In the pantry, refrigerator or freezer: nutritionist told where best to store nuts

Nuts, like fruits and vegetables, are an important part of a balanced diet. They can be added to a variety of dishes and can also be eaten alone.

Health benefits of nuts

Nuts are rich in vitamins and minerals necessary for humans, including vitamins E, B6, niacin, folic acid, magnesium, calcium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, iron. The product is one of the main sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which have a tremendous impact on the human body.

Studies have shown that nuts promote weight loss, help control diabetes, prevent heart disease, normalize blood cholesterol levels.

But it should be remembered that not all nuts are equally beneficial. For example, some are coated with high amounts of sodium or flavored with flavorings that can reduce their nutritional value. Raw fruits are generally the best choice from a health perspective.

Interesting fact: peanuts are not related to nuts, as many people read, but to legumes.

How to choose nuts?

When buying nuts, you need to pay attention to a number of parameters. First, the fruits should not have a rancid smell or taste, traces of mold or spoilage. It is necessary to inspect both the kernels themselves and the shell.

Flaccid and shriveled nuts should also be rejected. When choosing, it is recommended to choose fruits in the shell – there they are better stored.

The container also matters. Experts advise buying nuts in an industrial bag, where the expiration date is indicated, and not by weight. At the same time, the best packaging is transparent, which allows you to assess the quality of the product.

The most useful nuts are fresh. Roasted and salted fruits lose part of their nutritional properties during processing.

How to store nuts?

doctor-endocrinologist, nutritionist of Medical On Group clinic (Medscan Group of Companies) in Podolsk city

“Storage of nuts is carried out in containers that preserve their quality and appearance.

The container should be clean, dry, not infected with mold and have no extraneous odor. Airtightness is important, as nuts absorb odors quickly.

Glass containers with airtight lids are perfect for this purpose. Plastic containers, as well as bags, it is better not to use.

It is better to store nuts in the refrigerator. Not many people know, but they can even be frozen. This will not affect their flavor and nutritional composition, but will significantly extend the shelf life.

The recommended humidity depends on the type of nuts and can range from 20 to 50%. Too dry air will lead to rapid desiccation of the fruit, and high humidity can provoke the growth of mold.

The storage temperature should be no higher than +20 degrees. For example, the temperature regime of almonds, according to the requirements of GOST, is within -15 to +20 degrees. Moreover, low temperatures increase the shelf life of the product.

High humidity and temperature contribute to the spread of mold. Storage in a refrigerator will help to avoid fluctuations in humidity and temperature.

How long can nuts be stored?

Shelf life can vary depending on the composition of the nuts and their quality: the more fat, the shorter the shelf life.

Walnuts and cashews keep the longest (up to eight months). And the shelf life will increase by two to three months if you keep them in the refrigerator. The freezer extends the period to a year, and some species (hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans) – even up to two years.

Chestnuts are not as stable in storage as other nuts and should be frozen.

Storage Tips

To keep nuts longer, you should follow the following rules.

1. Clean the nuts of dirt and pick them through: discard any that are dried out and obviously spoiled. It is advisable to store different types of nuts separately from each other.
2. Then dry them for a few days in the air in a dry room or a few hours in the oven at a temperature of 40-50 degrees Celsius.
3. Place the fruits in an airtight package and put them in the refrigerator or freezer.

Do not buy large quantities of nuts at once to spare. Over time, nuts lose flavor and dry out. To restore the quality, roast them in the oven for 10 minutes.