Do Hazelnuts Go Bad?

Hazelnuts are a nutritious snack for munching any time. The hazelnuts are available throughout the year. You can use them in your desserts for extra nuttiness, which will also elevate your dish’s flavor.

You went to the market and saw hazelnuts at an appealing price and bought them in bulk. Now, you must be a little worried about its storage. Well, you do not need to worry about it because we have got you covered. This article will help you with the storage and shelf life of your hazelnuts.

How to store your hazelnuts?

Hazelnuts also go bad like other nuts. Unlike other food products, hazelnuts do not go bad easily as they contain less moisture content. They need optimum storage conditions for their storage. They need to be kept in a cool and dry place. The following points will help you extend the shelf life of your hazelnuts.

Keep them away from sunlight

Sunlight is the enemy of nuts. The hazelnuts go bad too soon when they are left open under direct sunlight. The sunlight extracts out the essential oils from the hazelnuts. The oils can go bad, producing a weird stinky smell. Thus the hazelnuts become bad to be used and eventually go to waste.

That is why you need to make sure that the hazelnuts are kept in a dark place where there is no sunlight access.

Place them in an airtight container

The hazelnuts should be kept in an airtight container or in a zip lock bag. The unshelled hazelnuts can be left open, but you must keep your shelled hazelnuts covered. The shelled hazelnuts can absorb moisture from the air and may taste a little off.

The hazelnuts can go bad after interacting with the moisture. The in-shell hazelnuts have outer protection of the shell, and hence they are protected from environmental contamination.

Refrigerate your hazelnuts.

Hazelnuts do not go bad for months in your pantry, but in case you want to have an extended life of your hazelnuts, you can refrigerate them. The low temperature can keep the oils intact of the hazelnuts.

It seals the freshness of the hazelnuts and prevents mold growth in the hazelnuts. The shelled hazelnuts should be kept in a plastic bag so any other food’s aroma does not contaminate the hazelnuts. The unshelled hazelnuts can be saved as it is.

Can you freeze your hazelnuts?

Hazelnuts can be frozen for more than two years in the freezer. The frozen hazelnuts retain their texture, flavor, aroma, and freshness just like the fresh ones. You can freeze both of your shelled and unshelled hazelnuts and thaw them whenever required.

The shelled hazelnuts should be properly packed in an airtight box or a vacuum seal bag. It will help prevent them from freeze burn; they will also be safe from the freezer’s moisture. The unshelled ones can be kept without an airtight box.

You can repeatedly thaw your unshelled hazelnuts, but you need to be careful with your shelled hazelnuts as they can go bad after repeated thawing. Therefore, only take out the quantity that is sufficient for single use.

How long do hazelnuts last?

The shelled hazelnuts will not go bad for up to three months in your pantry if they are kept in a cold, dry, and dark place. The unshelled ones can last for about four to five months in your pantry. The refrigerator helps you to increase the shelf life of your hazelnuts.

The unshelled hazelnuts will stay fresh for about nine months in your refrigerator, while the shelled ones may last for up to seven months in the fridge. If the shelled hazelnuts are not placed in a ziplock bag, they may go rancid in a few months.

The frozen hazelnuts retain their freshness for two years in the freezer. You can roast the desired quantity whenever you like. You can not re-thaw the shelled hazelnuts repeatedly because it can shorten up their life span.

How to tell if hazelnuts are bad?

Hazelnuts can stay perfect for a long time. The roasted ones offer a shorter shelf life, but it does not mean they will go rancid too soon. You can identify the bad hazelnuts using your senses, but you need to know the conditions when the hazelnuts go bad.

• The hazelnuts change their color to brown or black when they go bad. They give an unappealing look, so there are high chances you will not eat the bad ones.
• The bad hazelnuts give off a strong paint-like or chemical smell. It will help you identify the bad hazelnuts.
• There might be a presence of molds on your hazelnuts, which is a clear sign of rancidity.
• The seemingly perfect hazelnuts may be bad if they are stored for a long time. You can taste them. If they give a bitter flavor, it is time that you say goodbye to them.

Sources

• Does it go bad
• Can it go bad
• Pantry guide
• Still Tasty