Nuts are a fabulous snack that provide numerous beneficial health qualities such as protein, fiber and good fats. They have shown the capacity for lowering bad cholesterol, reducing inflammation and contributing to heart health. Unfortunately, the polyunsaturated fats (oils) breakdown rather quickly at room temperature and many of us don’t ingest the most beneficial version of the pricey treats.
Use these tricks to ensure freshness.
Have your nuts gone bad?
Taste: discard if they taste a little bitter or different than normal
Texture: discard if they are soft or chewy (unless they have been soaked)
Storage:
DO.
Keep nuts in glass, plastic containers or plastic ziplock bags .
Keep them separate from other food odors as they will absorb flavors
DON’T.
Keep them in metallic containers, direct light or near heat or moisture.
Shelf life:
Nuts are good at room temperature for approximately one month. (in cooler climates nuts can last 3-6 months at room temperature but its always better to be safe)
Refrigerated in an air tight container to maintain freshness up 6 months or freeze up to a year.
Soak:
Soak your nuts and seeds in a covered glass container anywhere from 20 minutes, to 2 to 3 hours, even overnight in the refrigerator. Cover nuts with cold filtered water by at least an inch as nuts will absorb water.
After 20 minutes the soak water will be brown and after a couple hours, much of the dust, residue and tannins from the skins are released into the water.
Rinse your nuts and consume or recover with clean filtered water and keep up to 2 days .
Spruce:
To freshen the nuts you can bake them in the oven on 350 degrees for ten minutes
Toss with sea salt, herbs or tamari before baking to flavor if desired.
