Keep your pantry stocked for years with these surprisingly long-lasting foods like honey, vinegar, salt, and dried beans; proper storage ensures freshness and reduces food waste.
Okay, so, you’re probably stocking up your pantry, right? But how do you know what’ll actually last? We’ve all been there, tossing out food that went bad faster than we expected. So, we’re going to explore some foods that laugh in the face of expiration dates (well, almost). We’ll explore some food that lasts for a long time and that you could store in your pantry!
- Foods That Last Over Time
- Honey
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Sugar
- Dried Beans
- Dark Chocolate
- White Rice
- Soy Sauce
- Powdered Milk
Foods That Last Over Time
It’s common to find a lot of food that isn’t good to eat after a certain time. But, there are some that can stay good for many years without spoiling. Here’s a list of some of these long-lasting foods and how to keep them fresh.
1. Honey
Honey has very little water and lots of sugar, meaning it can stay good for a very long time. That combo stops bacteria from growing inside it. This unique quality keeps it usable for ages.
For instance, in 2015, archaeologists found old jars of honey in Egypt. Turns out, they were over 3,000 years old! That proves honey really is one of those foods that’ll stick around.
That said, the most common change honey goes through is turning sugary over time. You can fix it by heating it up a bit though.
2. Vinegar
Vinegar can stay good for a pretty long time. That’s because it has a lot of acid, preventing bacteria from thriving.
Sometimes you might see bits floating in your vinegar after a while, but don’t worry! It doesn’t mean it’s gone bad, just some physical changes that don’t affect it.
3. Salt
Salt is one of those forever foods! If you keep it in a dry place away from humidity, it will last for years.
Now, this applies to regular sodium chloride salt. Iodized salt can go bad after about 5 years, give or take.
4. Sugar
It’s not just sugar that lasts forever. It’s how sugar prevents moisture from getting into food, which helps preserve stuff like jams. Which is why those things last longer because sugar helps keep water out.
Remember that sugar needs to be stored in a tightly sealed container to stay good for years.
5. Dried Beans
Dried beans are great for long-term food storage. They can last for years! Freezing ’em keeps the sugar content high and the water content low, so no bacteria will grow and spoil ’em.
To keep your dried beans good for a long time, store them somewhere cool and dry, and make sure they’re in a sealed container. That way, no moisture gets in.
6. Dark Chocolate
We’re talking about dark chocolate without any milk added. Adding milk to it speeds up the spoiling process.
Good news is, this kind of chocolate can stay good for over two years if you keep it in a cool place.
7. White Rice
The expiration of soy sauce varies based on additions to it like artificial colorings in each brand, but, in general, soy sauce remains viable for extended periods of time with proper care.
Usually, soy sauce is still good to use years after opening, especially if kept in the fridge.
8. Soy Sauce
Contrary to common assumptions that healthy foods are of higher nutritional value, powdered milk stands out as a food that doesn’t spoil easily. Lasting for long periods of time.
9. Powdered Milk
Most people think that sweet milk is always healthier, however, powdered milk is a food that doesn’t spoil easily! Staying viable for an extended amount of time.
That said, it’ll last for years if stored in a cool place.
But what about spices? We’ve noticed a ton of people wondering about how long spices last, even though they’re not on the original list. Well, whole spices generally last longer than ground ones, sometimes up to four years. Ground spices are usually good for about two to three years. Just keep ’em in a cool, dark, and dry place to maximize their shelf life. No one wants bland food, right?
Key takeaways
- Certain foods, like honey, salt, sugar, and white rice, have properties that allow them to last for extremely long periods when stored properly.
- Proper storage is key to maximizing the shelf life of these foods, including keeping them in cool, dry places and sealed containers.
- While some foods may undergo physical changes over time, such as honey crystallizing, these changes don’t necessarily mean the food has spoiled.
FAQ, Myth & Facts
Does honey that crystallizes mean it’s spoiled?
Nope! Crystallization is a natural process where the sugars in honey form crystals. You can simply warm it up gently to dissolve them.
Can I use salt that’s been stored for over 10 years?
Yes, you can! Salt doesn’t spoil, but iodized salt might lose some of its iodine over time. Still perfectly safe to use though.
Is it safe to eat dried beans that are several years old?
Absolutely! They might take a bit longer to cook, but they’re safe. Just make sure to inspect them for any signs of pests or mold before cooking.
Myth: All types of rice last forever.
False. White rice lasts much longer than brown rice because brown rice contains oils that can go rancid over time. Store your rice properly to keep it fresh.
Testimonials
I used to throw away so much food because I was always worried about expiration dates. After learning about these long-lasting foods, I feel much more confident in stocking my pantry. It’s also great to know I’m reducing food waste!
I love cooking, and knowing which ingredients I can buy in bulk without worrying about them spoiling is a game-changer. It saves me so much money and trips to the grocery store!
As someone who lives in an area prone to natural disasters, having a supply of food that I know will last is incredibly reassuring. It gives me peace of mind knowing I’m prepared for anything.
So yeah, knowing what foods last, and how to store them, can really change things up. I remember when I cleaned out my grandma’s pantry, finding stuff that was probably older than me! It’s not just about saving money (though that’s a bonus), but about being prepared, reducing waste, and, um, maybe even finding some vintage snacks? Now, I’m going to go check my own pantry, and maybe stock up on some honey!