Cashews are probably the most delicious of all the nuts available in the market. Cashews can be added to stir fries, gravies and salads to add an edge to the dish. You can also eat cashews as a light snack. Cashews have very low saturated fats and are nutritious. They are available in most markets, usually in sealed and packaged plastic containers. They can be stored in these containers for long periods of time since they are airtight. However, once the containers are unsealed, the cashews can spoil easily if left open. Cashews have high unsaturated fat content, and hence can turn stale when left in contact with air. There are a few things that you can do to ensure lasting freshness of the cashews. Here’re some of them. Read on.
Complexity Level: Basic
Time Required: 15 minutes
Resources Required:
- Cashews
- Bowl
- A pan or a baking tray
- Airtight containers or freezer bags
Instructions:
1. Buying the cashews and the containers
Buy fresh cashews from a reliable market. Check the dates to know when the cashews have been packaged. When buying containers, ensure that they are airtight. Instead of cellophane packets, go for jars or cans that are vacuum-packed.
2. Rinsing and roasting
Put the cashews in a bowl and rinse them thoroughly in hot water and drain. This will remove all the extra oil from cashews and will prevent them from turning rancid. To roast the cashews, place them on a baking tray or a pan and roast on medium to high heat for 5 minutes. You can roast it for a longer period if you want a more intense flavor and texture. For a darker color, you may add oil instead of dry roasting it. However, it is a better option to dry-roast the cashews if you do not want the fat content to increase.
3. Cooling and storing
After roasting, keep the cashews on a cooling rack and allow them to cool down completely. Not cooling down the cashews completely will result in the latter being completely ruined. Taste the cashews to know if they have cooled completely. Store them in the container and mark the container with the date of storage. Refrigerate it or freeze it according to your requirements. You may even keep it in room temperature, in which case you have to keep the container in a dark, dry and cool place.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What do I need to check while buying cashews?
While buying cashews, you need to check the packaging thoroughly. Ensure the cashews are vacuum packed and they do not contain insects. Buy cashews that have been shelled. The shells of the cashews are poisonous and are normally discarded before packaging. Also, make sure that the cashews are freshly packaged before you buy them.
2. How do I store raw cashews?
Use glass jars that are vacuum-packed to store raw cashews. Put the cashews in the jars, seal them tightly and store them in a cool and dark place in the pantry. To store them for long period of time, refrigerate them or freeze them in air-tight bags.
3. How do I store soaked cashews?
To store soaked cashews, first drain the water in which the cashews are soaked. Put them on a baking sheet and place them on the lowest shelf of the oven. You can switch on the oven so that the heat can help the cashews in drying. Leave them for 12 hours. Ensure that the cashews are completely dry before you store them, or else they will spoil easily.
Quick Tips:
1. The fresher cashew you buy, the longer itâll stay.
2. Immediately store the cashews after you open the bag to ensure longevity.
3. Make sure you get air-tight containers to keep the cashews fresh.
4. Store in a dark, cool, dry area for best results. Alternatively, refrigerate or freeze them.
Things To Watch Out For:
1. Make sure there arenât any bad nuts among the cashews. One bad nut can spoil the entire packet. For extra safety, store cashews in several small containers than in one large one.
2. Double check the cashew packets while buying in bulk; make sure the cashews are fresh, and have not been exposed to moisture or damaged by insects.
3. Not using an airtight container will result in the nuts spoiling very easily.
