Pistachio is a pale green edible seed known to have originated from the Middle East and Central Asia.
It is specially cultivated in the Mediterranean and the US. Pistachio grows on a small tree and belongs to the cashew nut family.
Pistachio provides a rich source of fiber, nutrients, and protein and has abundant health benefits. But do Pistachio go bad?
Well, like any other edible food that goes bad after some time, pistachio has its own shelf life.
Pistachios are comparatively more expensive than other nuts because of many reasons. This tree is grown only in some parts of the world.
Also, it hardly produces 50 pounds in a year. Iran is the world’s largest pistachio producer.
It is crucial to store pistachios the right way to maintain its quality and originality.
Let’s look at how long a pistachio can last and some steps to help you tell if pistachios have gone rancid.
How Long Do Pistachios Last? Do Pistachios Go Bad?
Like all nuts, pistachios have the propensity to become rancid if it is not stored in the right manner. All nuts like pistachio and cashews contain unsaturated fats.
So once the package is open, the lipids get exposed to the heat and get oxidized and become rancid.
The shelf life of Pistachios depends significantly on the storage condition.
Pistachios have contrasting shelf life depending on whether it is shelled or unshelled. Shelled pistachios last longer than the un-shelled pistachios.
Pistachios can be pricey, and once you buy them, you would want to store them a little longer unless you plan on finishing the whole at once.
Generally, Pistachios last for about a week or two at average room temperature. However, it is best to store at lower temperatures.
It is common knowledge that almonds, chestnuts, and all other tree nuts are stored at a lower temperature for a more extended storage period.
First thing, it is essential you know that it is crucial to store pistachios or any other nuts like hazelnuts or pine nuts in an airtight container.
There are many ways to save pistachios, depending on how long you want to store them. Pistachio stored in a cool place can last up to six months.
Or, if you want to maximize its storage term, you can store it in a refrigerator where pistachios can last for about 3-6 months.
You can also store pistachios in the freezer, which can contain the nuts quality for at least a year.
How to Tell if Do Pistachios are Bad? Pistachios Shelf Life!
Here are some tips on how you can tell if your pistachios have gone rancid:
- Usually, rancid nuts will have a foul smell like the smell of paint or an old unused plastic container. So if you doubt your pistachios have gone bad, take a sniff and see if it smells harsh.
- Watch out for molds creating some powdery coating on the nutmeat. Do not eat it if you see signs of decay on the nut because it can make you sick.
- You will also notice that the inner nutmeat has dehydrated, and only the outer layer remains to look dry. So when pistachios goes rancid, the nutmeat gets dry.
- Along with the unpleasant smell and molds, sometimes rancid pistachios stored in a container may contain insects or bugs.
- Fresh or quality pistachios should have green or yellow nutmeat. When pistachio turns terrible, it will start developing an odd dark brown color.
However, if you are unsure if your pistachio has gone wrong by the looks and smell of it, you can split a small portion off your nut and taste it, and it shall have an unpleasant taste. Rancid nuts generally taste bitter or sour.
Conclusion
Pistachios are old nuts and are well known for their rich source of nutrients, Vitamin B6, and Thiamine. It also provides a lot of health benefits.
You can snack on pistachios alone or use it for seasoning in different kinds of salad or food preparations.
Pistachios can also be an item for baking. It is rich in protein, fatty acids, and anti-oxidants.
Among many nuts produced and sold in the market, pistachios is one among the most consumed by people.
Do Pistachios Go Bad? How Long Do Pistachios Last?
Ingredients
- Pistachios
- Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
- Label your container with the content and date and keep track of how much youu0026#x27;re using!Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
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