How to store nuts and seeds so they don't go rancid

If you are one of those people who cannot stand boring dishes, then you surely add granola to your fruit or nuts and toasted seeds to your salads; however, it is common for them to go rancid quickly, especially if you don’t store them properly. Before moving on to tips for storing and prolonging the freshness of nuts and seeds, it is worth highlighting that they are rich in healthy fats, making them a great option to protect your heart and increase your intake of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Now that you know the benefits of these nuts, let’s get to work! What is the best place to store nuts? According to the queen of cooking, Martha Stewart, the refrigerator is the perfect sanctuary to store all kinds of nuts and seeds, from walnuts, almonds, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds, among others. Although it may seem hard to believe, the humid environment will help keep nuts and seeds fresh for a longer time, as the chef’s portal states that “unsaturated fats are extremely fragile and delicate, which means they break down quickly. This makes nuts prone to becoming rancid, ruining their flavor and freshness.” Therefore, it is suggested to store them in the refrigerator, as the cold environment slows down the decomposition process. You can also read: Foods that help you prevent hair lossHow to store nuts and seeds properly Now that you know it is best to keep nuts and seeds refrigerated to prevent them from going rancid, here are several tips for storing them correctly, take note! 1. The fresher, the better Make sure to buy fresh nuts and seeds, as if they have been exposed to air or are not well sealed, it won’t be long before they taste rancid. 2. Buy whole nuts If you usually buy chopped or sliced nuts, forget about it, as they have already been exposed to air and the oils have surfaced, causing them to go rancid very quickly. 3. Get airtight containers While it is tempting to open the refrigerator, put the bag of nuts or almonds inside, and forget about it, it is best to empty them into a glass container with an airtight lid or another airtight container. You can also read: Foods that strengthen your brain4. Store them in the freezer! If you bought a lot of nuts or pistachios, don’t hesitate to store half in the refrigerator and the other half in the freezer, as they will stay fresh for a long time. 5. Trust science Martha Stewart's portal indicates that you can keep nuts and seeds in the refrigerator for up to 6 months, while you can freeze them for up to a year, without fear of success! 6. What type of nuts do you prefer? Some nuts tend to go rancid before others, as this is due to their lower fat content. The nuts that tend to stay fresh longer are pistachios, almonds, and English walnuts, but no matter what, if you store them in the refrigerator, they will last much longer.