How to Store Nuts and Seeds
Have you been wondering how to store nuts and seeds?
Once each year I organize a raw almond buy that also includes other nuts, seeds and health products. Since during the almond harvest is the only time in the U.S. when one can purchase truly raw almonds before the government pasteurizes them (did you know that some are pasteurized using PPO, which is a fuel?), we buy enough to last us the whole year, and so we need to store them properly so that they last the entire year.
Whether or not you purchase raw almonds only once per year, buying in bulk can save your family a lot of money and trips to the store. I almost never go shopping at the grocery store because I have almost everything that I need on hand at anytime. And with the price of gas being what it is today, the savings really add up!
In a nutshell (pun intended :-)), you can store your seeds and nuts:
- at room temperature for at least 3 months
- in the refrigerator for up to 6 months
- and in the freezer for a year or more
However, I have also heard of others storing nuts in the refrigerator for one year with no problems whatsoever. I know that our crop from the past year was stored partially in the fridge and partially in the freezer and they did not go rancid. One person who purchased almonds with our group buy told me that she had them stored at room temperature for a whole year and that they still tasted fine.
One thing to think about is that some nutrients may deteriorate in the freezer, particularly vitamin E. However, I am much more concerned about getting my almonds raw than about whether or not they lose some vitamin E in storage. So I am opting to store what I can in the fridge and the rest will go in the freezer.
Now, like all other busy people, I like to keep things simple and workable, so the following steps are just like those I outlined in my post on storing prepared beans.
Here are the basics of my nut and seed storage "system":
- Purchase raw seeds and nuts in bulk to save money.
- Transfer nuts and seeds to sturdy plastic bags (I purchase 6 x 3 x 15 inch 2 mm thick plastic bread bags from Country Life Natural Foods. The same size bread bags are available on Amazon, but I have not tested them.).
- Secure bags with a Twixit Clip.
- Store in fridge or freezer until it is time to soak and dehydrate.
- After dehydrating, put nuts or seeds back in original bag, seal with clip and store in fridge or in a nice glass or plastic container for easy munching access!
You can, of course, choose to store your nuts in glass or plastic containers at room temperature. Some people like to store them in canning jars for an old-fashioned pantry look.
So, that's it! Now you too can take advantage of the money-saving possibilities of purchasing nuts and seeds in bulk and storing them safely!
For more bulk food storage tips check out my posts on:
- How to Store Prepared Beans
- How and Why to Dehydrate (Saving Money)- Part 1
- How and Why to Dehydrate (Saving Time and Space) - Part 2
Do you have any other bulk food storage questions?
Would it make sense to buy the pieces if I only really intend to soak, dehydrate and make milk and butter????
Do you mean b/c they are cheaper? If so, I would think so.
I guess part of that question should be - Does sprouting add nutrients or is it the same nutritive value to soak and dehydrate the pieces and use them as opposed to paying more for whole almonds? Thanks!
It is the same either way as far as I know.
Hi there,
I'm reading all your helpful hints and instructions on soaking and dehydrating nuts and seeds. I just bought the Excalibur dehydrator and will be staring today on some nuts.
I'm intrigued that you buy your almonds at harvest for the year. I learned recently about the pasteurizing of the nuts - crazy!
So, can I ask about your source? Where you buy them from and when they are available? I live in Canada but I'm sure I could get this shipped up here or I can have them delivered to my US postal address.
If you could let me know, that would be great- I really enjoy your site...... will continue reading more now 😉
The order happened but I didn't go w/ them this year. I wasn't happy w/ them earlier and it was a real bother. Maybe next year? Thanks!
Just Almonds don't sell organic almonds........is that ok? I thought non-organic almonds were really bad....or is it just because of the PPO treatment and these are steamed so they're ok?
I am not concerned about that. I haven't heard about tons of pesticides being used on almonds and they have a thick shell. They are certainly not on the "dirty dozen" list. I find them to be way too expensive as organics so I choose Just Almonds and I am thrilled with them.
I buy almonds and other nuts from Tierrafarm.
They have organic almonds that are not pasteurized. Their nut butters are awesome!
I live in new york would also love to get the raw almonds in bulk if possible thanks
The order is done but you can order great almonds from Just Almonds. Check out my review on my blog. You get 10% off using code WNM. They are only steamed - no engine fuel.
I live in Massachusetts and am interested in a bulk order of organic raw almonds. Hmmm . . . I wonder if Whole Foods (grocery chain) would have them at this time of year?
Hi. Whole foods will only have really raw almonds if they are imported. No US almonds can be sold in stores unpasturized. Email me at wholenewmom at gmail dot com if you would like to be on the email list - I should be sending out emails soon!
Oh okay. Probably it's the oil in the nuts which cause them to go rancid, so removing the water (by dehydration) doesn't help. Thanks for your reply, keep up the good work.
Thanks! The water is added and then removed. The only effect of the soaking is on the enzymes. Take care and hope to see you around again!
If you soaked and dehydrated the nuts, wouldn't they last a long time at room temperature, avoiding the need for refrigeration/freezing?
The soaking affects enzymes - I don't believe it affects how long they can be stored at room temp.
Thank you so much. Fascinating article.
You're welcome. Take care!
- Adrienne
Thanks so much for the prompt reply. Is your bulk order also from Country Life Natural Foods?
No - the bulk order I handle. It's when the almonds come off the trees , before the FDA makes them get sprayed. See my post on Almonds and Jet Fuel.
For readers looking for good sources for nuts and beans, if you have ethnic grocery stores in your area, they often have good prices, even better than the natural food stores. This tends to be true in the Los Angeles area (where there are Middle Eastern and Asian markets) and I would think should work in other areas as well.
Do you buy your bulk nuts and beans online by special order?
I buy some of mine at Country Life Natural Foods and some in the late fall when I do a bulk order of mostly raw almonds, but sometimes I tack on other nuts or seeds, depending on the prices.
Please help me!! I need to find good nuts at compatible prices! I have yet to taste a delicious nut and i shall NEVERR give up my search until i find one! i am craaaaazy about nuts!!!
Thanks for your help!
xoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxox
ps i love nuts
Where do you live, Pamala - I have a pretty good source that I purchase from.
I would love to talk to you about possibly getting raw almonds too! I live in SLC, Utah
I would also like to find raw almonds in bulk. I live in the northern part of sc near charlotte nc.
Thanks
I am in eastern NC. Is that what you needed to know?
I am interested in buying raw almonds! I need to get them at a good price of course. 🙂 Do you know some sources where I could buy some? Also, I would love to hear your comments about the gaps diet.
Could you let me know where you are located? I can possibly help you out with the raw almonds. Essentially, I think it is very important to follow certain guidelines when on GAPS and there are certain individuals who may struggle with the diet. One person whom I personally know did worse on the diet. I believe that it is related to being copper toxic and the reliance on the diet of nut based products.
What would you consider a year supply and when is season for them?
This all depends on how much you and your family eat. Our family, for example, ate a ridiculous amount of raw almonds this past year. I soaked and dried them, ate them as is, made them into almond butter and ground them as best I could into flour. Whenever I make almond butter I make 3 pounds at a time since the clean up is a bit tedious and I do almost everything in bulk :-).
Raw almonds come off the trees around October so we were able to order them in Oct / Nov.
Hi Adrienne,
Saw your comment to Healthy Home Economist's blog about GAPS the other day:
"I personally know a number of people who have gone on the GAPS diet only to find themselves in a worse situation than they were before."
I posted a reply/question at the HHE blog, but thought I'd try you here. 🙂
Could you please email me with more info about your comment? I am concerned as we are about to start the GAPS Intro soon. Thank you for sharing what you've seen with others with me.
Beth
I love the quick reference you put up for: room temp, in the fridge, in the freezer. That makes perfect sense.
Great and very timely post! There's a great online Groupon deal today for Nutty Guys that I'm planning to purchase. Not sure how much I will get, but wasn't sure if they would last long. Thanks!
You are so welcome!