How To Store Pistachios
Tuesday, February 15th, 2022

Pistachios are packed with nutritional value; tasty to snack on and incorporate into dishes. So, they are worth protecting by storing them correctly. Correct storage makes sure you get the most value for your dollars spent.
KEEPING THINGS COOL
A refrigerator is the best place to store pistachios if you don’t plan to eat them all right away. Package them in an airtight container (Ziplock, Tupperware, jar with tight lid) and they will stay fresh for up to a year. An airtight package helps prevent condensation, which would make them lose their crunch.
PANTRY STORAGE
Stored in a pantry or other cool, dark, dry place, a package of unopened, in-shell pistachios stays fresh for about six months; potentially even a few months longer. If the package was opened, transfer to any airtight container for storage. Pistachio kernels only stay fresh for about 3 months in the pantry, so storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator is preferred. Check an unopened package for a “use by” date to ensure the nuts aren’t already old when you purchase them. This stamped date is a good starting point to gauge how much longer the nuts can be kept at room temperature.
Pistachio nuts (and any other type of nut) are heat sensitive. Prolonged heat begins rancidity in oils. Keep nuts out of direct sunlight and away from the oven, stove top, heater or other sources of heat. When traveling, keep the pistachios in the vehicle with you, rather than in the trunk, cross country in the summer!
FREEZING TIME
A freezer is an even better option for long-term storage. In-shell pistachios stay flavorful for up to two years when properly frozen. Pistachio kernels do not freeze as well, long term, and should be used within one year. Always put the nuts in an airtight container. When ready to use the pistachios, allow the entire package to thaw to room temperature, and then remove what you need from the package before returning the container to the freezer. Unlike many other foods, nuts can be thawed and refrozen multiple times.
After thawing, if you notice the pistachios are not as crunchy as you want, you can toast them on a baking sheet in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes at 200 F.
WHEN TO PITCH
Besides using time as your guideline for determining when to discard, a taste test is the true way to know if the nuts are still edible. The natural oils can go rancid if the nut has been exposed to too much heat during storage. If a taste test determines the nut is off-flavor, throw them away, including the piece you’ve sampled. There is no harm in eating a rancid nut, but there is no need to have a bad taste in your mouth!
THE MORAL OF THE STORY
Eat your pistachios! This wonderful, tasty and so good for you nut, is meant to be enjoyed.