Do Cashews Go Bad？How Long Does It Last?

Nuts are not only a tasty treat, but they are filled with antioxidants and nutrients that make them the perfect healthy snack. Cashews are one of the most popular nuts because they are flavorful and crunchy.

People enjoy them as they are, in cereal, in a salad, as part of a trail mix, or in desserts. People who eat a lot of cashews might wonder whether cashews go bad.

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Do Cashews Go Bad?

Like all nuts, cashews don’t have an infinitive shelf life. Fresh cashews are full of a beautiful aroma, a creamy and pleasant taste, and they have a fantastic crunch factor. That is why they are an excellent addition to many meals and bakes.

However, these gorgeous elements that we love so much about cashews change as the nuts become older. Cashews lose their excellent taste, their distinctive aroma, and they become quite soft and brittle. The good news is that you can quickly get a longer shelf life out of your cashews if you store them correctly.

Unfortunately, as with most food products, the quality starts to decrease the minute you open the packaging, and cashews are no exception. Therefore, if you enjoy the occasional munch on cashew nuts but don’t consume a large amount, you might benefit from buying smaller packages of cashews instead of buying in bulk.

How Long Do Cashews Last?

Nothing is as disappointing as making a delicious salad, and as you take the first bite, you taste something rancid. Then you realize your cashews have gone bad, and you feel like throwing your whole salad away. To avoid this disappointment, it is beneficial to know how long cashews last.

When it comes to unopened, packaged cashews, they usually have a best-by date on the packaging. These dates are mostly accurate, and if you store your cashews correctly, you can not only enjoy these nuts up to that date but probably for a month after. Therefore if you have bought a bag of cashews, don’t open them until you are ready to eat them.

Once you have opened the package, you need to consume them within two weeks if you keep them in the pantry or within a month if you keep them in the fridge. You can make them last longer by storing them in the freezer. Your cashews will last up to twelve months in the freezer.

If you bought raw cashews, they would last about a month in your pantry or up to six months in your fridge.

How Long do Cashews Last?
	In the pantry	In the fridge	In the Freezer
Raw cashews	4 weeks	6 months	24 months
Opened cashews	2 weeks	4 weeks	6 months
Unopened cashews	Up to best by date	Up to best by date plus 4 weeks	Up to best by date plus 12 months

4 Tips to Tell if Your Cashews have Gone Bad

Cashews are packed with health benefits which is an even bigger motivation to snack on these delightful nuts.

However, if you like to include cashews in meals, it is most definitely essential that you know how to tell if your cashews have gone bad. By knowing that your cashews have gone past their best, you can avoid adding them into your dishes, resulting in frustration later.

Look at the cashews

Before you eat your cashews, look at the nuts closely. If they have become misshapen, don’t eat them. In addition, if your cashews have changed color or show signs of mold, you should not eat them.

Finally, if your cashews have started to shrivel up and become very dark in color, they are long past their best and no longer suitable for consumption. Cashews that show signs of organic growth, mold, or unusual spotting should never be eaten.

Smell your cashews

Cashews have a delightful aroma. However, your cashews can lose that fantastic smell after some time. Once your cashews start to smell unpleasant, though, they are no longer acceptable for consumption. Likewise, cashews with a rotten or bad smell have passed their best, and you shouldn’t eat them.

Touch your cashews

Fresh cashews are crunchy and quite hard to the touch. If you are cutting up your cashews and you feel the knife just gliding through or the nut just flaking softly, the cashews have become bad. In addition, if the nuts feel sweaty or oily, they are not suitable for consumption.

Taste your cashews

Cashews have that excellent buttery taste that most of us just love. However, if you eat your cashews and taste dull or unpleasant, they aren’t fresh anymore.

3 Tips To Store Cashews

If your cashews are stored correctly, you will enjoy a much longer shelf life of these great nuts. That’s why it is a significant advantage to know how to keep these nuts properly.

Keep in mind that when it comes to storing nuts, you need to keep moisture out because moisture dramatically shortens your nuts’ shelf life. Whether you choose your pantry, fridge, or freezer, you need to use a container or ziplock bag that will prevent any moisture from penetrating your cashews.

Storing cashews in your pantry

Keeping cashews in your pantry will result in a shorter shelf life than in the fridge, but it is a good option if you go through your cashews quickly. It would be best if you kept your cashews in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

As mentioned previously, nuts don’t do well with moisture, so make sure you keep your container well-sealed between uses. You must keep your cashews away from direct sunlight or heat elements.

Never place them near a window or close to your oven. It isn’t necessary to keep your cashews in a dark place. You can keep them on a shelf in your kitchen or pantry where they are easily accessible.

Just make sure they aren’t in contact with heat or direct sunlight. People love the look of nuts, so mason jars are a great way to display your nut collection. If you see any signs of contamination or organic growth in the jars, it is time to throw your nuts out.

Storing cashews in your fridge

Once you have opened your cashews, their quality starts to decline. However, you can slow this process by placing your cashews in the fridge.

Cashews in the refrigerator can easily last up to a month if kept in an airtight container. However, if you spot any mold or organic growth in the container, it is time to throw out your cashews.

Storing your cashews in the freezer

A freezer is a good option if you want to get a longer shelf life out of your cashews. Freezing your cashews lessens the odds of mold contamination, and it will prolong your nuts’ freshness.

You can freeze opened and unopened packages. If the nuts are unopened, you can place them in the freezer as they are. However, if you have already opened the bag, place them in an airtight container instead.

If you prefer buying your cashews in bulk, it is recommended that you remove enough cashews to enjoy for the next week or two and then place the rest in the freezer until needed. By doing this, you don’t risk the whole package of cashews going bad.

The Risk of Consuming Expired Cashews

If your cashews have gone bad and you accidentally took a bite or two, don’t worry; you are going to be okay. Consuming small amounts of cashews that have gone bad isn’t harmful or won’t make you sick.

However, if you know that your cashews aren’t fresh anymore, it is best not to eat them anymore. Although eating rancid cashews isn’t life-threatening, it can lead to constipation or digestive discomfort. Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of the fact that cashews should be consumed in moderation.

The reason for this is that these great nuts contain a toxin called urushiol. It is a toxin that isn’t harmful in small amounts, but if you overindulge in cashews regularly, you might break out in hives.

In addition, overconsumption of urushiol can lead to skin rashes, intense skin burning, and swelling around the jaw. So enjoy your fresh cashews in moderation, and if you feel uncomfortable after eating them, instead choose not to have them again.

Can You Freeze Cashews?

Yes, you can freeze your cashews, and you’ll be delighted to hear that they freeze exceptionally well. You can extend the freshness and quality of your cashews by popping them into the freezer instead of your pantry or fridge.

Frozen cashews keep their wonderful crunch and buttery taste. However, it would be best if you stored them correctly in the freezer. Cashews usually come in well-designed packaging that does an excellent job of keeping moisture out, so if your nuts are still in their original sealed packaging, freeze them as is.

However, if the packaging has been damaged, place the cashews in an airtight container. You can use a ziplock bag, too. Freeze your cashew nuts for up to a year before use.

Summary

Cashews are a delight enjoyed just as they are, or they can add a special touch to meals such as curries, salads, desserts, and home bakes. Enjoy these nuts fresh by storing them correctly and keeping an eye to see if your cashews have gone bad.

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