The noble varieties of nuts include almonds, which have a rich and pleasant taste. People who regularly purchase them should figure out how to store almonds at home so that they do not spoil.
Basic rules and packaging
Before purchasing a nut, you need to understand the main rules for storing it. It is no secret that the surface of nuts is covered with a shell, which protects them from damage and other external influences. Because of this, many people believe that almonds are suitable for storage in any conditions, but this is far from the case.
There are several recommendations that you should familiarize yourself with in advance:
- Maintaining optimal temperature. When storing any variety of nuts, you need to monitor temperature indicators. It is recommended to maintain the air temperature at 10-15 degrees. Almonds cannot be stored at temperatures above 17-20 degrees, as in such conditions they will quickly deteriorate.
- Lighting adjustment. Nuts are best stored in shaded areas. They should not be exposed to sunlight, as this reduces their shelf life.
- Maintaining air humidity. The fruit does not store well in high humidity. Therefore, the air humidity level should not be higher than 70-80%.
The following are used as storage containers:
- clay pots;
- glass jars;
- wooden boxes.
Some people use plastic bags, but it is better not to store almonds in them for a long time, as they begin to rot.
Criteria for selecting quality almonds
In order for young almonds to have a long shelf life, you need to buy high-quality nuts. Not all varieties of nuts are suitable for storage. Only high-quality products can be stored in an apartment for a long time. The quality of an almond fruit can be determined by the following characteristic features:
- Uniform coloring of the shell surface. The nut fruit should be dark brown in color and there should be no darkening on its surface.
- No spotting. Nuts that have begun to spoil become covered with dark spots. Over time, mold and rot form on such spotting.
- Pleasant aroma. A fresh and ripe nut smells pleasant. The smell should not be sharp or bitter.
- Surface integrity. Fresh nuts have no chips or cracks in their shells.It is better to avoid purchasing damaged products, as they are poorly stored.
It is recommended to buy fresh almonds from the same batch so that the nuts have the same taste, smell and shape.
Storing Shelled Almonds
Peeled nuts are much tastier, and therefore many people prefer to peel them before storing. There are three important recommendations that will improve the safety of nuts:
- Selection of a place for further storage of the product. For long-term preservation, an insulated balcony or storage room is suitable.
- Choice of neighbors. Some people store almonds together with other products, but it is better not to do this. The shelf life is reduced if you mix it with other varieties of nuts.
- Determination of temperature. Peeled fruits are temperature sensitive. Even at room temperature, the taste of the nut deteriorates.
How to store unshelled almonds
Experienced housewives advise not to peel nuts, as this will keep them longer.
Features of storing unpeeled fruit:
- The air humidity of the room in which the nut is located should be 70-75%.
- The temperature should not exceed 18 degrees Celsius. High temperatures promote the development of mold.
- The container must be tightly covered with a lid. At the same time, 3-4 holes are made to allow fresh air to enter to prevent mold.
How long can you store?
Many people are interested in the shelf life of almonds. The peeled product does not spoil for six months. To prolong storage, it will have to be frozen in a food container. Unpeeled fruits are stored for one and a half years.
Conclusion
Some people do not know how to properly store purchased almonds.To figure this out, we study the basic recommendations for preserving nuts and consider the nuances of choosing fresh products.
