Michigan State University Extension
Preserving Food Safely - 01600665
10/13/97
Light, heat and moisture facilitate enzymes in nuts
and seeds causing rancidity. This makes it inappropriate
to keep nuts for a long time in open bowls, clear glass jars
or on sunny counter tops.
Any nuts or seeds kept for longer than a month should
be stored in the freezer. Freeze chopped, ground, whole,
roasted or spiced nuts in the shell or even in an unopened
can. Nuts that are salted or spiced have a freezer
storage life of six months, about half the time that
plain nut meats can be stored in the freezer. Seeds also
freeze for six months. Toasting and roasting diminish
freezer storage life, and are best done when the nuts and
seeds come out of the freezer, rather than before freezing;
unless you intend to freeze them for only a few months.
Unless freezer space is limited, it's best to freeze nuts
in their shells, and crack them as needed. Use nuts and
seeds directly from the freezer, without thawing first.