Not only are almonds a great, filling snack, but they are packed with health benefits in a tiny, compact size. You’ve just found a pack of almonds in your cupboard, and now you’re wondering if they’re still edible.
This question pops into your mind: Do almonds go bad?
The answer to your question is yes.
Here’s the lowdown: Almonds can go bad, but if stored properly, you can get the best out of your almonds. Raw almonds can last about a year. On the other hand, an unopened pack of snack almonds can last about 2-4 weeks past the best-by date.
Signs Your Almonds Have Spoiled
A few simple signs will tell you if almonds have gone bad.
The first is changes to the appearance of your almonds.
If you find any mold or dark specks on your almonds, they have probably gone bad.
Next, you’ll want to give the nuts a smell. If they give off a rancid, oily smell, get rid of them. Lastly, give your almonds a taste to check their quality. If they’re bitter, you may want to discard them due to the loss of quality.
Overall, if they don’t taste up to standard and you’ve kept them for a long time, it may be better to toss them out.
How To Store Almonds
Raw almonds should be stored in cold temperatures. This makes the fridge or freezer the perfect environment for your almonds.
But why should you keep your almonds in cooler environments?
This is because of the oils contained in your almonds. In warm temperatures, frequent temperature changes, or moisture, these oils tend to go rancid. So to prevent this from happening, store your almonds in the fridge.
Your almonds may also pick up the smell of other foods in the fridge, so be sure to keep them in an airtight container to prevent this and to keep out excess moisture.
You can freeze raw almonds for a long-term storage solution. Just be sure to package them in an airtight container or freezer back.
When it comes to snack almonds, follow the storage instructions on the label. Most of the time, you can store snack almonds at room temperature in an airtight container. Even if the packaging doesn’t say that the snack almonds should be refrigerated, you can still store them in the fridge for longer.
How Long Do Almonds Last?
Starting with raw almonds, these can last fresh up to a year or even more if stored properly. When it comes to snack almonds, have a look at the best-by date on the label. These should last more or less 2-4 weeks past the best-by date.
As soon as you open the package of almonds, you should try to finish it within a week if stored at room temperature or a month if stored in the fridge.
In A Nutshell
As stated earlier, almonds are packed with benefits. These include fiber, protein, fat, vitamin E, antioxidants, and magnesium. Almonds can even assist with blood sugar control and lower cholesterol. There are so many more benefits to this nut that might convince you to eat them sooner than later.
As for its shelf-life, due to the oil content of almonds, storing them in the fridge in an airtight container is a good idea to get the best out of your almonds. They will generally keep to a year if raw but a month if they are snack almonds.
