Stock Up: 10+ Foods That Last Decades

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I’ve been going through the pantry and noticed that many of the foods were expired.

I guess I thought that food lasted a lot longer than it does. It was kind of a shock.

My grandmother would have told me that the food was safe but that’s the old school way of thinking.

DRIED SPICES:

I remember checking my grandmother’s pantry and seeing spices dated from the late 1990’s. We would always joke with her and she would always say spices last forever.

Many common spices and herbs, such as cloves, turmeric, rosemary, sage, and cinnamon, have demonstrated potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (2Trusted Source).

What’s more, early evidence suggests that frequently eating foods with spices and herbs may reduce your risk of complications associated with heart and respiratory diseases (2Trusted Source)

PASTA:

Along with some jars of sauce, pasta is a must have for any pantry.

According to Pure Wow:

Most pasta won’t come with a hard-and-fast expiration date, but you can follow these general guidelines: Dry pasta: Dry pasta won’t ever really expire, but it will lose quality over time. Unopened dry pasta is good in the pantry for two years from the time of purchase, while opened dry pasta is good for about one year

RAW HONEY:

According to the USDA, honey can last for up to 1 year. So there is conflicting information on this…

For best quality, store honey for up to 12 months. After that time, it remains safe but the quality may not be as good. Honey can become cloudy, crystallized or solidified but this is not a safety concern. The honey can be microwaved or heated in a pan of hot water to clarify or melt it.

OATS:

There is nothing better than homemade oatmeal cookies. Or a big bowl of old-fashioned oatmeal. Oats are also very versatile and can be used in many dishes.

Similarly to dried rice or pasta, commercially processed and uncooked rolled, quick, or steel cut oats will typically last at least 12 months — and up to 2 years if the package remains unopened or the oats are stored in an air-tight container (2).

MAPLE SYRUP:

According to the USDA:

After opening, genuine maple syrup should be stored in the refrigerator and will last about a year. Opened jugs of imitation maple syrup can be stored in the pantry for about a year.

DRIED BEANS:

When it comes to stocking up, beans are high on the list to have in the pantry.

This information matched up:

Beans in normal polyethylene (food-grade) bags have a shelf life of 1 year or more. Like most stored foods, colder storage temperatures will increase shelf life. When packaged in #10 cans or Mylar-type bags, with the oxygen removed, they have a shelf life of 10 or more years

PEANUT BUTTER:

This is another must have for the pantry. According to the Food Network:

According to the National Peanut Board, unopened, commercially processed peanut butter lasts for up to 9 months in the pantry, while opened conventional peanut butter lasts up to 3 months in the pantry and up to 9 months in the refrigerator

OLIVE OIL:

This is another pantry staple that some swear lasts longer than a few years. But the truth is:

Depending on what kind of oil you have and how you store it, olive oil can last anywhere between 12 and 24 months in an unopened bottle. Most extra virgin olive oil lasts between 18 and 24 months because of the higher acid content.

WHITE RICE:

During the height of the pandemic, white rice was one of the big sellers at Costco. It is very versatile and keeps well. Here’s how long it lasts:

Dry white rice may last for up to 2 years if kept at room temperature, while brown rice only lasts about 6 months. Refrigerating and freezing them increases their shelf lives. Cooked rice must be refrigerated, and it keeps for about 4 days. It may also be frozen for longer

COFFEE:

If you are a coffee drinker, this is another good one to keep on hand. According to StreetSmart Kitchen:

When Unopened or Sealed. Ground coffee lasts for 3–5 months when kept in a pantry at room temperature, but it can last 1–2 years in the freezer. Whole-bean coffee lasts for 6–9 months in the pantry and up to 2–3 years in the freezer. Instant coffee lasts for 2–20 years in the pantry, depending on the packaging.

FLOUR:

Another important pantry staple, does it really last 10 years in the pantry?

According to Eating Well:

If wrapped and stored properly, refined flours will keep for six to eight months at room temperature, up to one year in the fridge and up to two years in the freezer. Whole-wheat flours will keep for three months at room temperature and up to a year in the fridge or freezer.

MORE LONG-LASTING FOODS:

  • vinegar

  • salt

  • baking soda

  • sugar

  • frozen foods

  • canned foods

  • powdered milk

  • beef jerky

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