Last Updated on March 8, 2021 by
Did you stumble upon peanuts that were long forgotten and wonder if they are still fit for consumption? Peanuts can last for nine months to two years, depending on how they are stored. If you want to know how to store peanuts properly and extend their shelf life, you’re in the right place.
Unlike most food items, labels on nuts have a ‘best before date’ instead of expiry date. This means you can still consume them even after the date since they aren’t expired. In this post, we’ll look at how long peanuts last in different conditions, how to know if they have gone bad, how to store peanuts properly, and everything you need to know about peanuts. Read on
How Long Peanuts Last In Various Conditions
The shelf life of peanuts varies according to how and where they are stored. Here are some storage options and how long they can last in these conditions.
1. Unshelled Peanuts
Peanuts in their shell can last up to four months at room temperature. If you store them in the fridge, they will last for up to 1 year and two years if stores in the freezer. When storing unshelled nuts, put them in an airtight container to avoid sucking in moisture, and extend shelf life.
2. Shelled Peanuts
If you remove peanuts from their shell, they will last for about one month; if you store them in a fridge, expect them to last for a year or two years in a freezer. If you wish to keep them fresher for longer, store them in an airtight container.
3. Bottled Or Canned Peanuts
When peanuts are put in a sealed can or bottle, their shelf life is extended. They can last for up to two years at room temperature, three to four years in the fridge, and eternity in the freezer. Canned peanuts remain fresh since moisture and fungus cannot get in.
4. Boiled Peanuts
Boiled peanuts can last for three days at room temperature since oxidation causes their taste and texture to deteriorate. If you freeze them, they can last for about three months, but we do not advocate for storing them that long.
5. Roasted Peanuts
Roasted peanuts can last for three months past their expiration dates. If stored in a freezer, this time is extended by three more months. If your roasted nuts still feel fresh and nutty, they are probably suitable for consumption
6. Honey- Coated Peanuts
Honey tossed nuts are tasty and long-lasting; they can last for three months when stored at room temperature in a sealed bag or container. If stored in the fridge, they can last for six months.
How Do I Tell If Peanuts Have Gone Bad?
Now that you know how long a nut can last in various storage conditions, it is essential to know how to test for freshness. Sometimes, you find nuts in your pantry that has no expiry date, and you can’t recall when you got them. Here’s how to know if the nuts are still safe for consumption.
1. Smell
Due to high oil content, nuts do go bad, and they can be harmful to your health. Spoiled nuts have a sour odor that’s similar to curd or sour milk. If the nuts were in an airtight container, they’d likely have a gassy or paint-like smell.
2. Texture
Fresh nuts have a solid and hard texture. If nuts feel soggy or shriveled when touched, chances are they have gone bad. Soggy nuts have an unpleasant taste in your mouth and cause stomach irritation to some people.
3. The Appearance Of Mold On The Surface Of The Shell Or Nut
If you notice discoloration, black spots, or mold on your nuts, they have gone rancid. When you don’t notice any change in appearance or texture in peanuts, tasting is a sure way to tell if they have gone bad. Rancid peanuts have a repelling taste that is hard to miss.
How To Store Peanuts And Extend Their Shelf Life
Peanuts are best stored in a cool atmosphere away from moisture and other contaminants. Refrigerating these nuts is a great way to extend their shelf life by months. It is important to note that nuts absorb moisture from the surrounding environment, thus the need to keep them sealed up. Storing nuts properly ensures you eat fresh and healthy peanuts, save on food costs, and minimize wastage.
When storing nuts, please put them in an airtight glass container with a lid. This helps prevent odors from other food items from leaking in. you can also use a sealed plastic bag to store peanuts in the freezer.
If storing peanuts in your pantry, make sure they are away from sunlight, moisture, and foods with a strong aroma. When unshelled, peanuts can last in your pantry for a few months, but when shelled, they can last for a maximum of one month. If you want to store nuts for years and remain fresh and crunchy, freeze them in an airtight container below 0 degrees Celsius. You can thaw peanuts and refreeze them frequently without them losing their texture and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Happens If You Eat Rancid Peanuts?
Eating a handful of spoiled nut has no known health effect. You might not get ill, but rancid nuts have an unpleasant taste, and it’s, therefore, advisable to discard them when they go bad.
2. What Are The Nutritional Benefits Of Peanuts?
Nutritionists say that if you are overweight, you can snack on peanuts as a healthy snack to help with weight loss. Research has shown that peanuts reduce the risk of heart disease and gall stones in both men and women. Peanuts contain healthy oils, vitamins, and minerals essential in the healthy functioning of our body.
3. What Happens When You Eat Excess Peanuts?
To get the most of peanuts, nutritionists recommend taking just one ounce per day. Excessive intake of peanuts slows down nutrient absorption, causes an imbalance of fatty acids and sodium, and might result in weight gain.
In A Nutshell
Peanuts are healthy snacks that are popular with most people. If you notice that nuts are rancid, discard them. The tell-tale signs of rancid peanuts are moldy or shriveled nuts. Before ingesting nuts, make sure you smell them to know if they are fresh. Always store nuts in a sealed bag or an airtight container. If you want nuts to last the longest, freezing them is a great idea. Roasted, honey-coated, and flavored nuts need extra care when being stored. If you don’t want nuts to go bad, repurpose them into peanut butter or oil.
