From raw cake bases to fresh snacks; salad toppers and spreads—nuts are a fantastic source of good fats (unsaturated fats) that can assist in lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and raising good cholesterol (HDL).
Getting the most life out of your fresh nuts and seeds is a key requirement for our cafe, restaurant and bulk store wholesale clients.
The overall shelf life of nuts depends on a variety of factors, including the type of nut, storage and best before date.
In general, starting with a quality organic nut product will assist with getting the most shelf life out of your product.
Terra Madre has been operating as a proudly local business for over two decades. As one of the most reliable and trusted organic wholesalers, we are also home to the largest range of Australian Certified Organic (ACO) food produce in Australia.
It means we're confident about the integrity and purity of all of our nut products.
Once you start with a quality product, certified by Australia's largest certifier for organic and biodynamic produce, here's how you can get the most shelf life out of your organic nuts and seeds.
Best before dates
Unlike other proteins, nuts usually have a best by date rather than a hard expiration date. Therefore, even after the best by date has passed, you can still enjoy your purchased nuts and seeds as long as they smell and taste as usual.
[table]
[thead]
[tr]
[th] [/th]
[th]Pantry[/th]
[th]Fridge[/th]
[th]Freezer[/th]
[/tr]
[/thead]
[tbody]
[tr]
[td] [/td]
[td]Past Printed Date[/td]
[td]Past Printed Date[/td]
[td]Past Printed Date[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Almonds[/td]
[td]9-12 Months[/td]
[td]1 Year[/td]
[td]2 Years[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Brazil Nuts[/td]
[td]9 Months[/td]
[td]1 Year[/td]
[td]1 Year[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Cashews[/td]
[td]6-9 Months[/td]
[td]1 Year[/td]
[td]2 Years[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Hazelnuts[/td]
[td]4-6 Months[/td]
[td]1 Year[/td]
[td]1 Year[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Macadamias[/td]
[td]6-9 Months[/td]
[td]1 Year[/td]
[td]2 Years[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Peanuts[/td]
[td]6-9 Months[/td]
[td]1 Year[/td]
[td]2 Years[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Pecans[/td]
[td]6 Months[/td]
[td]1 Year[/td]
[td]2 Years[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Pine Nuts[/td]
[td]1-2 Months[/td]
[td]3-4 Months[/td]
[td]5-6 Months[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Pistachios[/td]
[td]3 Months[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[td]-[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Walnuts[/td]
[td]6 Months[/td]
[td]1 Year[/td]
[td]1-2 Years[/td]
[/tr]
[/tbody]
[/table]
What can affect the freshness of nuts and seeds?
Each variety of nuts bears its own distinctive flavour and qualities.
- Generally, nuts stored in a cool environment like a fridge will last longer than nuts stored at room temperature, or in warmer environments.
- Pecans and cashews that become rancid quickly in warmer environments, so it's especially important to store them in the fridge at a regulated temperature.
- Nuts should be stored in tightly closed containers or sealed bags to keep out moisture and other contaminants.
- Airtight boxes, bags and jars with a tight seal lid works great for pecans and walnuts as it provides extra protection from odours leaking into the nuts from other foods stored nearby.
- Shelled nuts will last longer, if stored properly, than nuts that are kept in their shell. If nuts are not stored properly, nuts with the shells intact will generally last for a longer period of time than those which were already shelled.
How to best store nuts and seeds in bulk
Leaving your nuts in room temperature or the open air is the least effective way of ensuring a long lifespan. If you are buying your nuts and seeds in bulk to supply your cafe, restaurant or bulk shop, we recommend re-sealing them in small bags, boxes or jars to optimise their freshness.
If this isn't possible, ensuring that your bulk bags are airtight and storing your products away from onions and other high-odour foods can help. Nuts tend to take on the smell of things around them.
Ensure to store every variety of nut and seed separately—don't mix them.
Freezing nuts and seeds
For a long-term option, you can freeze your nuts (except shelled pistachios) while preserving their taste if you use an airtight freezer-safe container.
Make sure to freeze each kind of nut separately. A year in the freezer is often the limit for most nuts, but some can last longer.
- You don’t have to thaw nuts after freezing, however you can remove them from the freezer to allow them to come back to room temperature.
- For cooking or baking, you can use nuts straight from the freezer.
- A quick way to reheat nuts is to roast them slightly in a pan or in the oven if needed.
Storing activated nuts and seeds
Activated nuts, legumes and grains have been soaked in water and salt for a period of time, usually 7-12 hours, and are then dehydrated a low temperature.
The activating process can make nuts and seeds more prone to growing harmful moulds and bacteria, so it's important to consume them within 24-48 hours after soaking and drying.
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