Do Water Chestnuts Go Bad?

Water chestnuts are also called Chinese water chestnuts. They taste like nuts and have a sweet and fruity flavor. Water chestnuts are rich in vitamins; they are very nutritious because they are low in calories and high in fibers. The water chestnut is not a nut at all. It only looks like a chestnut.

The water chestnut is a nut that grows on an aquatic plant. They can be eaten raw, as well boiled. They’re a common element in food preparations. They are most commonly consumed raw in China. However, they are occasionally sweetened.

How To Store Water Chestnuts?

Water chestnuts are a corm rather than a nut. They are full of nutrition and have many health benefits. However, water chestnuts can easily dry out if you don’t take care while storing them. For long-term storage, you need to ensure that you provide the specific condition for them to last longer. You cannot keep water chestnuts on your counter or in your drawer as they will dry out and die with time. Too much direct sunlight will also dry them out.

The life span of water chestnuts depends on the storage condition you provide. If you maintain hygienic conditions, they may last longer. Their shelf-life can be extended if you store them properly. Try to purchase the Water chestnuts in a little quantity so that you can consume them in a day but, if you have bought them in bulk, try to store them properly, as they will turn bad if not stored properly. If you buy the canned water chestnuts, try to keep them in a somewhere cool environment.

In a Refrigerator

A refrigerator is a perfect place to store Water chestnuts. The cool environment will prevent them from drying out. Raw water chestnuts can be kept in the refrigerator for about 1-2 weeks. Then, store them unpeeled water chestnuts in a bowl full of water and try to change the water every day; water chestnuts will stay fresh in this way. Thus the quality of water chestnuts can be maintained by storing them in the refrigerator.

If you are freezing cooked water chestnut, allow them to cool at room temperature and then place in a freezing bag. So next time, Keep all of the above in mind to avoid any potential harm while storing water chestnuts, and you will not face any problem.

Can You Freeze Water Chestnuts?

The answer is yes! You can freeze water chestnuts easily if you have bought them in bulk. By freezing water chestnuts, you are simply increasing their shelf-life. You can freeze either cooked or uncooked water chestnuts. When you’re freezing raw water chestnuts, make sure you wash or clean them properly.

When you’re freezing uncooked water chestnuts, you may also do an extra step: add one teaspoon of lemon juice and enough water to cover the water chestnuts. This will avoid discoloration while they’re in storage. So next time, if you want to use frozen water chestnuts, allow them to thaw at room temperature before using them.

How Long Does Water Chestnuts last?

The shelf-life of anything depends on the storage environment you provide. It all depends on how much care you take while storing water chestnuts. However, water chestnuts have a  good shelf life if you store them properly at your home. Water chestnuts can last longer if you refrigerate them. The cool temperature will maximize their shelf life. It will also preserve them from drying out. Cooked Water chestnuts can be frozen for up to a year, while raw water chestnuts can be frozen for up to 6 months.

If you open canned water chestnuts, you have to use them within a few days. It is not recommended that you freeze previously canned water chestnuts. They might get freezer burn. Further, their quality will also diminish. In the refrigerator, raw Water chestnuts can last up to 7 to 10 days. So follow the step mentioned above to preserve them.

How To Tell If Water Chestnuts is bad?

Water chestnuts can easily go bad if not stored properly as their shelf-life depends upon their storage. It is easier to identify if water chestnuts have turned bad. Some common signs will be observed if they go bad. You can easily tell whether your water chestnuts are spoiled or fresh by checking the appearance, texture, or even by smelling them.

If you observe any of the following signs, don’t consume the water chestnuts and throw them away. Consuming spoiled water chestnuts can be harmful. Always try to utilize water chestnuts before their expiry date to enjoy the best experience.

Appearance: when water chestnuts turned bad, they become hard. Further mold growth can be observed with a bad odor. Don’t consume them because it will cause trouble for your health.

Smell: the rotten water chestnut has a very bad odor. Throw them away if they smell bad.

Sources:

• Web MD
• Still Tasty
• Foods Guy