I have old almonds & peanuts (2 years old in an airtight jar). Are they safe to eat?

Question

I bought them in bulk back in 2005 and put them in an air tight jar (old sauce glass jar). They were accidentally shipped with my stuff overseas! I just found them again along with peanuts, almonds, dried red beans / green beans / chick peas etc.. each in air tight jars. Is it safe to eat them?

Answer 1

the almonds and peanuts probably rancid by now. The oils in nuts gets rancid.

The dry stuff.. beans are probably still ok

Answer 2

Unless you have an allergy to the molds that grow on nuts and legumes (unlikely) they're safe to eat, but I'm guessing they'll be quite rancid. Unless you used safe canning procedures to preserve the food (sterilizing the jars, heating up the jars and the contents, using new canning lids, etc.) the jars are not air-tight, so the contents have been exposed to all the microorganisms in the air that cause food to decay. But it's unlikely that the food would make you sick (unless you have a weak immune system or allergies to molds).

Answer 3

I wouldn't try it. Take the lid off and smell them and look at them. Even touch one. That'll let you know. The beans are all fine though.

I accidentally popped an old almond in my mouth once (which had been in a sealed bag) and it was HORRID. I had to spit it in the sink.