There are tons of nut and seed oils out there! Pressing the oil from nuts and seeds preserves some of the many nutritional benefits while making it more convenient to use for both cooking and beauty.
Hazelnut oil is used for cooking, baking, and beauty (as a moisturizer and carrier oil). It’s best stored in the refrigerator due to its shorter shelf life. If you don’t want to store it in the fridge, make sure hazelnut oil is kept out of high-heat areas and is tightly closed to prevent premature spoilage.
For all of the ins and outs of hazelnut oil storage, keep reading!
What is hazelnut oil?
Hazelnut oil is made by pressing the oil from hazelnuts, typically by cold-pressing or expeller pressing. Hazelnut oil is used in desserts, salad dressings, cooking (it has a high smoke point!), and topically as a carrier oil and moisturizer.
Hazelnut oil is rich in vitamin E and tannins, which are all types of antioxidants. Antioxidants can help reduce inflammation and protect against cell damage, which is why they can be beneficial to consume and apply topically.
What is the best way to store hazelnut oil?
Some nut and seed oils are more delicate and can have shorter shelf lives than some popular vegetable oils like coconut oil and olive oil.
Nut oils can also have more distinct flavors that can be negatively impacted by oxidation, which is why proper storage is so important if you want to maintain the ideal flavor of hazelnut oil.
The best way to store hazelnut oil is:
- In the refrigerator for maximum shelf life. Opened hazelnut oil will last 6-12 months in the fridge compared to 3-6 months at room temperature!
- In a tightly sealed container, preferably made of glass instead of plastic. Many types of hazelnut oil are in clear containers, but opaque is generally preferred to reduce light exposure. (We think it might be sold in clear bottles since it doesn’t have a long shelf life, so it’s not likely to be stored long enough to be damaged by light!)
- In a cool, dark place away from direct sources of heat and sunlight.
- At a consistent temperature range, ideally within 40-85 degrees Fahrenheit if you’re not keeping it in the refrigerator.
Does hazelnut oil need to be refrigerated?
Opened hazelnut oil doesn’t have a long shelf life – only 3-6 months at room temperature. It’s recommended to store it in the refrigerator which can help extend its shelf life by 3-6 more months!
You don’t HAVE to refrigerate hazelnut oil but know that not doing so might mean you have to replace your oil sooner rather than later.
Factors that influence hazelnut oil storage
Temperature
Refrigerating hazelnut oil can help reduce the likelihood that it goes bad over time. Fats are prone to going rancid faster at higher temperatures, which is why it’s so important to store hazelnut oil in cooler temperatures (the fridge!) and not let it get too hot. If the temperature is going to exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s too hot for hazelnut oil!
Method of extraction
Cold-pressed oils can have shorter shelf lives than refined oils. Expeller-pressed oils are sometimes treated with chemical solvents to maximize the oil output, and doing so can increase the stability of the fats (and therefore increase the shelf life).
The shelf life of hazelnut oil will vary a bit depending on the way it was extracted, so keep an eye on the use-by date printed on the bottle!
How to spot spoiled hazelnut oil
You can only do so much to keep hazelnut oil fresh, but it doesn’t have a very long shelf life even if you do everything right!
Be on the lookout for signs of spoiled hazelnut oil such as:
- Having a foul odor: hazelnut oil should have a pleasant, nutty aroma. If it smells anything but pleasant, toss it!
- When in doubt, throw it out if it doesn’t taste good when you give it a taste test.
- Fresh hazelnut oil can range from nearly colorless to light golden brown. Pay attention to the color of the hazelnut oil when you buy it fresh; if it changes significantly, it can be a sign that it’s past its prime.
FAQs:
Most oils do best when stored in cool, dark places such as a kitchen cabinet, pantry, or refrigerator. The best storage methods vary depending on the type of oil and the way it was produced, though.
Oils higher in polyunsaturated fats should generally be refrigerated since they are more likely to go rancid compared to monounsaturated fats. Examples of oils high in polyunsaturated fats include walnut oil, flaxseed oil, and fish oil.
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