How Long are Nuts Good For?

Have you found yourself asking ​how long are nuts good for​ ? Nuts are a pantry staple in many homes, which means you might not be keeping them on your own shelves for very long. But while nuts can certainly last a very long time if they’re stored correctly, it’s still important to understand the basics of how long nuts last so that you can be sure to make smart decisions regarding stocking and storage.

So, ​how long are nuts good for​? In general, you can expect nuts to stay at their best for about several months on the shelf and a couple of years in the freezer. Different types of nuts however have different shelf lives.​ ​Cashews​, for example, can last for six to nine months in the pantry or on the shelf, one year in the fridge, and two years in the freezer. Meanwhile​, ​hazelnuts​ have a slightly shorter period of freshness and can last four to six months in the pantry or on the shelf, one year in the fridge, and one year in the freezer.

Do almonds go bad​? ​Do cashews go bad​? When answering the question of “​how long do nuts last​?” you have to consider how you define freshness in the first place when it comes to nut varieties. While various types of nuts have different shelf lives, there are still some good rules of thumb to follow when determining whether nuts are past the point of peak freshness.
For all nuts, you can tell if they’ve gone bad using both vision and smell. Expired nuts will be discolored, and will usually present with a darker tone than normal. They will also give off an unpleasant odor that will tell you pretty clearly they are no longer good to consume.

Improper storage of nuts can cost your business money. Protect your profit margins by adhering to the following tips on increasing the shelf life of the nuts that you purchase.

Keep packages closed. Opening a package of nuts will decrease the shelf life of the product. Wait to open packaging until you’re ready to fill your bulk bins so that you don’t start the clock ticking too soon. If you do have to open the package but you aren’t yet ready to sell, move the product to an airtight container and move on to the next tip.

Store in the fridge or freezer. ​For bulk orders, store excess that’s not ready for the floor in the fridge or freezer, instead of just your general pantry storage. This will help preserve the product’s taste and protect the nuts from going rancid.

Buy more nuts in the shell. ​Nuts that are still in their shell will usually last twice as long as shelled nuts, which is good to consider when placing your orders. Still follow the steps above however, including storing opened packages in airtight containers and placing them in a cool, dark place like a fridge or freezer.

Ultimately, the answer to ​how long are nuts good for​ depends on your storage methods. By making the effort to store them right, you’ll be able to keep nuts fresh for longer—and ensure that none of your product goes bad before you can sell it. Sounds like a win-win to us!