There’s nothing worse than opening a container of pecans you stored months earlier to find them rotten or rancid. If you picked all those pecans, all of your hard work would seem pointless. Fortunately, there are a few principles to storing pecans that will ensure your hard work or money spent was not wasted.
Do Not Store in Moist Places
Regardless if the pecans are shelled or unshelled, storing them in a moist room will promote mold growth and may cause the pecans to decrease in quality. Make sure the pecans have an opportunity to dry out after the harvest to remove moisture. Do this by placing the pecans on a screen or hanging them in small ventilated bags for approximately two weeks. Also, keep the pecans in dry, dark places.
Store in Vacuum-Sealed Containers/Bags
Always store pecans in airtight containers or bags. If you do not have a vacuum-sealer, Ziploc bags work perfectly fine. Make sure all air is removed from the bag and that it is completely sealed so moisture does not form. The method of storage does not matter nearly as much as ensuring they are properly sealed.
Do Not Store Next to Smelly Foods
Pecans will definitely take on the smells of other foods if stored in close proximity. For example, do not place pecans next to onions. Otherwise, you will surprise your taste buds with onion-infused pecans.
Shelled or Unshelled?
This is a personal preference, however, it may be important to note unshelled pecans have a longer average shelf life. Unshelled pecans still retain the shell, and this allows for more protection from moisture and rancidity.
No one wants their nutritious pecans to lose taste and texture. So, take a moment to store them correctly, and you won’t worry about ruining them.
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