How to store macadamias
Best place: the pantry, or the fridge to keep them longer. Macadamias keep for 2 to 4 weeks in the pantry; the fridge stretches that to 12 months, and the freezer to 24 months.
2 to 4 weeks
from the package date
12 months
from the package date
24 months
best quality within
How to tell macadamias have gone bad
General signs for shelf stable foods, the group USDA lists macadamias under.
- Crackers or cereal that have gone soft or stale, not crisp
- Rancid, paint-like smell from nuts, oils or nut butters
- Small insects or webbing inside a box or bag
- Spices that have lost their smell and colour
- Fermented or boozy smell from honey that has picked up moisture
More on shelf stable foods. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
Storage habits that make the difference
Store dry pantry staples in a cool, dry cupboard away from the stove and direct sunlight, ideally in airtight containers once opened. Reseal cracker and cereal bags tightly with a clip or transfer them to a container to keep them crisp. Label opened jars with the date so older ones get used first.
How to store other shelf stable foods
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.