Buying, Storing, and Preparing Nuts

You can buy nuts raw, dry- or oil-roasted, and smoked, in the shell or out, whole, in halves, chopped, slivered, sliced, or ground, with skins or without, salted, sugared, or spiced, loose in barrels or packed in cellophane bags, cans, or jars.

Nuts in shells store better than shelled nuts, those in skins better than without, and whole nuts better than sliced or chopped. Nuts in their shells are best stored in a cool, dry place. Because part of every nut is oil or fat, they do turn rancid over time. Most shelled nuts will keep for several months if kept dry and cool, but they will last even longer in the refrigerator and up to a year in the freezer.