There are some foods that you can store for a very long time. If you know which foods have a long lifetime, and how to store them, is a great achievement. Utilizing a multi-barrier system is the best manner of storing food.
The system will protect your food from sunlight, moisture, and insects. These three categories of foods that you can store for different periods of time:
Foods that may last even for centuries
- Honey
- Salt
- Sugar
- White Rice
- Whole wheat grains
- Dried corn
- Baking soda
- Instant coffee, cocoa, tea
- Powdered milk
- Bouillon products
Foods that may last for decades
Up to 30 years:
- Dried beans
- Rolled oats
- Pasta products
- Potato flakes
- Dehydrated fruit slices
Up to 20 years:
- Dehydrated carrots
Foods that may last for half a year to one year (or more)
Grocery store foods are on this list, and it is important for you to pay attention to the expiration date. You may eat them even after the expiration date, but their nutritional value may be gone.
However, in order to keep your grocery foods for a longer time, you have to store them properly.
You should pay attention to:
Processing which involves dehydration, freezing, pasteurization, heating, curing, and pickling. Even though these techniques prolong the life of foods, every food has its own expiration date.
Packaging is very important. You should use metal and hermetically close it. Also, for storing sugar, salt, rice flour, you should use plastic buckets of 5 gallons. Make sure to seal the buckets properly.
Storage is crucial for keeping your foods. It is better to keep the foods in colder temperatures, but pay attention not to freeze them. Also, it is important to have a dry environment to avoid oxidation and sprouting due to moisture. One the more important thing is to place your jar of glass in a dark place to prevent sunlight raising the temperature.
Rotation means eating the stored foods that have been stored for the longest period of time.
Learn More About Foods that Can Be Stored for Years
Honey
3,000 years ago, in an Egyptian tomb was found honey that was still good for consuming. Due to temperature or sunlight, the color of honey may change. If the honey gets crystals, you can heat it and use it again. The microorganisms do not like honey because it has a low content of water.
Salt
Even though salt absorbs water (moisture) it has a long life.
Sugar
Sugar, just like salt, absorbs moisture, but you can fix this problem by adding rice to the container.
Wheat
This plays a great role in the diet of people worldwide. It is rich in carbs, proteins, minerals, and vitamins. When it is combined with amino acids like lysine, becomes a powerful source of protein.
Dried corn
Our ancestors decided to dry the corn in order to prolong its lifetime. Dry corn can be a substitution for fresh corn in any recipe.
Baking soda
This is a must-have on your list for a long term because it may be used for many purposes from cleaning to baking.
Coffee, tea, cocoa
Coffee has a long lifetime if it’s kept away from moisture. The tea and cocoa can be saved for a long time if you put them in packets that absorb oxygen, also by repacking vacuum sealing.
White rice
Rice is rich in calories, it is cheap and can stay for a long time. Nonetheless, you need to make sure to store it properly.
Powdered milk
Place in the fridge or repack it for a long-term store. You should get rid of powdered milk if you notice it changes its color to yellow or gives off a bad smell.
Bouillon products
Due to the salt which is contained in the bouillon products, they last longer. The best way to keep them is by repacking and sealing them.
Soft drinks that are non-carbonated
They stay for a long time because they do not contain sugar which may change the taste. Non-carbonated drinks are juices, bottled water, vitamin water, Gatorade.
Soy sauce
This sauce may last up to 3 years. Since it contains salt and is fermented, when it is still not opened, it can last for a long time. Also, its lifetime depends on the soy sauce, the temperature in which it is stored, and if it is opened or closed.
Vinegar
Some of you may say that this already spoiled wine. However, since it is fermented by using acetobacter bacteria, there are other bacteria that are fighting to grow in it. White vinegar may stay unchanged, but other vinegar may change the color or create a sediment. Anyway, the safety stays unaffected, only the look and taste may change.
Sources: Ready Nutrition, Off The Greed News, Edition
