Content
Walnut is a useful unique product, a storehouse of vitamins, all necessary trace elements for the human body. Therefore, it is desirable to save the harvest as long as possible. There are some nuances to consider when collecting and storing the fruit. Peeled walnuts should be stored using a different technology than green or in shell. The technology includes the presence of a certain illumination, adherence to temperature, humidity, packaging.
When to collect walnuts for storage
The timing of harvesting depends on the degree of ripening. At the end of August, the first fruits are harvested in a green shell. Such a product is kept for two weeks to ripen. Only then it is cleaned, dried and sent for long-term storage.
If the fruits ripen on their own, then they must be collected after cracking the green shell, when the fruit itself falls to the ground or it can be shaken off. Depending on the variety, this happens in September-October.
Signs of maturation and readiness to harvest:
- yellowing of foliage;
- loose outer shell;
- shell cracking.
Preparing walnuts for storage at home
Storing walnuts in the shell and in a peeled state requires preliminary preparation. After harvesting, the fruits must be dried on a flat surface. Otherwise, moisture builds up under the shell.
The crop should be examined, sorted out, all diseased, cracked specimens should be removed. If you hear a dull sound when shaking or the fruit is too light, the inside is dry. Such a product is recyclable and is not suitable for long-term storage and transportation.
For the safety of cleaned specimens, only healthy ones are chosen, without signs of rot and mold. The core should be uniform in color without white spots. Only such fruits, after drying, should fall into the basement or cellar.
The fruit must be free of foreign odor. Signs of mustiness are unacceptable.
How to store walnuts correctly
The storage rules depend on the method. The storage conditions for the peeled and in the shell fruit differ significantly, as well as the shelf life. It is important to harvest correctly in order to preserve it as much as possible. Harvesting is done in dry weather.
How to store inshell walnuts
If all conditions are correctly observed, then 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 unpleasant bitterness. Therefore, the minimum temperature is used for calcining the in-shell nut, and the maximum holding time is 60 minutes.
When choosing a container for storage, you should focus on natural material. The optimal packaging is:
- cardboard box;
- linen bag;
- paper bags;
- wooden barrels and boxes;
- potato bags.
In such a container, it is permissible to store up to 50 kg. The air humidity should not exceed 60% to prevent mold from appearing. The extreme humidity values are 70%; at higher values, not only the nut, but other products begin to grow moldy. The room should be dark, dry, with a temperature not higher than + 5 ° C, so that rancidity does not appear.
How to keep peeled walnuts
To preserve the cleaned copies for a long period, you should first sort them out. Those that are moldy are rejected, cleaned of the remnants of the shell and partitions. Baffles can contribute to bitterness in the product. Also, in the presence of partitions and shells, fungal infection can occur.
In order for the cleaned crop to be stored longer, only whole specimens must be left. 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 roasting in the oven with a frying pan. But a low temperature regime must be observed in any case.
In total, there are 3 methods of storing the product without shell:
- at room temperature at home;
- in the fridge;
- 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 nutrients.
Where to store walnuts
The storage location also depends on the shape. For in-shell kernels, a cellar or basement is perfect. But at the same time, it is important that there is no dampness in the room and even the slightest temperature changes. These factors contribute to the occurrence of fungal diseases and mold. You can save the crop at a certain temperature. For specimens in shell, this temperature is not lower than -3 ° C.
If you store peeled kernels at home in a closet or pantry, then it is recommended to sort them out regularly.
You can store walnuts in the refrigerator, but in this case, you will have to control so that the temperature does not exceed + 10 ° C. The fruits are wrapped in foil or stored in glass, plastic containers. To prevent temperature changes from occurring, you need to store the product on the shelf, and not on the door.
You can store walnuts in an apartment only in a dark place. It is not recommended to use the balcony, as temperatures there may be too low in winter.
How many walnuts are stored
It is better not to store split or whole nuts for too long. But the specific time frame depends on the place:
- at room temperature, peeled kernels lie 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, are used for up to a year.
But, depending on ripeness and condition, walnut kernels have their own wintering nuances.
How many walnuts are stored in the shell
Shelf life in the shell, subject to all conditions, is 2 years. But for this, the harvest must first be sorted out and dried. The product in the shell has the longest shelf life, so it is best suited to protect the entire harvested crop and subsequent distribution.
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, retain useful substances.
How many green walnuts are stored
If green fruits are not peeled, then the shelf life and benefits are sharply reduced. As soon as the peel turns black, it will start to spoil the insides as well.As a result, the gustatory and beneficial properties of the product will be lost. The kernels will be attacked by mold and rot.
Therefore, it is better immediately after harvesting, a maximum of a week later, to remove the peel, dry the fruits and sort. After that, you can leave the kernels in the shell.
Shelf life of shelled walnuts
In this case, it is important which packaging the product is in. If it is not tightly packed, then its shelf life is no more than a month. With high-quality packaging, the kernels can be stored for 9-12 months without loss of taste and useful properties.
In a freezer 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 - kernels are good for only 14 days, regardless of packaging.
Why walnuts are bitter
If fresh kernels are bitter, then the reason is their immaturity. Ripe fruit does not initially contain bitterness and, if all storage conditions are observed, does not begin to taste bitter. The main reasons lie in the oil contained in the kernels. The film can also be bitter. If it is supposed to be stored in a cleaned form, then it is recommended to remove the film.
Kernels burn out quickly, therefore it is important to follow the storage rules. They begin to taste bitter from humidity, cold or heat.
Storing peeled walnuts at home if the temperature and light conditions are not observed will lead to 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 over, but then the product is suitable only for culinary preparations.
If the product is bitter after the washing procedure, it means that it is already unsuitable, such a product should not be eaten.
Conclusion
It is necessary to store peeled walnuts, as in the shell, in the dark at a low temperature, without dampness. Then they will last a long time, and bitterness will not appear in them. The best place for placement is a cellar or basement. You can save the product for a long time at home, if there is a suitable room. It is allowed to put peeled kernels in the refrigerator for a short time, in the freezer, but frequent, sharp temperature drops should not be allowed. It is important to preserve the crop so that the nutrients are preserved as much as possible.
