How can I preserve chocolate nibs?

[pabrewdude]

Just got an early Christmas gift. An old friend/coworker gave me 8 pounds of chocolate nibs (we worked for a local candy company). Recipes I've looked at use only about 4 oz. for a 5 gal. batch. How can I keep these for an extended time (say 2 years). I know that nibs kept at room temp will go rancid in time. Can they be successfully frozen? I'm thinking maybe I'll vacuum seal them and either freeze or refridgerate. Any comments?

[manwithbeers]

Feel free to send some of them to me and I'll store them in my next beer and a Creme de Cacao.

Vacuum packed they should be shelf stable for at least a year. That's how they are packaged in the stores anyway.

Great Score.

[ajdelange]

I'd vacuum pack them and put them in the freezer. If you could fill the bags with nitrogen or CO2 prior to sealing I'm guessing that would help some too.

[alan_marks]

I'd vacuum pack them and put them in the freezer. If you could fill the bags with nitrogen or CO2 prior to sealing I'm guessing that would help some too.

+1 on sealing and freezing. The thing to make sure of is than the cocoa butter doesn't go rancid. At room temperature, even sealed bags of defatted ( < 1% ) cocoa powder only has a year shelf life. I'd go so far as to portion them, like hops, so you only take out what you need when you need it.

Of course, if you have access to a conching machine you could just make chocolate...