Once they turn rancid they have an ... In-shell or shelled, and from there, you may find them whole, halved, in pieces, or even ground into a nut meal. Regardless of how you opt to take them ...
So, nuts that are still in their shells will last longer than shelled varieties ... When nuts have just started going rancid, the difference is barely noticeable, but if allowed to progress ...
So shelled nuts should be refrigerated in airtight containers ... As ours are still in their shells, we do not need to refrigerate them. Rancid or stale walnuts have an irritating astringent ...