So do pistachios go bad if you keep them longer than you should? At this point, you have no idea whether it’s possible to consume these seeds or not after they pass their expiration date.
Or, after seeing pistachios on sale, you’re still uncertain about how long the nuts could last before bringing them home! For this reason, it’s time to dig a little more into this issue. Before that, you need to know further about pistachios and their benefits beyond food.
Do Pistachios Go Bad?
Like other nuts, pistachios definitely go bad if these are not stored properly. Pistachios have unsaturated fats, so once they are opened, such lipids will get exposed to direct heat. As a result, they become oxidized and go stale.
Besides, if pistachios are left in your pantry past their expiration date, their quality will decrease and can’t be used anymore.
Pistachios – Small Nuts But Huge Nutritional Power
The pistachio (Pistacia vera) refers to a small tree species belonging to the cashew family. It’s the only tree that has edible fruits, which are known as pistachios (1).
Interestingly, pistachios tend to grow in clusters and get covered by a hull. Once the fruits ripen, their kernels still grow till the shells open on their own.
These fruits derive from the Middle East and Central Asia and can be found in various dishes. With a rich flavor and savory texture, pistachios appear in seafood meals and sweet desserts and side dishes.
Better than thought, pistachios are edible nuts that are delicious and super healthy to consume.
As a rich source of protein, fiber, and powerful antioxidants, pistachios can bring plenty of health benefits (2). These include aid in weight loss, gut health, a decrease in cholesterol, and more.
In China, pistachios are called happy nuts since you can feel like the nuts are smiling at you. During the New Year, pistachios make a meaningful gift for family and friends when symbolizing health, happiness, and prosperity.
As reported by NutritionData, pistachios are among the most potassium-dense foods. According to the USDA, only one serving of a half-cup of pistachios has more potassium than half of a giant banana.
The nuts are also packed with vitamin B-6, an essential vitamin that the human body needs for diverse functions. It’s also essential for building up hemoglobin that helps carry oxygen in your blood cells.
You should see the video below:
How To Tell If Your Pistachios Go Bad?
Like other nuts, these smiling nuts are likely to go rancid when not stored properly. Of course, you have a significant number of ways to know if pistachios are going wrong or not. A few typical signs of rancidity tell that your pistachios have gone bad:
- A foul odor and bitter flavor
- Mold on the nuts
- A change in color
- Shriveled appearance
- Insects or bugs in the package
Smell
First, you should check for signs of spoilage by doing a sniff job!
Rancid pistachios will deliver a terrible smell, which resembles the unpleasant odor of paint. According to some people, the scent reminds them of the nail polish remover.
Look
Next, you should watch the pistachios closely to see if there’s any moldy part on the surface. The spoiled part is where the powdery coating is visible on your nuts.
Besides, only fresh pistachios own the yellowish and green color. As you notice them becoming browner, then the nuts reveal the rancidity.
When this sign shows up, throw the nuts away without needing to taste them. Note that eating many stale nuts isn’t healthy at all.
Another good way to detect spoilage signs is to examine the body of pistachios to see if they have a shriveled look or not. Your nuts look like losing all of the nutmeats but only a little skin left over. If that’s the situation, you probably do not want to keep them in the pantry.
Or, after opening the package, you spot some creepy insects or bugs crawling inside pistachios. Once such crawlies appear, toss out the packet right away!
Taste
As you know, nuts are good in taste. Thus, when your nuts taste a bit bitter, which means that the fats in pistachios turn spoiled.
How Long Do Your Pistachios Last?
Some people claim that pistachios last one week in the pantry, while others say that it takes longer than that. So who would you trust? Let’s find out how long pistachios last in various conditions!
Shelled Pistachios
Shelled pistachios can get stored in the refrigerator for one year and it’s possible to eat them within the initial two years in the freezer.
However, make sure to store the nuts in air-tight containers so that they can retain the best quality before serving. If so, when leaving shelled pistachios in the pantry, you can use them within five months.
Unshelled Pistachios
If refrigerating unshelled pistachios, you can use them for over twelve months with the right storage.
Note that pistachios only retain their quality for not up to six months at room temperature. Thus, you should consume them as soon as possible to get the most of the nuts. In the freezer, your pistachios can be kept safe for over 12 months.
Roasted Pistachios
If you have roasted pistachios, then they last shorter than both shelled and unshelled nuts. That’s because exposure to oxygen and heat causes the healthy unsaturated fats in pistachios to oxidize and start to change the taste.. In the fridge, you can keep them fresh for over 3 months.
A packet of roasted pistachios can maintain their freshness for six months. Make sure to check the package’s Use-By date when you get them in-store.
After all, when buying a packet of pistachios, do not miss the information on the label.
However, the date mentioned on that is only an estimate, and it’s still okay to consume nuts out of that date. You only need to ensure pistachios don’t go rancid.
Last but not least, pistachios bear opposite shelf life based on whether it gets shelled or unshelled.
Shelled pistachios tend to last slightly shorter than unshelled pistachios no matter if you store them in the pantry or fridge.
How To Store Pistachios In The Right Manner
It’s a must to store pistachios in the proper way to extend their shelf life and taste. Your healthy snack can go stale anytime if you don’t keep them safe. But as long as you follow these three basic ways, you can retain your nuts fresh for much longer.
Keep Pistachios In Resealable Bags
Your nuts can maintain their freshness and quality if you keep them in a resealable bag or a container. Whenever putting pistachios in the fridge, such a container prevents your snack from picking up any nasty smells. Doing this helps store the nuts in a couple of days.
Store Pistachios In Air-Tight Containers
Out of three methods, putting pistachios in air-tight containers would be the most effective. It’s okay to use glass jars or plastic containers for storage. Doing so prevents your nuts from absorbing excess moisture and getting moldy.
Put Your Pistachios In The Fridge Or Freezer
Some people get pistachios from the bulk bins in a retail store, which means that their nuts can last a couple of weeks. However, you might want them to last longer than half a year, for instance; then think of keeping them in the fridge.
Come to keep nuts in the freezer or refrigerate them for the highest freshness. If you want to store pistachios for an extended amount of time, this way is the best!
Importantly, keep the nuts away from bold-smelling foods such as fish, onions, vinegar, and other fermented dishes.
Note that storing nuts in air-tight containers should be done before refrigeration, and freezing will help you keep your shelled pistachios up to 24 months and unshelled pistachios over 12 months.
In sum, putting pistachios in resealable bags or air-tight containers could keep them fresh for a few days. For a longer storage time, place nuts in containers before refrigerating or freezing them.
Watch this video to know more:
Bonus Tips On Storing Pistachios Safely
You’ve already known how to store pistachios correctly. However, remember not to have the nuts exposed to the heat. The oils in them will turn rancid, and it’s hard to fix that! Check out some extra tips on storing your nuts for better results:
- Put pistachios in a dark place without direct sun or heat.
- Write the date you store nuts on the package to know which packet should be used first.
- Enable cold pistachios to warm up at room temperature before opening. Doing so will help maintain the nuts’ safe moisture level.
- Storing pistachios in the fridge or freezer allows them to taste less bitter and more savory for an extended period.
FAQs
Like other nuts, pistachios are likely to go stale if you don’t store them in the right manner. There is more helpful information about these types of nuts you might love to know.
Enjoy Your Pistachios Before They Go Bad
I bet that you’ve finally known when pistachios go bad. Once the nuts go rancid and can’t be used, go with some pistachios alternatives to save your dishes.
As you see, pistachios are known as incredibly healthy food for humans when loaded with proteins, vitamins, and powerful antioxidants. Thus, it’s necessary to preserve them correctly and avoid consuming rotten ones for the maximum benefits from the nuts.
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References
(1) Pistachio – Wikipedia. (2021), from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pistachio
(2) (2021) Nuts, pistachios nuts, raw, from https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170184/nutrients
