Have you come upon a big discounted bag of pistachios in your neighborhood store?
This is not something that happens very frequently, therefore you should seize this opportunity with both hands. However, you don’t want your pistachios to go bad before you’ve completed the bag.
Pistachios are high in protein, antioxidants, and fatty acids and are popular worldwide. Pistachios can be used in baking and savory meals, in addition to being a quick and easy snack.
So, Do Pistachios Go Bad? or whether they will be safe to use for an extended period of time?
How To Store Pistachios?
The key to properly storing pistachios is to keep them from getting rancid. This can occur when exposed to air and sunlight. As a result, it is preferable to store pistachios in an airtight container in a cold, dark environment.
This will work if your pistachios arrive in an airtight container. Otherwise, after opening the packaging, move the pistachios to an airtight glass or plastic container.
Should You Refrigerate Pistachios?
Pistachios, like other tree nuts, retain better at cooler temperatures. This slows the rate at which they get rancid, allowing your pistachios to last longer. Pistachios should be stored in the refrigerator, according to certain manufacturers’ packaging.
Pistachios, on the other hand, are not usually sold chilled. While cooling delays the process slightly, it makes little impact. However, if you want to keep your pistachios for a long time, this may be an excellent option.
If you are not intending to consume them for a time, you may also freeze them. Before freezing the pistachios, make sure the container is airtight. When you’re ready to eat them, defrost the pistachios in the fridge overnight.
How Long Do Pistachios Last?
The shelf life of your pistachios might vary greatly, particularly if you buy them from a big supermarket bin. It will be hard to tell how old your pistachios are if they are unpackaged. Even if you buy a package with a best before date, keep in mind that this is only a recommendation.
In general, shelled pistachios can be stored in the pantry for five months and in the refrigerator for one year. Freezing pistachios can increase their shelf life by up to two years.
Unshelled pistachios can be stored in the pantry for six months or in the refrigerator for one year. Storing unshelled pistachios in the freezer provides no advantage. They will only last a year in the freezer, therefore it is more practical to store them in the refrigerator.
However, the shelf life of pistachios is mostly determined by storage conditions. Your pistachios will grow rancid rapidly if they are exposed to heat, air, and sunlight.
How Can You Tell If Pistachios Are Bad?
Since we now know the answer to the question, “Do Pistachios Go Bad?,” there are a few things you should keep an eye out for to determine whether or not the quality of your pistachios has deteriorated. If an open product has been stored in the pantry for an extended period of time, it may have gotten infected with pantry bugs. Throw the bag right away and carefully check the other items in your pantry.
Pistachios can shrivel and dry up if they are not stored properly. You may also notice that they taste bitter or that mold has formed on the surface of the nuts. In all of these scenarios, the pistachios should be discarded.
None of these rotting indications should be present if your pistachios have been perfectly stored. Pistachios, like most foods, will go bad if stored for an extended period of time. In this instance, your pistachios will gradually get rancid.
Take A Sniff
Unfortunately, merely glancing at pistachios will not tell you if they are rancid. If the nuts smell strongly like paint, they are most likely rancid. Rancid pistachios will taste harsh and bitter as well.
Despite their unpleasant flavor, eating rancid pistachios will not get you sick. Still, the taste and smell will make them unpleasant, and it is preferable to discard them.
You may discover that the pistachios taste fine but have turned soft and stale throughout the storage procedure. Your prized pistachio nuts can still be saved in this situation. To restore the crunch and fresh flavor of the nuts, shell them and toast them at 200°F for fifteen minutes.
Can You Eat Closed Pistachios?
Finding completely closed nuts in your pistachio bag might be irritating. While you may not want to waste money by just throwing these nuts, cracking the shells might be challenging. Even if there is a little crack, putting a knife or other item into it is going to be difficult, and we always advocate using one of the best nutcrackers for understandable reasons.
As the nuts mature, the shells of the pistachios spontaneously open. As a result, closed shells indicate a small and immature pistachio. Although it will still be safe to eat and flavorful, getting to the nut will take a little more work.
Are You Looking For Long-Lasting Pistachios?
Then go no farther than Wonderful Pistachios, Roasted and Salted, 1.5 Ounce (Pack of 24), PLANTERS Pistachio Lover’s Mix, 1.15 lb. Resealable Canister, Trader Joe’s Dry Roasted and Unsalted Pistachio Nutmeats Halves and Pieces, 8 oz, or No Shell Pistachios, 3 Pounds – Raw, Unsalted, Kernels, Sirtfood, Bulk.
Last Words
Check your pistachios carefully before purchasing to ensure that they are of the highest quality. Fresh and crunchy pistachios are preferable over old, dry, and stale pistachios. If you buy pistachios from a big supermarket bin, be sure there is a significant turnover.
It might be difficult to know how fresh pistachios are when buying in bulk. As a result, it may be preferable to choose a packet with a best before date printed on it. If you’re buying in bulk, try a few samples from the bin to determine whether they meet your expectations before you make a purchase.
Have fun with your cooking and your pistachios!
