place them in your refrigerator. If you’ll be storing them for a month or longer, store them in your freezer.
Do nuts ever go bad?
FAQ
Is it OK to eat old walnuts?
Do bagged walnuts go bad?
What do walnuts smell like when they go bad?
How can you tell if walnuts are no good?
How do you know if walnuts are bad?
Taste: Sample a small piece of the nut. Fresh walnuts have a mild, slightly sweet flavor. If the nuts taste bitter, sour, or off in any way, it’s a sign of spoilage. Texture: Feel the nuts for any soft or mushy spots. Fresh walnuts should be firm and crunchy. If the nuts feel soft or mushy, it’s a sign of moisture damage or mold growth.
What are the negative health effects of Walnuts?
Although walnuts are abundant in health promoting nutrients including healthy fats, fiber, plant sterols, vitamins, and minerals, they can also have negative effects. For example, allergic reactions to walnuts can occur in those with tree nut allergies. If consumed in excess their high fiber content can cause digestive discomfort, bloating, and diarrhea. Walnuts are calorie dense and can potentially lead to weight gain if consumed regularly and in excess.
How do you know if a walnut shell is bad?
If the shell has shrunk and is dried out, it is a good idea to discard it straight away. Any traces of mold or moisture on the shell also indicate that the walnut inside is bad. If you are in any doubt, it is a good idea to crack the shell and examine the walnut closely. Again, you are looking for signs of mold or shrinking.
How do you know if a walnut is spoiled?
If the nuts taste bitter, sour, or off in any way, it’s a sign of spoilage. Soft or mushy texture: If the nuts feel soft or mushy, it’s a sign of moisture damage or mold growth. Fresh walnuts should be firm and crunchy. It’s important to check walnuts for these signs of spoilage before consuming them.