What is the best way to store hazelnuts in and without shells » Suseki

Requirements for choosing hazelnuts

Hazelnuts are grown both for personal consumption and for profit. The choice of variety depends on the final goal. As a rule, gardeners give preference to frost-resistant or drought-resistant varieties, and only then pay attention to the characteristics of their fruits.

In varieties with round fruits, the kernels are mainly stored, since when they are split, minimal debris is formed. Nuts contain a lot of vegetable fats and proteins. Varieties with a cone-shaped fruit are usually stored together with the shell. Varieties with oval-shaped nuts are almost never subjected to industrial processing, and at home they are stored in their shells.

Do nuts lose nutrients over time?

Walnut is a valuable product with a unique composition of minerals and vitamins, a specific set of aromatic and tannin substances. A high proportion of 18 to 21% is protein. Depending on the variety, from 45 to 77% is a fatty nut oil, which contains a unique set of saturated and unsaturated acids. The chemical composition changes slightly over time and largely depends on how the walnuts are stored.

A nut is a fruit seed that performs a storage function. Even with a very long period of dormancy, the core retains a full range of substances that may be required for the development of a new plant.

A microclimate is created under the shell that can protect the kernel from external influences for a long time. It is not difficult to understand how to store walnuts in shell at home. It is necessary to maintain a balance of temperature and humidity, limited illumination.

If the nut is peeled and not protected by a strong bone shell, then the influence of external factors increases. Therefore, conditions are created under which all chemical processes slow down, which involve:

• restriction of air access;
• lower temperature.

If the conditions are strictly observed, the product can be stored for up to a year with virtually no loss of quality.

How to choose

A product with good characteristics will maintain quality for a long time. Every housewife who remembers this rule will be able to ensure the storage of hazelnuts for as long as possible.

• A high-quality walnut does not have cracks, chips, mold or damage caused by insects. The shell should be free of dark spots and small holes.
• The smell should not be pungent or musty.
• A good nut has a dense structure and quite noticeable weight.
• You can also check the quality by sound. If you pick up a handful of nuts and then pour them onto a hard surface, the sound should be loud upon contact.

What you should know about peanuts

• Every year, around the world, a large number of calls are recorded related to various allergic reactions, the root cause of which is the consumption of peanuts. Therefore, this product should be used with great caution and in minimal quantities.
• The increased calorie content of nuts can cause excess weight gain. Based on this, their use should be limited within reasonable limits.
• Aflatoxins (products of fat breakdown resulting from violations of peanut storage standards) can cause various negative reactions in humans.
• It is strictly prohibited to consume peanuts with coatings or signs of insect activity.
• Crushed peanuts cannot be stored for long periods of time due to the fact that they begin to produce oil too quickly, which changes the taste and aroma properties of the product for the worse.
• It is best to store raw peanuts or after roasting after pre-calcination in the oven at +50°C for 10 minutes.

Other materials

Vermicelli casserole

Many housewives are always looking for simple, satisfying and quick to prepare dishes. Noodle casserole is just such a dish. Vermicelli casserole can be called traditional Soviet fast food; back then this dish was prepared in almost every family, school or kindergarten.

White bechamel sauce

Many of us remember, from distant childhood, the delicious white sauce that was generously poured over cutlets in school and student canteens. But few people knew or guessed that the basis of such a sauce was a French culinary masterpiece, naturally converted in the Soviet way.

Shelf life

Shelf life depends on treatment before storage, conditions, packaging in which the product is stored. The lifespan of packaged nuts is determined by the manufacturer, but not more than 2 years. And if the product came into the house from the market or was assembled with your own hands, the storage duration is as follows:

• shelf life of walnuts in shell is 2 years;

• peeled kernels – 6 months.

Unpeeled ones last longer, but take up more space. It is much more convenient to keep the walnut kernels peeled. Reducing the temperature to +5° and freezing will help increase the shelf life. These recommendations are also suitable for storing peeled potatoes.

Proper storage

Nuts can be stored both in a country house and in a city apartment

But in order for them not to deteriorate and lose their valuable properties over a long period of time, it is important to select high-quality fruits and provide suitable conditions for their storage.

Which walnuts are suitable for storage?

There is no point in putting aside fruits that are obviously spoiled or those that cannot retain their original properties for a long time. Therefore, it is necessary to sort out the nuts. Fruits with defects are discarded.

Good quality nuts are not difficult to recognize

What to pay attention to when preparing:

nuts should be thoroughly cleaned of the amniotic membrane (the green leathery-fibrous skin that turns black when dry), if this has not been done previously; the shell should not contain cracks, breaks, dark spots or traces of mold; the nucleus must be well supported by the septum inside the fetus

Dried nuts can be recognized by the characteristic knock of the kernel against the walls of the shell when shaken; You should also pay attention to the weight of the nut. Too light fruits are often empty inside. Depending on the variety, the weight of one nut ranges from 5 to 17 grams

Of these, the core accounts for approximately half

Depending on the variety, the weight of one nut ranges from 5 to 17 grams. Of these, the core accounts for about half.

The difference between good and bad walnuts is clear

Video: how to choose the right walnuts

How to store walnuts in shell

General rules and useful tips for preparation and storage:

1. It is better to organize nut collection in dry weather. But if the fruits were collected after rain and turned out to be very dirty, they can be washed under running water and then dried. A short stay in water will not harm the fruit.
2. After cleaning the amniotic membrane, the nuts should be thoroughly dried. For the first 1–2 days during daylight hours, the nuts can be left in the fresh air. Sunlight and a light breeze will promote quick drying. At night, the nuts must be brought into the house or barn; outside they will become damp.
3. Over the next 7–12 days, it is recommended to dry the nuts indoors, for example, in the attic. To do this, the floor is covered with cloth or paper, and nuts are poured onto it, in as thin a layer as possible.
4. It is best to use cardboard boxes or canvas bags as storage containers. These materials allow air to pass through well and the fruits do not smear. The storage place should be dry, cool and dark. The recommended air temperature should not exceed 20 °C. But it is better if its value is 10–15 °C.

Walnuts are stored well in a canvas bag

Video: harvesting and proper storage of walnuts

Proper storage of shelled nuts

To save time and effort, many housewives prefer to purchase already peeled fruits. In addition, this method allows you to get a good look at the quality of the nuts and not buy a “pig in a poke.” However, you should know that shelled nuts do not last long, and crushed kernels even less.

Shelled kernels must be whole

• The basic rule of storage is to avoid contact with light and oxygen. This leads to the development of bactericidal microorganisms, rotting and rapid deterioration of the product.
• For storage, use a dry glass or tin container. A paper bag will also work. But kernels in plastic bags deteriorate very quickly.
• To increase shelf life, place the container of nuts in the refrigerator or freezer. The latter option allows the use of plastic bags.
• For better preservation, bake the nuts in the oven.

Walnut kernels should be crushed immediately before preparing the dish.

How to dry nuts:

1. Place the nut kernels on a baking sheet and place in the oven for 1–2 hours at 40–50 °C.
2. Then transfer the nuts to parchment and leave for 30-40 minutes to cool and dry completely.

Video: how to dry and store shelled nuts

Table: shelf life of ripe walnut fruits

Nuts picked ahead of time spoil very quickly and therefore cannot be stored. However, from unripe fruits you can prepare tasty and healthy infusions and decoctions or make jam. The fruits should be processed immediately after harvest.

Basic recommendations for the storage process

The rules for keeping hazelnuts in storage allow you to preserve vitamins and nutrients for a long time and minimize the risk of spoilage:

1. Immediately after harvesting or purchasing the finished product, it is necessary to sort it out and dry it thoroughly.
2. If the nuts are dirty, it is recommended to rinse them before drying.
3. Those specimens that float up during the washing process can be safely thrown away - they will turn out to be empty in the middle.
4. It is recommended to eat the preparations within six months, otherwise the hazelnuts will change their taste characteristics.
5. Nuts that are collected and sent for storage, from which the shell is not removed, are placed in fabric or paper bags to ensure good air circulation.
6. Hazelnut kernels are stored in closed zip bags, plastic containers or ordinary glass jars covered with a nylon lid, since the presence of air significantly worsens their quality and reduces shelf life.
7. You can store hazelnuts at room temperature and average humidity, but under no circumstances should they be exposed to direct sunlight or sudden temperature changes.
8. Nut kernels can be stored in their purified form for up to six months, subjected to quick freezing: the product is placed in a container and sent to the freezer. The product must not be re-frozen.
9. The shelf life of harvested hazelnuts is extended, and the taste is improved if you send the nuts home to dry, under standard home conditions.

Peanut selection

The most common peanuts found on store shelves are roasted, dried or shelled peanuts. Today, groundnuts are practically no longer sold in their natural shell. This greatly simplifies the process of cleaning the product before use. The packaged product will be of high quality and have a large number of useful properties. The main thing is to wash the nuts thoroughly after opening the package. This is done regardless of the manufacturer.

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If you want to buy peanuts in shell and start cleaning and roasting them yourself, you need to know how to choose the right quality product. To do this, you must adhere to the following rules:

1. Ripe fruits should have a dry shell
   . It contains hard and large beans, which are groundnut grains. If the pod is damp or bends, the product was stored in a damp area or was not dried properly after harvest. In this case, the grains are spoiled or have a rancid taste.
2. When shaking, a dull sound
   . It is emitted by nuts when they come into contact with the walls of their natural shell. If the grains roll around inside, this indicates that they are very dry as a result of improper storage.
3. Uncleaned product should not have a musty or damp smell
   . If there is a specific aroma, this indicates that the pods are stale.
4. There cannot be any visual changes or defects in the form of spots
   .
5. With a high-quality product, when pressing on the pod, a cracking sound is heard
   . It opens easily without the use of force or additional impact.

Before purchasing peeled fruits, they should be examined visually. If among them there are spoiled nuts, then no amount of washing or soap solutions will save the situation. It is best to try the peanuts before further use. High-quality grains should have a pleasant taste without any signs of bitterness.

If possible, it is better to avoid buying crushed roasted or dried nuts. Unscrupulous sellers sometimes sell off remnants from old lots in this way. The fruits are simply not edible.

How to prepare hazelnuts for storage

Even a small bush can produce a good harvest of nuts. If you store hazelnuts correctly, you can be provided with this product all year round. But it is important to properly prepare the fruits for storage.

The hazelnut ripening period is August - September. You can determine that the fruits have reached full maturity by the brown color of their shells and falling to the ground when the branches are slightly shaken.

The crop should be harvested immediately after it ripens. Delay in this matter may lead to birds and rodents taking over the collection. After all, they have long appreciated this nut.

After the fruits are collected, they are sorted, removing damaged nuts and various debris. After which the remaining harvest is sent for drying.

Hazelnuts should be dried in places with good lighting and ventilation. This usually takes several days. The fruits should be well dried to ensure long-term storage. Therefore, such a procedure is mandatory.

You can tell that the nuts are ripe and well dried by the sound they make when poured. The sound should be ringing and clicking. And the kernel inside the shell should not knock against the walls.

You should not over-dry the nuts. Therefore, their condition during drying should be checked more often. To do this, the shell is cracked and the degree of drying of the kernel is determined.

Hazelnuts should be stored in their shells. Cleaned kernels will not retain their original quality for long.

The condition of the crop should be checked every 1 - 2 months to identify those fruits that have begun to deteriorate.

Do I need to wash walnuts?

In any case, whether the fruits are peeled or not, walnuts must be washed. After all, there is no certainty how they were collected, cleaned and where they were then stored. The shell must be washed to remove traces of pericarp and dirt, which is abundant due to harvesting during the rainy season. If the product is washed at production, it is packaged in packaging indicating that the nuts are washed. But the price is set several times higher.

• Nuts in shell. After washing, unshelled walnuts are dried for 1-2 weeks. They are laid out in one row on a fabric backing and mixed periodically. Drying is more effective outdoors: under a canopy, on a balcony, if weather conditions permit. The fruits are scattered on a net raised above the ground. Drying occurs through continuous air circulation. It is important to protect the batch from birds. Especially crows fly in flocks and steal nuts from their owners.
• Shelled walnuts. The washed kernels are dried in a frying pan without oil at minimum temperature. To do this, they are poured into a bowl and, with continuous stirring, heated for 15-20 minutes until the moisture has completely evaporated. Do not overcook or fry.

The shelf life of walnuts is affected not by the fact of washing, but by improper drying. Wet ones quickly sour and mold.

How to dry nuts?

Soaking and then drying nuts and grains is not a fad, but an important aspect in the absorption of food and improved digestion . The phosphorus present in the kernels is essential for maintaining healthy bones and overall health.

But it exists there in the form of phytates. And this makes up about 80% of the total mass of phosphorus. In the body, phytates react with calcium to form insoluble compounds. As a result, you do not absorb phosphorus and lose calcium.

Did you know? Walnuts

are
the only nuts high in Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids.
In addition to helping protect against heart disease and stroke, omega-3s provide protection against a wide range of diseases, from cancer and rheumatoid arthritis to inflammatory bowel disease and depression. Soaking nuts, grains and seeds for several hours, then dehydrating them at low temperatures, and then roasting or boiling them eliminates most of the phytates. As a result of the above actions, phytase is formed - an enzyme that neutralizes phytic acid and releases phosphorus.

The second problem that drying solves is eliminating excess moisture . The kernels contain enzyme inhibitors that are activated during germination. Once they receive moisture, they will begin to act, softening the grain and preparing it for growth. Removing excess moisture extends the shelf life of hazelnuts.

When drying in a dehydrator, set the temperature to +45°C. Distribute the kernels in a single layer on the tray. Drying time - 24 hours (until crispy). Check the resulting raw materials for taste. If you don't have a dehydrator, place the tray with the kernels in the sun and cover it with gauze to prevent dust and insects.

How to peel peanuts, almonds and pine nuts, including removing the husks

Peanuts are easy to peel after roasting in the oven for 3–5 minutes at 180°C. After this, the nuts are placed in a bag and “rolled” on the table with your hand or a rolling pin until the husks are completely destroyed. Peeled and dried fruits are poured into a sieve and rubbed with your hands until the crushed brown film pours out through the holes. If the peanuts were peeled raw, then the nuts are filled with water for several hours and freed from the film with your fingers.

Almonds and pine nuts are placed in boiling water for 1-2 minutes and then peeled in the same way as peanuts.

Knowing how to select, clean and store nuts, you can enjoy their taste all year round!

How long and at what temperature can hazelnuts be stored?

The temperature at which hazelnuts are stored plays an equally important role as the container. If the air humidity is within 12-14 degrees, then at a temperature of 3 to 12 degrees, hazelnuts will be stored for a year, and from 0 to 3 degrees - for several years. In this case, the nuts must be in shell.

Peeled hazelnuts have a shorter shelf life. The shelf life is several months. Moreover, it is not recommended to store hazelnuts that are subjected to heat treatment for a long time. A similar situation occurs with nuts that are mixed with salt or sugar. It is better to eat such hazelnuts as early as possible.

Hazelnuts in packaging can be stored for the period indicated on it. If the bag is transparent, then you need to transfer the nuts to a container. Otherwise, their taste properties will quickly be impaired, even under the right conditions and sufficient temperature conditions.

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How to store peeled hazelnuts at home

Experts recommend peeling hazelnuts no earlier than an hour before eating. This is explained by the fact that the kernels have the ability to quickly absorb extraneous aromas and moisture, which negatively affects their quality. If the nuts have already been peeled, then they are sent for storage in a dry, tightly closed ceramic or glass container.

Condensation may form in bags or plastic containers, which can lead to the rapid appearance of mold.

It is recommended to store peeled hazelnuts at a temperature of +3 ... +10 ° C and air humidity of 10-15%. Such conditions are considered optimal and ensure a shelf life of the finished product of 4-5 months. The longer shelled hazelnuts are stored, the greater the likelihood that they may go rancid, so it is recommended to consume the nuts as soon as possible.

Storing Peanut Butter

Peanut butter can be stored without problems for 12 months in a cool room away from bright light. Glass containers with a sealed lid are considered the most suitable for this product.

Once opened, containers of peanut butter and other peanut-based products should be used within a few weeks.

How to store nuts with additives

Sweet, salty with honey and sugar... These nuts are very popular among children and adults. When buying this delicacy for future use, you should remember that it has a limited shelf life - no more than 1 week in the refrigerator. Then the taste of the nuts begins to weaken and only the taste of the additive itself remains.

Nuts are a valuable and nutritious product. But you need to be able to store them correctly.

Storing hazelnuts with shells

You can store hazelnuts at home in their shells for a very long time. The main thing is just to make sure that the shell has no damage or traces of mold before sending it for storage. It is best to keep them in linen (natural fabric) bags in a cool place. If you store hazelnuts in a refrigerator, they will be usable for 1 year. In the freezer for 3 years. When storing hazelnuts in such devices, you need to place them in an airtight glass or plastic container.

All these rules will help preserve the taste and beneficial qualities of hazelnuts for as long as possible.

Storage tips

When insects appear in cereals, you should not throw them away immediately. You can keep the product for 3 - 4 days in the freezer (a balcony is suitable in winter). At sub-zero temperatures, pests will die from the cold. This product should be rinsed well before use.

You can repel insects from cereals using:

• garlic cloves,
• several bay leaves,
• hot pepper pods,
• dried lemon peel.

It was noticed that metal objects, being in the same container with rice cereals, also prevent bugs and moths from settling in it. Although there is no logical explanation why this happens. Insects also do not like the minty smell, so some housewives keep the corresponding chewing gum in their cereals.

Not only insect infestations and moisture can shorten the shelf life of rice, but also unpleasant musty odors. Therefore, many people pour the cereal into bags made of linen, where it can “breathe”. To prevent pests from reaching the product, the fabric is soaked in a salt solution (1:4) and dried thoroughly.

Salt in a fabric bag actively absorbs excess moisture. It is better to place the bag among the rice in a closed container. This will prevent fungi from developing and the product becoming damp.

Some useful tips

To ensure that everything goes well with the nut during storage, it would be useful to know that:

• It is extremely undesirable to store fried and salted fruits for a long time;
• they should not be kept in the same container with other varieties of nuts;
• Hazelnuts need to be thrown away if even slight signs of mold appear on them; no amount of washing will help them.

If the taste of the nut is slightly bitter, it means that it has begun to mold and can no longer be consumed.

Hazelnuts are a gourmet nut that can be enjoyed every day of the year. It is only important to comply with the storage conditions.

Product Matrix:

Hazelnut