Chestnuts should stay fresh for months.
Fresh chestnuts can spoil quickly if you do not store them properly. Keep fresh chestnuts as cold as possible in the refrigerator. Adding moisture to the storage bag can help keep chestnuts fresh for a longer period also. Before preparing chestnuts, check the freshness of the chestnuts. With the correct storage environment, chestnuts delicious for an extended period, until you are ready to roast them.
Instructions
1. Grasp a chestnut in your hand and squeeze it firmly. A fresh chestnut should feel exceedingly hard when you squeeze it. If you detect softening, the chestnut may not be entirely fresh.
2. Examine the chestnut for sprouts. With storage at a cold enough temperature, chestnuts should not sprout for several months. At some point, however, fresh chestnuts will sprout in preparation for growing. If you see a sprout less than 2 inches long, roast the chestnut anyway and then trim off the sprout. If the sprout is longer than 2 inches, the chestnut's taste may change enough that you will not want to eat it.
3. Look for mold on the outer surface of a chestnut. As a chestnut ages, it may develop mold, which is usually dark in color. You may be able to cut away a moldy part and use the chestnut, depending upon how much of the chestnut has mold. If the mold is on the outside edges only, the chestnut meat inside probably still tastes fine.
4. Fill a large bowl about 2/3 full with cool water. Place chestnuts into the water to see whether they sink or float. If the chestnuts sink, they are fresh. If the chestnuts float, remove them from the bowl and cut them in half. Discoloration and mold on the inside meat of the chestnut indicates spoilage. The other reason fresh chestnuts may float involves drying. If the chestnuts dry during storage, they will probably not have a tasty texture and flavor. Consider discarding any chestnuts that float.
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