Williamson County News Releases
Title: What's Wrong With My Pecans?
Date: October 15, 2001
Author(s): Ron E. Leps, County Extension Agent-AG, Williamson Co.
STORE PECANS PROPERLY
This year's bumper pecan crop will allow the wise shopper to hedge on future availability and prices by refrigerating nuts this winter for future use.
With proper refrigeration, pecans can be stored a long time without becoming discolored, rancid or stale. They must be dried before being stored.
Pecan growers normally air-dry nuts in-the-shell after harvesting. However, pecans harvested in October or during wet weather should be air-dried in a well-ventilated area before storage. This will help prevent molds on the shell surface as well as inside kernels while in storage.
Pecans can be stored as shelled kernels or in-the-shell in several locations, including kitchen cabinets at room temperature, refrigerators or freezers. Each has a different storage life.
PECAN STORAGE LIFE FOR GOOD QUALITY |
||
| Shelled Kernels | In-the-Shell Nuts | |
| Cabinet (70 degrees F) | 3 months | 4 months |
| Refrigerator (50 degrees F) | 6 months | 9-18 months |
| Freezer (0 degrees F) | 2 years | 2 years + |
Storage areas should be clean, dry and free of odors, have some air circulation, and be out of contact with ammonia gas. Unshelled nuts will store for about twice as long as shelled nuts. Although shelled pecans weigh less and take less space than unshelled nuts, they absorb moisture and flavors readily, become "dirty" and stale easier, and consequently require good packaging and more careful handling. Pecan kernels will lose quality in storage; therefore, the lower the storage temperature, the longer their quality is retained.
Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.
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