Nuts

[madamesilverspurs]

Came across a package of walnut halves in my pantry, it was hiding behind a box of crackers. I remember buying it about a year ago but never opened the package, and the "use by" stamp is blurred. Is it likely that they're still okay to use?

[Emile]

1. Myself I would open them up and bite

into one. If they're stale, you will spit it out.

[RockRaven]

2. As long as they look, smell, and feel normal, you can taste one to find out.

There is a chance that they will taste off/rancid (the fats in nuts can spoil after prolonged storage at warm temps). Then as long as they taste okay, they should be fine to use.

[2naSalit]

3. As long as they...

Aren't dried to nothingness or have become rancid. You can tell if they are rancid, they smell bad and taste even worse. They will look like they've been heated with a darker color if they are bad. If they look and taste okay, they probably are okay.

[MOMFUDSKI]

4. Taste for rancidness.

I keep my baking nuts in the fridge.

[Freddie]

6. I keep mine in the freezer

Nuts can go rancid pretty fast.

[japple]

5. If they have gone a bit rancid, you could put them out for the squirrels--something will eat them.