Do Cashews Go Bad? How Long Do Cashews Last?

Table of Contents
In this article, you will know the answer to the query “Do Cashews Go Bad? How Long Do Cashews Last?“.
It’s hard to resist the nutty goodness of cashews. In addition to being inexpensive, they have a great taste and are nutritionally beneficial.
They have a host of benefits, including improving blood and eye health and lowering cholesterol, according to Healthline.
It might make you want to try the cashews you bought a while back just by reading this. The packaging may say best by 4 weeks, but it has already been more than 4 weeks since it was packaged.
As a matter of fact, we don’t usually consume nuts frequently. Also, the nuts look fine, causing you to question the validity of the label and wonder if cashews go bad.
We’re sure this article will answer any questions you have about the expiry of cashews, so you can enjoy them right away. Continue reading without further ado.
Do Cashews Go Bad? How Long Do Cashews Last?
Cashew lasts for a reasonable amount of time, but over time, they begin to go bad. It is not only nuts that go bad, but they also turn rancid.
When nuts become rancid, their oil molecules oxidize, giving them strange flavors and pungent odors.
According to experts, consuming rancid nuts may have detrimental effects on your health (source). Cashew nuts are also affected by this.
When it comes to shelf life, cashews are somewhere in the middle. Their shelf life is longer than that of pine nuts and walnuts, but not as long as that of almonds. The exact life of these products depends on the conditions under which they are processed and stored.
Unopened and opened cashew nuts can be stored for the following periods of time:
- 2-4 weeks in the pantry (away from sunlight)
- 6-9 months in the fridge
- 12 months in the freezer
- 2-4 weeks in the pantry (away from sunlight)
- 6-9 months in the fridge
- Over a year in the freezer
LiveStrong reports that cashews never come fully raw because the covering contains ‘urushiol,’ the same substance found in poison ivy.
Raw cashews can, however, be purchased from a few manufacturers for culinary purposes. The best By dates for raw cashews are roughly the same as those for processed cashews:
- About 1 month in the pantry
- 4-5 months in the refrigerator
- Up to a year in the freezer
How to Tell If Cashews are Bad? Cashews Shelf Life!
There is an incredibly simple way to tell whether cashews are bad or not.
As a result, all the fats and oils present within these nuts degrade while giving very obvious signs:
- Mold growth
- A paint-like odor
- Appearing shriveled and darkened
- Bitter taste
Previously, we mentioned that heat and air are the main causes of rancidity. As stated by eHow, these two ingredients oxidize the fat chains in cashew nuts, forming harmful chemicals.
It is the minor oxidation of cashews that causes the nuts to darken and deteriorate, emitting a paintlike smell as a result.
It is believed that mold grows when oxygen and moisture are present, according to Moldpedia, an online mold encyclopedia. In humid locations, cashews are more likely to develop mold unless they are frozen or refrigerated.
Conclusion
Keeping cashews in an airtight container in a cool and dark place will extend their shelf life. Improving its shelf life can be accomplished with a little effort.
Make use of the preservation guidelines now that you are familiar with them and enjoy some delicious cashews!
Do Cashews Go Bad? How Long Do Cashews Last?
PREP TIME
15 minutes
COOK TIME
15 minutes
TOTAL TIME
30 minutes
Ingredients
- Cashews
- 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 you’re using!
- Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
- If frozen, thaw in the fridge before use. Always check for signs of spoilage before use.
If you want to read more about food preservation, read here: FOOD PRESERVATION.