Hazelnuts are a type of tree nut that is produced commercially by the fruit of the hazel tree. Hazelnuts are a common ingredient in many sweet treats. It’s used for a variety of purposes including cooking, baking, and nut roasting.
If you have bought a lot of hazelnuts, you may wonder if they go bad and how long they will last.
Do Hazelnuts Go Bad?
Yes, hazelnuts do go bad. Hazelnuts are very delicate fruits that spoil quickly if not stored properly.
The nuts go bad when they are exposed to the air for too long because it allows the hazelnut’s natural oils to be released into the air. The oil that is released starts a chemical reaction which then causes them to spoil.
The best way to store these nuts is by keeping them in the freezer. After they are frozen, they can last up to six months without any loss of quality or flavor.
How Long Do Hazelnuts Last?
Hazelnuts can last for up to 12 months if stored at room temperature. After that, they will start to lose their flavor and quality.
The shelf life of hazelnuts is between two and six months in a refrigerator.
If hazelnuts are kept in the freezer, they will last for up to 2 years.
How to Store Hazelnuts
There are many ways to store hazelnuts. But the most preferred storage method is room temperature. It’s best to keep it in a cool and dry place, away from light and heat.
While many people prefer to store their hazelnuts in the fridge, this is not an option. It can cause the nuts to become rancid and also be too cold for optimal storage.
Hazelnuts are best stored in a cool dark place at room temperature. However, if you want to keep them stored longer than this, you should freeze them by separating the skin from the nut and then storing it in a freezer bag.
Storing Hazelnuts At Room Temperature
The best way to store hazelnuts is to keep them in an airtight container. They should be kept away from light and moisture.
Store the hazelnuts in the pantry or cupboard for the longest shelf life.
Storing Hazelnuts In The Fridge
To maximize the shelf life of your hazelnuts, keep them in a refrigerator that is cold enough and tightly sealed so that air doesn’t circulate inside.
If you live in an area where humidity is high or it’s hot outside, transfer your hazelnuts to a dry place like an oven-safe container or zipper bag before storing them in the fridge so that they don’t get moldy.
How to Tell If Hazelnuts Are Bad?
Hazelnuts are popular snack food. However, they can spoil and make it hard for humans to eat.
To tell whether hazelnuts are bad or not, you must look for signs.
There are a few signs of a bad hazelnut:
– Hazelnut will be dark brown, soft, and mushy.
– If its skin is cracked or if it is discolored and has green or black spots, it could be bad as well.
– A bad hazelnut will also have a dry roasted aroma.
– If the nuts have an unpleasant odor and are moist, it’s likely to be spoiled.
How To Keep Hazelnuts Fresh Longer
People are always on the lookout for ways to save time, especially when it comes to food. With this in mind, here are some quick and easy ways for how you can keep your hazelnuts fresh longer.
Some people make the mistake of using a paper towel to dry off the hazelnuts after they have been rinsed. This is not a good idea as paper towels usually leave behind lint and dust that ends up settling on your nuts.
One way to prevent this is by submerging them in water with lemon juice. This stops bacterial growth inside the nutshells and keeps them fresher for longer periods of time.
When it comes to storage, placing hazelnuts into bags isn’t a good idea, which could be considered the worst thing to do. Instead, hazelnuts should be spread out on a cool kitchen counter or the floor of the garage if you don’t have air conditioning.
The best place to store them is in an area that has low humidity and is away from any light source – like a drawer or cabinet with a lock on it. On top of that, store them near other items that are likely to cause damage – like bath salts or coffee beans.
Related Questions
Can bad hazelnuts make you sick?
It is common for a hazelnut to become spoiled in storage, but it can also make you sick. Some people may experience symptoms of an allergic reaction after eating a nut that has gone bad.
It is not just the taste that differentiates a good hazelnut from an already-spoiled one, it is actually how they smell too. The more they smell, the greater the risk of getting sick.
Also, hazelnuts contain a toxin called physaliphates which can make you sick if consumed in large quantities.