The shelf life of nuts depends on several factors: storage conditions, whether the package is opened or unopened, and whether they are shelled or unshelled. In general, the following applies:

Not all nuts will stay as fresh as Diamond’s. Due to our state-of-the-art technology and refrigerated storage, Diamond nuts stay fresher longer than those of other brands.

As nuts age, they may become rancid and develop a “paint” smell. The best way to determine freshness is to smell and taste the nuts prior to using.

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Nuts can be stored in the pantry or refrigerator. When storing opened packages of nuts, be sure to use an airtight, odorless container, as nuts can absorb odors of other foods. Nuts stored in the refrigerator will stay fresher longer.

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Toasting nuts adds extra flavor and crispness. For best results, toast in the oven or on the stovetop. Nuts toasted in the microwave do not develop as much flavor or crunch.

Toasting time depends on both the size and variety of the nut.

• Oven Toasting: Spread nuts in a single layer on an ungreased baking pan. Place in 350°F oven and bake 5 to 12 minutes or until nuts are golden brown; stir once or twice until toasty and fragrant. Remove from pan to cool. Nuts will continue to brown slightly after removed from oven.
• Stove-Top Toasting: Place nuts in a heavy skillet over medium heat and stir or toss continuously until nuts turn a golden brown and smell toasty and fragrant, approximately 3 to 8 minutes.
• Microwave Toasting: Spread nuts in a single layer in a glass pie plate. Microwave on HIGH 5 to 6 minutes (check frequently; microwave ovens vary), stirring every 2 minutes. Cool.

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Walnuts are harvested in the fall and the new crop of in-the-shell, or inshell, nuts are found in grocery stores soon after that. Much of the crop is sold during the fall and winter holiday season. However, Diamond shelled products are available in stores year-round.

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Click here to find a list of retail locations in your area that sell Diamond culinary or in-the-shell nuts. If the store in which you shop does not carry Diamond products, ask the store manager to order the product for you.

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Diamond Foods’ main processing facility in Stockton ends up with approximately 100 million pounds of walnut shells each year. None of these shells end up in landfills. All of Diamond’s walnut shells are sold to other industries, which use them in a number of ways: as a binder in sealants and glues, in sandblasting and cleaning, as an ingredient in cosmetics and as a fuel.

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To remove the skins of almonds and Brazil nuts, cover the nuts with cold water, boil, simmer 2 to 3 minutes, drain. Add cold water; drain. Pinch nuts to slip skins off.

For hazelnuts, spread hazelnuts on a non-greased cookie sheet and place in a 275°F oven for 20 to 30 minutes, until skin cracks. Remove from oven and rub in a soft cloth to remove skins.

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You bet. To get a non-broken kernel from Brazil nuts, freeze them 24 hours prior to cracking.

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The code on Diamond, Emerald and Harmony packages can be read as follows. Using 07159D349S as an example, The first two numbers, (07) indicate the year the product was packaged. The next three numbers (159) indicate the numerical day of the year (in this case, the 159th day of the year). The last digits, (D349S) are plant processing codes. Thus, 07159D349S means the product was packaged on June 8, 2007.

Some of our packages may have an older style of date coding. If your package has a code that looks like, DD3169. This code can be read as follows. Using DD3169 as an example, the two alpha letters (DD) are a plant-processing code. The first three numbers (316) indicate the numerical day of the year (in this case, the 316th day of the year). The last number indicates the year. Thus, DD3169 means the product was packaged on November 12, 1999.

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