After purchasing a mixed nuts gift box, you might wonder what to do with all the excess. Of course, you love the nut gift baskets available and enjoy all the gourmet nuts included. However, there's often a large assortment, such as Brazil nuts, honey-roasted options, dried fruit, and more. Though delicious, you must know how to store them properly.
In fact, it's crucial to know how to store nuts correctly because you want them to taste great and stay fresh as long as possible. Though a premium mixed nuts gift basket will likely come in a container, it might not be wise to keep them there unless you plan to eat them all in a few days.
Nuts are a heart-healthy snack, which is why many people give nut gifts. However, they can go rancid if you don't protect them. Since gourmet nuts have a higher fat content than other products, they can go bad if you expose them to heat. When the oils go bad within the nut gifts, you can't fix it.
Here are a few storage tips to help you protect your dried fruit and assorted nuts gift basket.
Tips for Safely Storing Nuts After Purchasing Nut Gift Baskets
Most people don't realize that nuts should always be stored in the freezer or refrigerator instead of in a food pantry that's at room temperature. Why is this? Nuts contain significant amounts of unsaturated fat, which is a delicate oil. Therefore, they're prone to rancidness.
Spoilage is often accelerated when light, heat, and oxygen are present. Therefore, it's wise to store seeds and nuts in the freezer or fridge to lessen the exposure of all three. Your tree nuts will taste less bitter and have more flavor for longer periods.
- Use containers with an air-tight seal, such as plastic bags or glass jars. Remove the premium nuts from the gift basket, as well as the dried fruit, and keep them separated. The nuts will maintain the right moisture level this way.
- If you choose to store premium nuts and dried fruit at room temperature, remove them from the gift basket first. Make sure you find a dark space with no direct heat, sealing them in an air-tight container for the best results. They can last up to three months like this. Overall, this includes Brazil nuts, pecans, pistachios, cashews, peanuts, and even dried fruits like apricots.
- Store the nuts from your gift basket in the refrigerator for up to six months. However, keep them away from strong-smelling foods because they can take on the smell of other snacks. If you have smelly cheese, it's wise to put them on separate shelves.
- Label the packages with the date of when you put them in storage. This will help you determine which ones to eat first from the nut gift.
- Allow the cold nuts from the nut gift basket to warm up to room temperature before you open the bag so that they don't absorb more moisture.
A Few More Tips for Storing Nuts from a Nuts Gift Basket
- Generally, raw, whole nuts and seeds will stay fresher for longer periods. Once they're ground, roasted, or chopped, they release the oils within. This exposes them to more oxygen, so they might go rancid faster.
- Nuts in the shells last longer than those that have been shelled.
- Salted nuts don't last as long as unsalted ones.
- Chestnuts aren't shelf-stable compared to pistachios, cashews, pecans, and others. Therefore, you should freeze them.
- Peanuts, walnuts, and pecans are prone to spoilage.
- Almonds and cashews are least likely to spoil.
- Before using any nuts, smell them first to ensure they're still good. If you purchase savory or sweet ones, you should get whiffs of those flavors. Consider tasting one before the occasion to ensure they're still delicious.
A Note about Onions and Shells
You can store nuts in and out of the shell, but they last longer in the shell. However, you'll have to let them come to room temperature before shelling them, so it might take longer to bake or cook with them for a special occasion, such as a birthday or the holidays.
Likewise, you want to keep your nuts and fruit away from onions. High-odor foods will penetrate the nuts and fruit, so they will take on that flavor and scent.
Delicious Nuts and Fruit Gift Baskets for All
Whether you like sweet or savory, you need a delicious snack that will meet all of your needs. Pair nuts with chocolates or honey and cheese to create a fresh option for any occasion. Just remember to store them correctly to avoid problems!
