Do toasted nuts quickly lose flavor?
There are many recipes where freshly toasted nuts are called for, and that got me wondering--how far can I toast them in advance without sacrificing flavor?
If not, how quickly do they lose flavor, and what causes the degradation? Are there any ways to store the nuts to preserve the flavor of freshly toasted? Would freezing and/or vacuum sealing do the trick?
Best Answer
Toasted nuts keep their flavor pretty well, the way to keep them is the same way you'd buy them at the store, ie a sealed container.
What you get from freshly toasting nuts is more aromatics than flavors. Most of the aromatics go pretty quick so there's no preserving them, it's use 'em or lose 'em. Could you substitute pre-toasted nuts? Sure, it won't be quite the same, but it will be close.
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Can you toast nuts ahead of time?
You can toast nuts in advance. If I'm going to open a one-pound bag of nuts but only need half, I often just toast the whole of it and keep the rest in an airtight container until I use them again \u2014 or for snacks. The flavor and texture keeps if they were fully cool before you stored them.How long do toasted nuts stay fresh?
As with all toasted nuts, they can be safely stored in an airtight container for up to one week. I line the storage container with a clean piece of unbleached muslin or a paper towel just to make sure the container stays really dry. Plus, it soaks up any extra oil that might otherwise make the nuts taste rancid.Does roasting nuts bring out flavor?
Toasting or lightly roasting nuts removes all the raw green, slightly astringent flavors that you taste when they are uncooked. This is especially true with walnuts. Almonds, hazelnuts and pecans are crisp and lightly caramelized, and you can't stop eating them when they are roasted \u2014 likewise peanuts.Is it better to toast nuts?
Toasting the nuts imparts a richer flavor, and you can use toasted nuts in any recipe that calls for nuts. I prefer to use whole nuts for roasting, just because they roast more evenly since they're they're roughly the same size.Roasted Nuts to Steer Clear of- Important Science
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