Ginkgo nuts, also known as silver apricot nuts or maidenhair fruit, are the dried, mature seeds of the ginkgo tree . They are edible and have medicinal uses, and are highly nutritious. So, for those who want to stock up on ginkgo nuts, how should they be stored long-term? Details are as follows:
1. Bagged packaging method
Pack the ginkgo nuts into burlap sacks and let them sweat for 7 days before transferring them to plastic bags. Do not seal the bags tightly. Each bag should contain no more than 20 kg of ginkgo nuts. Store at a temperature below 5℃ for up to 6 months.
2. Water Storage Method
Place the ginkgo nuts in a clean water tank (or pool) and soak them. Be sure to change the water frequently; they can be stored for 4-5 months.
3. Sand Storage Method
On the floor of a cool, indoor place, spread a 10cm thick layer of damp sand, pile a 10cm thick layer of ginkgo nuts on top, then spread another 5cm thick layer of damp sand on top, and repeat this process several times, keeping the pile no more than 60cm high. This method allows for storage for 3-5 months.
4. Freezing method
Rinse the ginkgo nuts thoroughly and let them air dry naturally for two to three days. Once dried, gently cut off the outer shell with scissors . Place the shelled ginkgo nuts in a pot and boil over medium heat for 15 minutes. After boiling, the brown skin can be easily removed. Then, use a toothpick to pierce the ginkgo nuts and remove the core. Once processed, they can be packaged into resealable bags and frozen in the refrigerator, where they can be stored for up to a year.
5. Sun-drying method
Ginkgo nuts can also be dried to make ginkgo seed cakes (dried almonds ), which can be stored for up to a year without spoiling. The method involves peeling the outer shell of fresh ginkgo nuts and removing the kernels. Then, soak the kernels in clean water for 1-2 hours. After soaking, drain the water and arrange them evenly on a drying mat or wire rack. Remember to turn them over periodically to ensure each ginkgo nut is thoroughly dried. When the surface of the ginkgo nuts becomes dry, the color gradually lightens, and the kernels harden, the drying process is complete.
6. Vacuum method
Fresh ginkgo nuts can be placed in vacuum bags, the air removed using a vacuum packaging machine , and then sealed. They can be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place for several months or even more than a year.
