Keep nuts, especially Brazil nuts, in the freezer. They will come out of the shell easier and won't break up.

Walnuts which have an "old" taste can be improved in flavour by pouring boiling water over them, then spreading in a shallow pan and heating in the oven. Stir often to prevent burning.

Before chopping nuts in a food processor, dust them with flour. This keeps the nuts from sticking to the processor.

Seeds and nuts, both shelled and unshelled, keep best and longest when stored in the freezer. Nuts in the shell crack more easily when frozen.

Preserve dry fruits and sugar - Put a couple of cloves to the container of the dry fruits & of sugar.

Keep nuts in the freezer to avoid spoilage.

Store raisins in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for much longer. Pour very hot water over them if they had harden, after that drain them immediately, and spread on a paper towel to dry.