A properly dried walnut (in a household or large-scale production) reduces the risk of mold, and all because during drying, excess moisture evaporates from the walnut and it becomes much easier and more reliable to store the walnut.
Let’s find out what are the standards for the humidity of the walnut kernel, and what should be the temperature so that a peeled or unpeeled walnut is stored for a minimum period of 12 months and remains tasty and healthy at the same time.
Walnut moisture standards
Immediately after harvest, the moisture content of the walnut is 40%. This is a very high figure, and in order to extend its shelf life, it is necessary to reduce the moisture level to 7-10%. Then, under the right conditions, the walnut will be stored for a whole year and will not lose its presentation, taste, color and smell. In the event that the percentage of moisture in the kernel exceeds the norm, mold will appear on the walnut, it may turn black and become unusable.
How to measure the moisture content of a walnut? There are special devices – moisture meters. This device usually has a sensitive sensor, so by determining the moisture content of walnuts, you can quickly resort to appropriate measures and avoid damage to the kernels.
According to the regulated and normal standards, the moisture content of a freshly harvested nut is 40%, a nut in a shell is 10%, and a kernel is 7%. By observing these standards and controlling their maintenance within the required limits, the walnut will be stored for the longest possible time.
Temperature and storage conditions of walnuts on an industrial scale
The conditions under which peeled and unpeeled walnuts must be stored are no less stringent than those for maintaining the moisture level of the kernel and inshell walnuts. You can store the walnut in a mesh bag up to 20 kg, and on pallets (with air circulation) on which it was dried, but in this case, the temperature regime will need to be closely monitored, because the room should be warm and air should not nothing to be limited.
Walnuts should be stored in a well-ventilated area, where it is not very stuffy or frosty cold. Ideal temperature conditions – +10°C for storing walnuts for 12 months. You can also keep them in refrigerators at a temperature of 0 ° C, then the shelf life is extended from 2 to 4 years. It is worth remembering that the taste qualities during such storage will change somewhat, so the best, of course, is the temperature regime at which the walnut can be stored for a year and remain just as tasty and healthy.
Peeled walnuts should be stored in dry cardboard boxes, while the kernels themselves should be as dry as possible, otherwise the risk of mold increases. The shelf life of walnut kernels at room temperature is up to 1 month, in a refrigerator – up to six months, with deep freezing – up to a year.
