How can you tell if nutmeats (like cashews, almonds, pecans...) have gone rancid?

Question

I am unsure how to tell if nuts are not fresh, or even if they are what people call 'rancid'. Is there a difference in color? taste? smell? Could someone please explain this to me? I also would like to know the best way to store nuts and how long do they last? Thanks!

Answer 1

If the nuts are in their original airtight packaging they may be in a nitrogen atmosphere which would delay rancidification (and the hatching of bugs).

Keeping fats chilled delays rancidification, but it doesn't prevent it. So fats can go bad in the refrigerator or even the freezer, but it takes considerably longer.

Chill or store nuts for up to 3 months. If they're rancid, they smell "gassy" and taste horrible, of course. You can toss them or throw them to the birds.

Answer 2

You must really like nuts !!!
they have a nasty taste when rancid
they keep for a loooooooooooooooooong time but if you want you can store in the freezer and take them out just before you eat them they really dont freeze like other foods
It's not necessary to freeze them though because they keep for A loooooooooong time.....
tupperware is the best storage of anything A friend of mine has family that is are missionaries some where, where it's really humid an muggy and tupperware is the only thing that keeps mold from thier camera equipment etc~~~ect~~~

Answer 3

Rancidity is what happens when a fat or oil oxidizes. The best way to prevent this is freezing the nuts in an airtight bag. I've kept them a year or so this way w/ no problems.

The flavor and smell will be off.... a bit "sour" or have a "bite" to it.

Answer 4

Yowee I just thought of the coolest thing. Maybe I will invent it. Ya know peanut butter. Why not make Cahew butter or Macadamia butter, or Pistachios butter, or almond butter? Um yeah I like Ice Cream too. Oh don't do a Walnut butter though, then ya really would need jelly on it. Dallas

Answer 5

What Do Pecans Look Like

Answer 6

Do Almonds Go Bad

Answer 7

You can taste the difference. A rancid nut just tasted old and spoiled. I keep mine in a plastic bag in the refrigerator and they stay fresh for a long time.

Answer 8

nuts don't go rancid, the oil in them does.

You'll notice a paint-thinner like smell to them.

Roasted nuts stay better longer than raw.

If you have had them stored in a container not in direct sunlight, and not overly hot, they should last for a month or more. If you've had them significantly longer than that, toss 'em.

Answer 9

Taste them. If they are rancid they will taste bitter and a bit "off". Store them in the freezer for up to a year to keep them fresh.

Answer 10

They usually smell & taste like old oil. Hard to describe but if you have ever smelled or tasted rancid oil you know.