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The monsoon season tends to make your favourite nuts and dried fruits soft, chewy, or a bit stale rather than crisp. You may have stored them in the same box, only to notice that the texture has changed as the weather turns moist. The culprit is generally the humidity. During the rainy season, moisture in the air increases, and dry fruits can absorb it, particularly when they are exposed to it during cooking, snacking, or refilling containers.
Nuts and dried fruits like raisins, figs and dates can turn much softer because they naturally have oils or sugars that interact with moisture. Frequently opening the jar can make it even worse. A container that is kept near the stove or a sunny window may also experience changes in temperature that promote condensation. But the good part is you do not need to stop storing dry fruits during the rainy season, but follow a few simple storage tips that can keep them fresh, crunchy and ready to use whenever you want.
Store Them In Airtight Containers
The simplest way to rescue dry fruits from monsoon humidity is to store them properly. Transfer them from the opened packets to clean, totally dry airtight glass or food-grade boxes. Avoid leaving them in loosely tucked packets, even if you intend to finish them soon, as even in that much time, they can turn soggy.
Every time moist air enters, the dry fruits get another chance to soak it. If you buy different types, store them separately and not in one jar, mixing everything. This is particularly useful for raisins, dates and figs, which are naturally soft and have more moisture than almonds or walnuts.
(Image credit: Freepik)
Keep The Jars Away From The Stove
Your kitchen may be the most suitable place to keep the dry fruits, but it is not always the most suitable one during the monsoon. Steam from the boiling rice, tea or curries can add moisture to the surrounding air. Keeping the jars beside the stove repeatedly exposes them to warm, humid conditions, which can cause them to become soggy.
Choose a cool, dry cabinet away from the sink, stove or dishwasher. Also, avoid placing the containers directly under the windows where rain splashes or air can penetrate. A little distance from the everyday kitchen chaos can make a discernible difference to the shelf life.
Roast Nuts Before Storing Them
If the almonds, cashews or walnuts already feel a bit less crisp than they should, gentle roasting can help revive some of their texture. Dry roast them lightly in a pan, air fryer, or oven, without adding any oil. Let them cool down thoroughly and then transfer to an airtight jar.
Storing warm nuts is a very common mistake because trapped heat or moisture can cause condensation in the jar it is kept in. Remember that roasting is more suitable for nuts than naturally moist dried fruits like dates or raisins. Never roast anything that already smells awful, tastes unusual or shows signs of mould, as chances are they have gone bad.
(Image credit: Freepik)
Buy Smaller Quantities During Monsoon
Buying dry fruits in bulk can feel like a good decision until half the packet goes unused over several weeks. During the monsoon, consider buying in smaller quantities so that you can finish within a few weeks and then get new ones when needed. This decreases repeated exposure to dampness, and you are also less likely to find a forgotten packet at the back of the pantry while cleaning.
Also, if you use almonds or raisins every morning, keep a small quantity in a jar and leave the rest packed or stored properly in another big jar that is not opened so often. This simple practice also makes it more comfortable to notice differences in smell, colour or texture, and the entire batch is not affected.
Refrigerate When The Weather Is Humid
If you have large quantities of nuts or dried fruits, storing them in the refrigerator can be useful, especially for nuts that have higher oil content, like walnuts and almonds. Place them in properly sealed, moisture-proof boxes. Do not constantly move the same jar between the fridge and a warm kitchen, as temperature fluctuations can cause condensation.
If you take out a large quantity, let it come to room temperature while still sealed before you open the jar. This prevents humid air from settling on the dry fruits. For everyday use, take out only what you require and keep the whole batch protected.
