Peanuts are versatile and amazing and can be dry-roasted and honey-roasted sometimes. Have you ever thought about the shelf life of peanuts? Has it ever occurred to you what will happen to peanuts if they remain in the pantry for a long time?
Peanuts are classified into two types when it comes to their durability. In-shelled peanuts and shelled peanuts. In-shell peanuts last for a long time as they are intrinsically protected by the shells in their body.
Temperature is important for peanuts, as any major fluctuations could harm their stay.
In-shell peanuts last 4 to 9 months in the pantry and can extend up to 1 or 2 years in the fridge or freezer. Shelled peanuts last for 4 months in the pantry and extend their stay up to 1 year in the freezer.
In this article, we will elaborate in-depth on the different types and molds of peanuts, alongside explaining their corresponding shelf life. It would be nice information for people who store peanuts for a long time as they can also learn how to preserve them properly.
Do Peanuts Go Bad?
We all know that peanuts are healthy and cannot be afforded to be tossed out when deemed unfit. Storage condition is deemed necessary for peanuts which would invariably prolong their stay even past the best-by date.
They can go bad because of the excessive oil content it has. However, it enjoys a longer shelf life when stored properly. It can be used even months past its date if you don’t see any signs of spoilage.
How Long Do Peanuts Last?
As mentioned above, the temperature is very important in extending the shelf life of peanuts. There is also a difference between in-shelled peanuts and shelled peanuts. In-shelled peanuts last for months together, even at room temperature.
Shelled seeds last about 4 months at room temperature and are commonly refrigerated to increase their shelf life. The below table will explain the shelf life clearly.
| Type Of Peanuts | Pantry | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Shell | 4 to 9 months | 1 year | 2 years |
| Shelled | 2 to 4 months | 12 months | 1 to 2 years |
| Unopened Roasted Package | 10 months | – | – |
| Opened Roasted Package | 2 months | 6 months | 1 year |
| Honey Roasted | 3 months | 6 months | – |
| Unopened Canned Peanuts | 2 years | 4 years | Forever |
| Boiled | 3 days | A week | 2 to 3 months |
When you mold the peanuts into flour or oil, the shelf life also varies accordingly. Unopened peanut flour lasts for a year at room temperature.
Opened peanut flour can only be kept at room temperature for 3 months maximum. It can be refrigerated for 9 months without any problem.
Unopened peanut oil need not be refrigerated or frozen. It keeps for a year at room temperature, whereas opened peanut oil can last at room temperature only for 6 months maximum.
Freezing peanuts is a good option to prolong their stay. They can last for a year or two without any problem, but at some time, they become worse as well.
Boiled peanuts, on the other hand, can be kept only for a week. Extending its shelf life is quite impossible. So emptying it sooner would serve the purpose.
How To Tell If Peanuts Have Gone Bad?
Peanuts can go bad if kept longer. So the main thing to do is check its condition before using it. There are some obvious signs indicating that they have turned bad.
1. Smell
Peanuts are already packed with lots of oil and fat content, which can make them rancid over time. Oxidation occurs as time pass by, and the peanuts tend to smell off in the due curse.
Stale peanuts start emanating a bad smell, and they also start losing their natural aroma. They won’t be rich, nutty, or buttery anymore, with a repulsive sour smell. If this happens, the peanuts are bad enough to be tossed out immediately.
2. Texture
Stale peanuts lose their texture. They are not soft anymore, and they look a little shriveled or broken. They also look very dry to indicate that they are no longer safe to eat.
3. Taste
Peanuts are invariably famous for their flavor and taste. If all the other signs don’t indicate their condition, it is better to pop in some peanuts and taste them. If they have lost their flavor or taste a little sour, it is time for the peanuts to go.
4. Discoloration Or Molds
If there is any shade of layering on the surface of the peanuts with black or grey spots, then the peanuts need to be tossed off immediately.
Molds also indicate that the peanuts have gone bad. The whole package needs to be thrown off in that case. Molds indicate that moisture has invaded the package and are no longer usable.
Storage Of Peanuts
Storage conditions are very important regarding the shelf life of peanuts. They should be stored in a cool, dry place away from moisture or direct sunlight.
1. Kitchen
Shelled peanuts can remain at room temperature for a short time. In-shelled peanuts last longer at room temperature.
You need to be wary of the expiration date and the condition of the kitchen cabinet. Heat or warmth will contaminate the peanuts soon enough to render them useless.
2. Pantry
This is the ideal place to store peanuts. You have to make sure that the pantry is not hot enough and is quite away from access to direct sunlight to the maximum extent possible.
There can also be significant temperature fluctuations to keep it for a longer time.
3. Fridge
Peanuts can be refrigerated for a long time, but you need to ensure no moisture invasion. You have to keep it in an airtight container and make sure that the contents don’t become wet.
Condensation could contaminate the peanuts instantly. So they should be stored in an airtight container.
4. Freezer
The freezer is ideal for storing peanuts, but the moisture problem could be very daunting. To extend its shelf life, it should be frozen in an airtight container or well-sealed freezer bag. The low temperature will keep the package away from insects and bacteria.
Peanut Types And Storage Conditions
There are different types of peanuts and corresponding storage conditions to prolong their shelf life. They just vary according to the type and how you actually store them.
Peanuts Without Shells
These types of peanuts should be stored in an airtight container with a proper seal in the cold and dry pantry.
Peanuts In The Shell
These peanuts are slightly vulnerable to spoilage, and hence they need to be refrigerated to prolong their shelf life for months. Properly packed peanuts of this type can last at room temperature as well. They have to be stored in a cool and dry place as well.
Roasted Peanuts
Roasted peanuts have a longer shelf life. Best-by date is of major concern when it comes to roasted peanuts, and they need to be stored in a sealed container or a bag to retain their quality.
Risk Of Consuming Bad Peanuts
Peanuts are famous for their flavor and taste. Bad peanuts can taste awful by merely defeating the purpose of enjoying them in the first place. They may not cause any lethal effects generally.
Sensitive people can be more vulnerable and have symptoms associated with food poisoning. Otherwise, badly-tasting peanuts are not worth to be consumed as no one can tolerate them.
Can You Freeze Peanuts?
This is definitely an ideal storage condition but not very necessary. Peanuts generally have a longer shelf life, even at room temperature or at the max in the fridge.
If you have a large package to store, storing them in the freezer deems necessary. Peanuts are rich in oil content, so they cannot be entirely well frozen as well.
In-shelled peanuts do not keep well in the freezer. They should be preserved in the shell while freezing it as they will act as a shield from the inner moisture.
You have to ensure that you freeze the peanuts in an airtight container or a well-sealed plastic bag. Roasted peanuts can last a lifetime in the freezer, while boiled peanuts can last for just 2 or 3 weeks.
Bottled or canned peanuts need not be necessarily frozen as they keep well in the fridge or pantry for a long time. Freezing might be a good option if you want to store them indefinitely.
Conclusion
Storing peanuts is a delicate process and involves a little bit of analysis with respect to the types you possess. However, most peanuts have a longer shelf life and don’t spoil easily.
All you need to do is just preserve it in an airtight container or well-sealed bag, and then your job is done. This article would be a clear elaboration on the types of peanuts and storage conditions that correspond to each of the types.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long do peanuts last?
In-shell peanuts last 4 to 9 months in the pantry and can extend up to 1 or 2 years in the fridge or freezer. Shelled peanuts last for 4 months in the pantry and extend their stay up to 1 year in the freezer.
Do peanuts go bad?
They can go bad because of the excessive oil content it has. However, it enjoys a longer shelf life when stored properly. It can be used even months past its date if you don’t see any signs of spoilage.
How to tell if peanuts have gone bad?
You can identify the bad peanuts with smell, texture, and taste. If there is any shade of layering on the surface of the peanuts with black or grey spots, then the peanuts need to be tossed off immediately.
How do you store the peanuts in the kitchen?
Shelled peanuts can remain at room temperature for a short time. In-shelled peanuts last longer at room temperature. You need to be wary of the expiration date and the condition of the kitchen cabinet. Heat or warmth will contaminate the peanuts soon enough to render them useless.
Can you freeze peanuts?
This is definitely an ideal storage condition but not very necessary. Peanuts generally have a longer shelf life, even at room temperature or at the max in the fridge. You have to ensure that you freeze the peanuts in an airtight container or a well-sealed plastic bag. Roasted peanuts can last a lifetime in the freezer, while boiled peanuts can last for just 2 or 3 weeks.
