I Asked Planters the Best Way To Store Almonds—Here's What It Said

I use a lot of almonds for baking. They are in my favorite orange biscotti recipe and our family's traditional Italian wedding cookies. When I buy too many or have a partially opened bag, I'm never sure whether almonds are OK in the pantry or if I should move them to the fridge or freezer.

I checked in with Lyndsay Bashore, a research scientist at Hormel Foods, which owns the Planters brand. She says that the best way to store almonds depends on when you're going to use them.

"Storing almonds in a pantry is perfectly acceptable if you plan to consume the nuts relatively quickly," Bashore says. "However, if you expect it will take some time to finish them, refrigeration or freezing can help prolong freshness."

How To Package Almonds for Storage

Planters nuts are packaged by gas flushing to keep them fresh. This is "a process that replaces oxygen with nitrogen to help preserve freshness," says Bashore. "It's best to keep them in the original container until ready to consume."

However, if your almonds come in a less secure package—such as a plastic bag that doesn't reseal—it's best to store them in a zip-top bag or a glass jar to prevent exposure to moisture, which can degrade their taste and quality.

If you're storing almonds in the fridge or freezer, it's important to look for something that keeps the air out. Airtight containers also help preserve the taste of almonds.

"Due to their high-fat content, nuts can absorb strong odors from surrounding foods (like cantaloupe or spiced meats), which may affect their flavor over time," Bashore says. "Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the package," Bashore suggests. "Airtight containers are ideal for this purpose."

The Best Place To Store Almonds

It's essential not to store almonds in a location that's too warm, such as an un-airconditioned garage or storage room. "Refrigeration or freezing can help prolong freshness," says Bahsore.

When you're ready to eat them, give them a little time to warm up. "Nuts are best enjoyed at room temperature, so if stored in the refrigerator or freezer, be sure to let them sit out briefly before consuming," Bashore says.

How To Keep Almonds Fresh

How long your almonds will stay fresh depends on several factors, says Bashore:

• Whether they're roasted, steamed, or seasoned. Seasoned nuts will lose their flavor over time.
• How old were they when you bought them
• How you store them, before and after opening
• Type of packaging

"We recommend consuming opened nuts within a week for optimal freshness," Bashore says. "If that's not possible, refrigeration or freezing is a good option."

How To Tell if Almonds Have Gone Bad

When almonds have been stored for too long, they can become rancid. "Rancid nuts typically have a noticeable off-putting smell—similar to old oil," Bashore says. "They may also taste dry, stale, bitter, or have an unpleasant flavor."

If you're unsure whether your almonds are still good, the USDA recommends cutting one in half. It should be solid white. If instead it has a yellow tinge or the texture of a honeycomb, it's no longer at its peak and shouldn't be eaten.

For the freshest almonds that last the longest, buy whole almonds and wait to chop or grind them until you're ready to use them.