You've Been Storing Pistachios All Wrong
It's no secret that pistachios are expensive. In fact, Money Inc ranked pistachios as one of the priciest nuts in the world. So, if you've purchased some pistachios recently, the last thing you want to happen is for them to turn bad — which can actually happen rather quickly. While you might think of nuts as being pretty shelf stable, according to The Spruce Eats, pistachios can go bad in a matter of days.
To prevent this from happening, the publication suggests storing your pistachios in a resealable plastic bag in your pantry only if you plan on eating all of your pistachios in a few days' time (which really isn't that hard, we've all done it). If, though, you need your pistachios to last a bit longer, pop them into an airtight container and store them in either your fridge or freezer. There, they'll last about three months in the fridge or up to a year in the freezer (though if your pistachios are completely shelled, you'll want to avoid the freezer completely as well).
How do I tell if my pistachios are bad and what do I do if they are?
Now you know how to store your pistachios in the future ... but what do you do if you fear you may have been keeping your pistachios in the pantry a little too long? Is there any hope for your current stash? According to The Spruce Eats, yes. You'll be able to tell that your pistachios are at the end of their lifespan if they've gone soft and shriveled. Pistachios will lose their crunch after a while, as well.
If your pistachios are shriveled, moldy, or have attracted some hungry critters, Does It Go Bad recommends throwing them out. Do the same if you give them a taste or smell and they taste bitter and/or smell faintly of paint. But, if your pistachios are merely soft and losing their crunch, you can quickly revive them in the oven. The Spruce Eats says to toast the pistachios in a 200 degrees Fahrenheit oven for 10 to 15 minutes, and you'll be good to enjoy your pistachios just a little bit longer.