Do almonds go bad [ Keep almonds fresh ]

Do Almonds go bad:

We explore do almonds go bad, how fast do almonds go bad and what happens if you eat bad almonds amongst other topics.

Do almonds go bad:

Almonds are not only nutritious but they can also be delicious as many people enjoy eating almonds raw as a snack or for dessert. They can also be used in various recipes including dishes like pasta sauce, salad dressing and almond butter.

Almonds are high in protein, calcium, vitamin E and fiber and almonds stay good for eating for a long time but there are a few factors which could lead to the spoiling of almonds so to answer the question: Can almonds go bad, YES but it is hard to tell because they don't spoil quickly and can last for up to a year if stored properly.

The length of time that the almonds have been stored, the packaging, storage conditions and whether they have been properly dried all effect the wellness of almonds as if they are not properly dried then it can be difficult for them to last long. 

Also high humidity environment is not suitable for storing these nuts as moisture will lead to them going bad. 

How to tell if almonds are bad:

3 steps to begin by examining almonds for the usual signs of spoilage.

First: Look for dark spots or molds. 

Second: Now you need to smell them properly and if the smell resembles rancid oil then it is time to part ways.

Third and final step: You should taste them and if they are bitter, simply throw them.

It's pretty much the same story with almond snacks, taste a few almonds to make sure they are of good quality if they also look good then you are good to go regardless of the sell by date.

If the flavour remains intact and you have not stored them for too long then almonds will stay fresh and good to eat if not, throw them out as you may become ill if you eat spoiled almonds.

Why Almonds go bad:

Despite their appearance, almonds are seeds from the fruit of the almond tree. Fat oils are present in the almond meat and it is the oxidation of the oils that leads to almonds going bad. Almond oils turn brown when exposed to heat, light and oxygen thus humidity can contribute to rancidity and that's why almonds go bad.

 

How long do almonds last:

How long do almonds last:

It different for snack almonds and raw almonds. The estimate time frame is mentioned below in the table for both but to begin with let's take raw almonds and a bag that hasn't been opened:

Almonds can be stored for up to 12 months if properly stored and possibly longer if properly stored.

The date on the label is the best place to start when buying unopened snack almonds (both processed and in stores). The snacks won't spoil in a day or a week after that date but their quality will deteriorate over time. At some point, they will no longer taste like what you're used to. 

Don't keep snack almonds in a warm or open place, always cover almonds to preserve them. In general, it is advantageous to finish the snacks as soon as possible once you have opened the package. A month in the fridge and two weeks in the pantry are pretty safe estimates. Check the label for more accurate info but if it isn't there, keep an estimate of 2 weeks after opening them. 

How fast do almonds go bad:

The following table illustrates how fast almonds go bad and also shows how long almonds are good food after opening (both raw and snacking almonds) so you can store almonds better and they stay fresh.

Almonds (raw) unopened	Stored in a cool place, fridge or in a freezer bag in freeze, sealed tightly.	1+ year(s) In fridge
Almonds (raw) opened	Cold temperatures are best for storing raw almonds. Almonds are best stored in a refrigerator or in a freezer bag in freezer, sealed tightly.	4-6 months depend on how well you have stored almonds.
Snack almonds (unopened)	Best-by + 2 at room temperature and 4 weeks in the fridge	Keep air tight and in a cool place
Snack almonds (opened)	The almonds should be eaten within a week if you store them at room temperature or within 2 weeks if you store them in the refrigerator.	Keep air tight and in a cool place

 

Tips for storing almond for longer:

Almonds have a short shelf life due to a few factors for example, the size of the pieces makes a difference because a whole almond tends to have a longer shelf life because their skin protects them against moisture. 

If you store almonds in metal containers then the nuts will also have a shorter shelf life. Nuts can become contaminated by certain metal properties that leach out of the metal and it is also likely to spoil when there is additional moisture present. 

If you roast, chop or prepare almonds in any other manner then there is a greater moisture content contributing to rancidity and almonds going bad quicker.

So:

= Whole almonds last longer than chopped, pieced, skinless or roasted almonds.

= Don't store in a metal jar

= Processed almonds have more moisture than raw almonds so they go bad quicker.

= Proper food storage is important to minimise waste and save grocery budget.

 

What happens if you eat bad almonds:

A spoiled almond isn't poisonous however, its fat isn't useful. If consumed frequently rancid fat may contribute to chronic health problems. 

It's time to throw away the almonds when they don't smell fresh or  they look bad or yellowish or obvious mold appears on them or almonds just simply tastes bitter.

Good almonds:

How to know best quality almonds:

Make sure the almond is shaken in the shell before purchasing it and if the nut rattles inside the shell it is probably old and shrinked. The best almonds to buy are those with a solid white-creamy colour all over. Slicing an almond and seeing yellow or a honeycomb pattern also indicates that it is rancid.

What to do with old almonds:

As long as almonds taste ok and no mold and smell is present, you can eat them even if if they are old almonds. They can be revived by toasting them in a dry pan or oven but they can also be used in recipes that call for nuts. Toasted with spices, eat them as nibbles or added to increase crunch to soups, stews and salads to get the most of old almonds.

Are poisonous almonds bad:

Some almonds are bitter and poisonous when raw. The bitter almond contains glycoside amygdalin, a poisonous compound which when consumed in sufficient amounts, will break toxin down into hydrogen cyanide which can in turn lead to death.

A healthy adult can be poisoned with as few as six to ten bitter almonds and consuming bitter almonds in excess of 50 can be fatal. Bitter almonds can however be consumed in moderation.

After they are subjected to heat treatments such as baking, microwaving, roasting, or boiling, bitter almonds lose up to 98% of their cyanide content. It is unclear whether bitter almonds that have been thermally processed are safe but it's safe to conclude that you should stay away from bitter almonds.

Conclusion:

The nutritional benefits of almonds have already been mentioned above like fiber, protein, fat, magnesium, vitamin E and antioxidants are among many nutrients present in almonds. 

Besides helping with blood sugar control and lowering cholesterol, almonds can also improve blood flow. The nuts have many other benefits that could persuade you to start eating them soon.

Food storage is important for your health and budget too and for the best almond storage it is recommended that you store them in a an airtight container and freeze almonds due to their oil content. If they are raw, they could be kept for a year if properly stored but if they are snack almonds, they should be kept for a month.

Keep in mind: storing almonds better will keep almonds good and will act as a healthy diet for you.