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Walnut is a healthy unique product, a storehouse of vitamins and all the necessary microelements for the human body. Therefore, it is advisable to preserve the harvest for as long as possible. There are some nuances that should be taken into account when collecting and storing fruits. Shelled walnuts should be stored using a different technology than green walnuts or in shells. The technology includes the presence of a certain illumination, compliance with temperature conditions, humidity, and packaging.
When to collect walnuts for storage
The timing of harvest depends on the degree of ripening. At the end of August, the first green-shelled fruits are harvested. This product is kept for two weeks to ripen. Only then is it cleaned, dried and sent for long-term storage.
If the fruits ripen on their own, then they must be collected after the green shell cracks, when the fruit itself falls to the ground or can be shaken off.Depending on the variety, this occurs in September-October.
Signs of ripening and readiness for harvest:
- yellowing of foliage;
- loose outer shell;
- shell cracking.
Preparing walnuts for storage at home
Storing walnuts in shell and in a shelled state requires preliminary preparation. After harvesting, the fruits must be dried on a flat surface. Otherwise, moisture will form under the shell.
The harvest should be inspected, sorted, and all diseased and cracked specimens removed. If you hear a dull sound when shaking or the fruit is too light, the inside is dry. This product must be disposed of and is not suitable for long-term storage and transportation.
To preserve the cleaned specimens, only healthy ones are selected, without signs of rot or mold. The core should have a uniform color without white spots. Only such fruits should go into the basement or cellar after drying.
The fruit must be free of foreign odor. Signs of mustiness are unacceptable.
How to properly store walnuts
Storage rules depend on the method. The storage conditions for peeled and in-shell fruits are significantly different, as are the shelf life. It is important to harvest the crop correctly in order to preserve it as much as possible. Collection is carried out in dry weather.
How to store walnuts in shell
If all conditions are followed correctly, the shelf life of the crop in the shell without bitterness is 2 years.To prevent larvae and harmful insects from appearing under the shell, it is recommended to bake the product in the oven. But this must be done very carefully so as not to provoke the release of aromatic oils. They will add an unpleasant bitterness. Therefore, to calcinate the nut in the shell, the minimum temperature is used, and the maximum holding time is 60 minutes.
When choosing storage containers, you should focus on natural materials. The optimal containers are:
- cardboard box;
- canvas bag;
- paper bags;
- wooden barrels and boxes;
- potato bags.
It is permissible to store up to 50 kg in such a container. Air humidity should not exceed 60% to prevent mold from appearing. Extreme humidity levels are 70%; at higher values, not only nuts, but other products begin to mold. The room should be dark, dry, with a temperature no higher than + 5 ° C to prevent rancidity.
How to preserve shelled walnuts
To preserve cleaned specimens for a long period, you should first sort them out. Those with mold are rejected and cleaned of any remaining shells and partitions. Partitions can contribute to the appearance of bitterness in the product. Also, in the presence of partitions and shells, fungal infection can occur.
In order for the peeled crop to be stored longer, it is necessary to leave only whole specimens. Broken ones are susceptible to infection with various diseases, which reduce the safety of the product several times.
Before storage, the sorted product should be washed under running cold water. Then bake in the oven at low temperature. Only completely dry kernels should be stored for long-term storage.You can replace baking in the oven with processing in a frying pan. But a low temperature regime must be observed in any case.
There are 3 methods for storing unshelled products:
- at room temperature at home;
- in a refrigerator;
- in the freezer.
But experts recommend leaving the nuts in the shell for long-term storage. This increases the shelf life, less chance of becoming bitter and more opportunity to get all the beneficial substances.
Where to store walnuts
Storage location also depends on the shape. A cellar or basement is perfect for shelled kernels. But at the same time, it is important that there is no dampness or even the slightest temperature changes in the room. These factors contribute to the occurrence of fungal diseases and mold. The harvest can be stored at a certain temperature. For specimens in the shell, this temperature is not lower than - 3 ° C.
If you store peeled kernels at home in a closet or pantry, it is recommended to sort them out regularly.
You can store walnuts in the refrigerator, but in this case you will have to control that the temperature does not exceed + 10 °C. The fruits are wrapped in foil or stored in glass or plastic containers. To avoid temperature changes, you need to store the product on a shelf and not on the door.
You can store walnuts in your apartment only in a dark place. It is not recommended to use a balcony, as temperatures there may be too low in winter.
How long do walnuts last?
It is better not to store chopped or whole nuts for too long. But the exact timing depends on the location:
- At room temperature, peeled kernels remain for no more than 2 weeks;
- in the refrigerator, the shelf life is up to six months if there are no temperature changes;
- Frozen kernels, if not defrosted, can be used for up to a year.
But, depending on ripeness and condition, walnut kernels have their own wintering nuances.
How long do walnuts in the shell last?
The shelf life in the shell, subject to all conditions, is 2 years. But for this, the crop must first be sorted and dried. The product in shell has the longest shelf life, so it is best suited for protecting the entire harvest and subsequent sale.
If the cellar is dry and the optimal temperature is maintained, then the shelf life increases, even after 3 years, the kernels have an excellent taste and retain nutrients.
How long do green walnuts last?
If green fruits are not peeled, their shelf life and benefits are sharply reduced. As soon as the peel turns black, it will begin to spoil the insides. As a result, the taste and beneficial properties of the product will be lost. The kernels will be affected by mold and rot.
Therefore, it is better immediately after harvesting, a maximum of a week, to remove the peel, dry the fruits and sort them. After this, you can leave the kernels in the shell.
Shelf life of shelled walnuts
In this case, it is important what packaging the product is in. If it is not sealed, its shelf life is no more than a month. With high-quality packaging, kernels can be stored for 9-12 months without loss of taste and beneficial properties.
In the freezer, wrapped in foil, the kernels will last a year if you do not defrost them.
Just in the refrigerator the period is reduced to six months.Even less at room temperature - the kernels are good for only 14 days, regardless of packaging.
Why are walnuts bitter?
If fresh kernels are bitter, the reason is their immaturity. The ripe fruit initially does not contain bitterness and, if all storage conditions are met, does not begin to taste bitter. The main reasons lie in the oil contained in the kernels. The film may also taste bitter. If it is intended to be stored in a cleaned form, it is recommended to remove the film.
The kernels burn out quickly, so it is important to follow storage rules. They begin to become bitter due to humidity, cold or heat.
Storing peeled walnuts at home if the temperature and light conditions are not observed will lead to the appearance of bitterness and mold if the humidity is 70%.
How to remove bitterness from walnuts
There are several ways to remove bitterness:
- pour ice water for 12 hours;
- pour boiling water, but then the product is only suitable for culinary preparations.
If a product tastes bitter after washing, it means it is no longer suitable and should not be eaten.
Conclusion
It is necessary to store shelled walnuts, as in shells, in the dark at a low temperature, without dampness. Then they will last a long time, and no bitterness will appear in them. The optimal place for placement is a cellar or basement. You can preserve the product for a long time at home if you have a suitable room. It is allowed to place the peeled kernels in the refrigerator or freezer for a short period of time, but frequent, sudden temperature changes should not be allowed. It is important to protect the crop so that the nutrients are preserved as much as possible.
