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Dry fruits and nuts like almonds, cashews, raisins, dates, and more are known as powerhouses of nutrients and are staples in many Indian households. These healthy snacks provide dietary fibre, potassium, and a variety of protective bioactive compounds.
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Dry fruits and nuts are incredibly versatile. They are used in a wide range of culinary applications, from snacks and breakfast additions like morning oatmeal and smoothie bowls to traditional Indian sweets such as laddus, barfis, and halwa. Nuts like almonds and cashews are used to extract plant-based milk used in place of dairy by vegans to make their coffee, desserts, cheese and curd. Nut pastes are used in gravies to give them a creamy and thick texture while improving the flavours as well.
However, storing dry fruits and nuts during the monsoon can be challenging due to the high humidity levels, which can make them mouldy and unpleasant. With proper knowledge, you can easily solve this problem. Here are five tips to store dry fruits and nuts during the monsoon:
5 Tips To Store Dry Fruits And Nuts During Monsoon
Purchase From The Right Source
Ensure you buy high-quality dry fruits and nuts from a trusted source to make sure they are fresh, as the practice of selling fake dry fruit packets in the market might be increasing day by day. Check if they have any signs of moisture before purchasing, and always acquire vacuum-sealed packs if available, as those are less likely to be exposed to humidity.
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Choose The Right Container
Make sure you do not store dry fruits and nuts in plastic containers, as they can allow the environmental air to sleep in. Instead of them using airtight containers like glass or metal containers, they prevent moisture from entering the container.
Roast Before Storage
Dry roast the dry fruits and nuts or sauté them in a frying pan before storage, as doing this can help to reduce their present moisture content and increase their longer shelf life. Nuts like walnuts, pistachios, cashews, almonds, etc. can be dry roasted. Additionally, cool them completely on a rack or in a dry place before shifting them to the airtight container so that the dry fruits and nuts do not spoil due to condensation.
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Store In A Cool And Dry Place
Ensure to keep those storage containers in a cool and dry place, like in a pantry or cupboard. Do not expose them to direct sunlight; if done, they can lose their texture, flavour, and essential nutrients instantly due to heat and oxidation.
Refrigerate Or Freeze
If you live in those areas where there are high humidity levels, you should consider refrigerating or freezing the dry fruits and nuts for long-term storage. On the other hand, ensure the containers are airtight so that dry fruits can prevent the absorption of any odours from the refrigerator and freezer.
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So don’t let monsoon ruin and spoil the dry fruits and nuts; incorporate these five tips for storing dry fruits and nuts during rainy days and enhance your culinary experience by adding them to delightful dishes so that they can produce rich flavours and crunchy texture.
