Storage of Chestnuts
Each chestnut order is shipped with storage and roasting instruction to help you enjoy your chestnut purchase. However, we often get questions about storage prior to a purchase so here are answers to the questions we sometimes receive.
Chestnuts are perishable but can usually be stored easily for several months in your home refrigerator.
We keep chestnuts refrigerated at about approximately 30 degrees Fahrenheit (they freeze at 25-26F) in our walk-in cooler as this reduces the risk of mold developing. Our chestnuts are stored in plastic bags which allow some air transfer as chestnuts are a living seed and deplete oxygen as part of the respiration process. While increased CO2 levels in the bags also helps decrease mold risk, oxygen levels below approximately 4% is harmful so it is important to allow some fresh air exchange.
We ship chestnuts in mesh bags and boxes with ventilation holes to help avoid condensation forming during transit which can increase the risk of mold. If chestnuts are going to be stored for future use we suggest that you place the mesh bag into your refrigerator and wait for about a day until condensation evaporates. The chestnuts can then be placed into a plastic bag (i.e., Ziploc), make 4-6 holes in the bag, and then immediately place into the meat drawer of your refrigerator. We've tested a couple of refrigerators and the meat draw was the coldest spot, sometimes reaching below 32 degrees. Using this method, we've been able to store chestnuts for our own needs for 3-6 months. Other areas of your refrigerator will also work but be sure to avoid placing hot food next to your chestnuts.
Before roasting, chestnuts should be "cured" for 2-5 days in an open container at room temperature, depending on chestnut size and room temperature as well as how much curing took place during shipment to you. During this process some additional moisture is lost from the chestnuts and the kernels become sweeter and also shrink slightly which makes the chestnuts easier to peel after being roasted. If you plan to freeze your chestnuts for long-term storage we suggest you cure them first and then roast within a day or two after thawing as freezing chestnuts will kill the chestnut's embryo which leads to faster spoilage after being thawed. For freezer storage, no ventilation holes should be made in the bags and you might want to double the bags to help prevent the chestnuts from drying out.
Fresh chestnuts are only available from our farm for a couple of months each year but you should be able to enjoy them for many months after your purchase. Enjoy!
