2 wonderful ways to store fresh and dried pistachios
Fresh pistachios can be stored in two ways. The best way to preserve pistachios is to dry them. Of course, fresh pistachios can also be stored in the freezer, but in high volume, it is economical to dry the pistachios and use dried pistachios. Dried pistachios have a longer shelf life than the freezer method and its storage cost is much lower.
Freeze fresh pistachios or store in the freezer
Different types of fresh pistachios can be poured into a plastic or glass container and placed in the freezer.
Peel a squash, grate it and squeeze the juice. (You can use fresh and soft pistachio skin to make jam. We have explained how to prepare pistachio skin jam here.)
Then pour it into a container and put in the freezer. Be sure to note that if your container is made of plastic, it can be placed at a temperature below zero degrees. This is because some plastic containers crack and break when placed in the freezer.
Another point is that the container should not have any connection with the outside air. That is, it must be completely sealed. Any contact between air and humidity changes the taste of pistachios.
It is recommended to specify the time of placing pistachios in the freezer with a label on the container to know how long it takes to freeze.
For consumption, you can take the pistachio out of the freezer 30 minutes before freezing and then eat it. The taste of fresh pistachios is somewhat preserved in this way.
It is important to note that so far no solution has been provided for keeping pistachios with fresh and soft skin for longer than 20 days.
Drying fresh pistachios
Peel a squash, grate it and squeeze the juice. This should be done no later than 24 hours after picking pistachios because if it is more than that, spots will appear on the skin of pistachios.
Tip: Be sure to wear gloves when taking fresh pistachio skin and never touch your eyes with contaminated hands because pistachio skin and especially pistachio tree sap is very sensitive to the eyes. If you peel pistachios without gloves, be sure to wash your hands with liquid oil and then dishwashing liquid.
Now it’s time to separate the pistachios. At this stage, pour the pistachios into the water. Empty pistachios remain on the water and pistachios with kernels go under water. (Some pistachios that come on the water may have immature kernels. This type of pistachio has a very green kernel because it is still raw and is very suitable for preparing pistachio slices. In this section, we have explained how to prepare pistachio slices for you. )
Then it is time to dry the pistachios. Preferably put the pistachios in the sun so that those who are less smiling will be completely smiling. When drying outdoors, be sure to watch out for birds as they may bite your pistachios. Also, whenever the shade reaches the pistachios, collect them. It usually takes three days for the pistachios to dry completely. The moisture content of fresh pistachios is about 20%. This rate should reach 5%. Can you test the pistachio to see if it is completely dry or not? Dried pistachios are quite crunchy. Dried pistachios are stable and not prone to rot and rot.
Important points in storing raw dried pistachios
Dried pistachios are easier to store than fresh pistachios because they have less moisture. Of course, in order not to re-absorb moisture, you should keep them in a glass or plastic container with strong doors that can not penetrate the air. To keep it for more than a few months, in order not to smell old, you can put pistachios in the mentioned containers in the freezer. This slows down the oxidation process of pistachios and the fresh taste lasts longer.
Note that to store pistachios at temperatures above 40 degrees is recommended to be stored in the refrigerator. Raw and dried pistachios can be stored in the refrigerator for more than a year.
The shelf life of dried pistachios at refrigerator temperature is about one year and at freezer temperature is about 3 years.
Before storing pistachios in the refrigerator, be sure to freeze them in the freezer for two days to remove any small insect eggs.
Be sure to place the pistachios in a sealed glass or plastic container that has nothing to do with the outside.
The container must be dry and clean and not have a specific smell.
Storing pistachios inside the cage is not a good option because it has air and moisture outside.
Do not place pistachios next to foods such as garlic or onions as they absorb odors.
Pistachio kernels can be stored for less time.
