Spoilage – How Long Do Raw Chestnuts Keep?

spoilage

I bought some chestnuts in the fall for Christmas but haven't used them all yet. How long do they keep? How would I tell if they 'went bad'? They look just like they did when I bought them (no blemishes) but may weigh less (they seem light) and seem harder to the touch (but I may be misremembering).

Best Answer

According to Chestnuts for Sale:

Chestnut storage is not the same as most nuts. Fresh chestnuts should be stored like carrots. Chestnuts are comprised of about 40-50% water and thus if not stored properly, they will spoil. Therefore, chestnuts should be stored with great care and attention. The ideal storage conditions for chestnuts are 33-35 degrees Fahrenheit and 85-90% humidity. We recommend storing chestnuts in covered containers in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Stored properly in the refrigerator, chestnuts can have a shelf life of approximately 2-3 weeks. If you plan to use the chestnuts soon after receiving them, simply place them in a covered container in the coldest part of the refrigerator. The colder, the better.

Otherwise, they recommend freezing them (preferably par-cooked), and provide information at the link above.

Washington Chestnut offers the following information about storing chestnuts, to prevent molding to which they indicate the chestnuts are susceptible due to their high water content:

  1. Do not let fresch chestnuts freeze and thaw (except if you are freezing for a purpose)
  2. Never store chestnuts in a sealed plastic bag (except dried or frozen)
  3. Keep chestnuts refrigerated unless drying or sweetening the chestnuts
  4. If black molds have entered into the chestnut kernel, do not eat the chestnut
  5. Chestnuts can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks
  6. Cooked chestnuts must also be refrigerated if not consumed right away
  7. Never bathe the chestnuts in plain water - this causes mold spores to be transferred to all the chestnuts passing though the bath water - instead, wash in clean running tap water
  8. Try to purchase fresh chestnuts close to the time you want to eat them