Most
weeks, you make a big grocery list and head to the
store, prepared to buy loads of fresh food to make
your family's meals. We often don't give a thought to
stuff sitting in the kitchen cupboard or
we automatically throw out anything that's been in
there longer than we can remember.
But Janice Revell, co-founder of StillTasty.com, says "Look in your pantry and your cabinets and check whether the items really do need to go. You'll be shocked by what you really don't need to throw away."
So before you throw out that years-old sugar or replace that bottle of vanilla that's been gathering dust, consult this list of "forever foods." You may be surprised how many of your kitchen staples have a shelf life of decades — even after they've been opened.
1. Sugar
Regardless of whether your sugar is white, brown, or
powdered, it will never spoil because it doesn't
support bacterial growth.
The challenge with sugar is to keep it from hardening into chunks. To keep sugar fresh, store it in an airtight container or seal it in a plastic bag. If your brown sugar is more like a brown rock, you can revive it with just a minute in the microwave on low heat.
2. Pure
vanilla extract
If you have pure vanilla extract in the back of the
cupboard, there's no need to throw it out because it
lasts forever. It may be more expensive than its
imitation counterpart, but its shelf life certainly
outweighs the extra cost.
Keep that vanilla flavor at its best by sealing the bottle after each use and storing it in a cool, dark place.
3. Rice
White, wild, jasmine, arborio and basmati rice all
keep forever so there's no need to throw them out.
Brown rice is the one exception because it has a
higher oil content so store it in the refrigerator
or freeze it to maximize its shelf life. Once you've
opened a bag or box of rice, move it to an airtight
container or reusable freezer bag to keep it fresh.
4. Corn
starch
You can thicken gravies and sauces for years with
just one box of corn starch because it keeps
indefinitely. Store this kitchen staple in a cool,
dry area and be sure to reseal it tightly after each
use.
5. Honey
Whether you use it in your tea, on your toast or as
an alternative sweetener, that jar of pure honey is
good forever. It may get grainy or change color, but
it's still safe to eat — and delicious — because its
antibiotic properties keep it from spoiling.
You can help keep it fresh by storing it in a cool area, and you can improve the quality of crystallized honey by placing the jar in warm water and stirring it until the grainy parts dissolve.
6. Salt
The contents of
your salt shaker will never spoil, regardless of
whether it's basic table salt or sea salt. Simply
store it in a cool, dry place and salt will keep
indefinitely.
7. Corn
syrup
If you come across a years-old bottle of corn syrup
in your pantry, don't throw it out. This sweetener
keeps indefinitely as long as you keep it sealed and
store it in a cool, dry area.
8. Maple
syrup
What good are pancakes or waffles without maple
syrup? Luckily, this flavorful syrup will never spoil
if you refrigerate it or freeze it. For long-term
storage, seal it in an airtight plastic container and
freeze it.
"The freezer is such a useful tool that can really save you money because there are very few foods that don't freeze well," says Janice Revell of StillTasty.com.
9.
Distilled white vinegar
This wonder product can be used for everything, from
making marinades and salad dressings to cleaning
house and doing laundry. But the best thing about
distilled white vinegar is that it lasts for years.
Simply close it tightly after each use and store
the bottle in a cool, dark place.
Related Links:
- How to Clean & Prepare Your Fish PDF
- How To Make A Bag Garden PDF Drying Foods PDF
- 60 Uses of Vinegar PDF
- Poultry Q & A PDF
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