A Guide to Nuts and Seeds: How to Choose, Store and Enjoy Them

This guide to nuts and seeds is for anyone who wants to pick the right nut — for everyday snacking, a child’s school snack box, Raya cookies and cakes, or a bowl for guests at an open house. At AlSultanFood, our nuts range covers tree nuts such as cashews, almonds, pistachios, walnuts and macadamias, legumes such as edamame, black soybeans and chickpeas, and seeds such as pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

Each one has its own flavour, texture and best uses. Below we explain how they differ, raw versus roasted, how to choose a size, how to store them so they don’t go soft or rancid, and a few simple ways to enjoy them.

Get to know the nuts

Tree nuts: cashews, almonds, pistachios, walnuts and macadamias

• Cashews — soft, buttery and slightly sweet. Our roasted salted cashews are crunchy and savoury, ideal for snacking and Raya tables.
• Almonds — firm and versatile. Choose roasted USA almonds for snacking, or raw almonds for soaking, almond milk and baking.
• Pistachios — green-gold with a rich nutty taste. Roasted in-shell pistachios make a relaxed snack, while raw pistachio kernels are made for kunafa, cakes and ice cream.
• Walnuts — naturally rich with a tender-crisp bite. Our California walnuts come raw or roasted.
• Macadamias — an exotic, buttery nut. Australian macadamia halves are lovely in cookies or as a special snack.

Legumes: edamame, black soybeans and chickpeas

This group are legumes rather than tree nuts. Roasted green edamame and roasted black soybeans are made from soybeans, and roasted chickpeas are known locally as kacang kuda. All three are crunchy, ready to eat and a source of plant protein. Edamame fans can also pick up the better-value 700g edamame bundle.

Seeds: pumpkin and sunflower

Our pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are sold shelled, so there’s no cracking. They’re small but very handy — sprinkle them over oats, salads and bread, or mix them into cookies and granola.

Raw vs roasted: which should you choose?

This is the question we hear most. The answer depends on how you plan to use them.

• Choose roasted if you want to snack straight away. Roasting makes nuts crunchier and more aromatic, and salted versions add a savoury edge.
• Choose raw if you’ll bake them again in cakes, cookies or bread, or want to soak and blend them (for almond milk, say). Raw nuts taste milder and aren’t salty.
• Want to control the flavour? Buy raw, then toast briefly in the oven or a dry pan until fragrant. Keep an eye on them — nuts burn quickly.

For walnuts and pumpkin seeds, you can pick Raw or Roasted directly on the product page.

How to choose the right size

Most of our nuts come in four jar sizes, for example 150g, 250g, 500g and 1kg (some run from 100g to 800g). A simple rule of thumb:

1. 1Small (100g–250g) — to try something new, for personal snacking or your handbag.
2. 2Medium (400g–500g) — for a small household or a month’s supply.
3. 3Large (700g–1kg) — for big families, office pantries, festive bakers and open houses.

Buying several kinds at once? Use code SULTAN for 5% off with a minimum spend of RM100.

How to store nuts so they stay crunchy

Nuts and seeds contain natural oils. Left exposed to air, heat and light for too long, they can go soft or smell rancid. Follow these tips:

• Close the jar tightly after every use.
• Keep it somewhere cool and dry, away from the stove and direct sunlight.
• For walnuts, macadamias and raw nuts you’ll take a while to finish, use the fridge.
• Use a dry spoon — keep damp hands out of the jar.
• For shelf life, always check the expiry date on the pack.

Ideas for snacks, lunchboxes and cooking

• Homemade trail mix — mix cashews, almonds, pumpkin seeds and dried fruit. See our dried fruit guide for pairing ideas.
• Breakfast toppings — sprinkle walnuts, almonds or sunflower seeds over oats and yoghurt.
• Baking — pistachio kernels and macadamias for cookies, cakes and kunafa.
• Salads and soups — edamame, chickpeas or pumpkin seeds for extra crunch.
• For guests — a nut platter beside the dates during Ramadan and Hari Raya.

Gifts and festive seasons

Nuts are a must-have in many homes for Hari Raya, kenduri and family gatherings. Our clear jars look neat and can go straight onto the table. For corporate gifts or wedding sets, see our gift box and hamper guide too.

A note on allergies

Cashews, almonds, pistachios, walnuts and macadamias are tree nuts, and edamame and black soybeans contain soy. These products are not suitable for anyone with a nut or soy allergy. If you or your guests have food allergies, check the label and ask a healthcare professional before eating.

Common mistakes when buying nuts

• Buying too big a jar of raw nuts you rarely use — buy walnuts and macadamias in sizes you’ll finish, or keep them in the fridge.
• Using salted nuts in desserts — for cakes, kunafa and ice cream, choose unsalted raw nuts.
• Leaving the jar open at a party — pour enough into a bowl and close the jar again.
• Storing them next to the stove — heat and cooking steam make nuts go soft faster.

Why buy nuts from AlSultanFood?

AlSultanFood is a premium imported-food shop run by Easy Global Ventures Sdn. Bhd. in Seri Kembangan, Selangor. Most of our nuts come in clear screw-top jars — you can see what’s inside, and the jar doubles as storage once opened.

• Clear origins: almonds and pistachios from the USA, walnuts from California, macadamias from Australia.
• Raw and roasted options for walnuts and pumpkin seeds.
• A range of sizes, from 100g to try something new up to 1kg for families and events.
• Delivered across Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak.

Want something sweet alongside your nuts? Our Delice chocolate snack guide and Olivko olive oil guide have more ideas for your kitchen and guest table.

Summary: which nut for which job?

• Snacking straight from the jar — roasted cashews, roasted almonds, roasted pistachios, edamame, black soybeans and chickpeas.
• Cakes, cookies and desserts — raw pistachio kernels, raw almonds, raw walnuts and macadamias.
• Breakfast and salads — walnuts, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
• Guests and gifts — in-shell pistachios, cashews and macadamias, paired with dates.

Still unsure? Start with small jars of a few kinds at once. You’ll soon find your family’s favourites and can go bigger on your next order.