Photo: Jhoon

What food never expires?

13 Foods That Will Never Expire Honey. Honey may crystallize over time, but it won't actually expire or become unusable. ... Sugar. Both white and brown sugar can be used indefinitely if they are stored in an airtight container away from light and heat. ... White Rice. ... Salt. ... Cornstarch. ... Vinegar. ... Pure Vanilla Extract. ... Maple Syrup. More items...

onegoodthingbyjillee.com - 13 Surprising Foods That Will Never Expire - One Good Thing by Jillee

What happens when you mix bleach with vinegar?

Mixing bleach and vinegar creates potentially lethal chlorine gas. If you notice a pungent smell after mixing household cleaners, you should...

Last updated Sep 10, 2018

What are the 3 things people need in life?

The Three Things We All Need for a Happy Life Someone to love. Something to do. Something to look forward to.

Last updated Jul 13, 2019

Promotion

As long as you store them properly, you won't have to worry about using these foods up before they expire. Most food products are stamped with a “best-by” date, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they expire after that date! Some foods will stay good indefinitely when properly stored. (That’s right—even if they come with a date!) These 13 everyday items will last for years—sometimes decades—even after they’ve been opened. Keep these products on hand rather than throwing them out, and you’ll be reducing food waste and keeping money in your pocket. Score!

13 Foods That Will Never Expire

1. Honey

Honey may crystallize over time, but it won’t actually expire or become unusable. The reason it is so resistant to spoilage is because it’s only made up of about 17% water, which is too low to accommodate most bacteria and fungi. The honey actually dehydrates bacteria, so it is essentially its own preservative! If your honey does crystallize, just run your sealed container under hot water for a few minutes. The honey will soften, while maintaining its sweet flavor. (I store mine in a mason jar with this cool dipper lid!)

2. Sugar

Both white and brown sugar can be used indefinitely if they are stored in an airtight container away from light and heat. When sugar is properly stored, it is extremely inhospitable to bacteria and other things you probably don’t want to eat. However, if moisture is allowed to mix with the sugar, it can become hard and clumpy, and even become a food source for bacteria. For long-term storage, try storing your sugar in a vacuum-sealable container.

3. White Rice

I mention white rice specifically, because brown rice will eventually go bad due to its higher oil content. But white rice, if stored properly in an airtight container, will stay good forever!

Related: Why You Should Rinse Your Rice (and How!)

4. Salt

Treating foods with salt is one of the world’s oldest methods of food preservation. It is extremely effective at dehydrating things, including bacteria, so properly stored salt will remain usable for years. However, if the salt is fortified or has added ingredients, like iodine, you can assume that the salt will have a shorter shelf life than regular old salt. (It will still stay good for several years, though!)

What is the most cursed katana?

The Muramasa is a Japanese Katana sword known as cursed and demonic. It is a real historical sword surrounded by terrifying legends and stories. In...

Last updated Jun 15, 2022

Can you get PlayStation Plus for free?

You need a credit/debit card or PayPal account registered to your account for PlayStation Network to sign up for and access a free trial offer. The...

Last updated Nov 8, 2022

Promotion

5. Cornstarch

Cornstarch is another powdery ingredient that will stay good indefinitely. Follow the same storage tips listed above to ensure it stays uncontaminated (in an airtight container, stored away from light and heat.)

6. Vinegar

According to the Vinegar Institute, the shelf life of most vinegars is virtually indefinite. The acidic nature of vinegar makes it self-preserving (and also makes it a great preservative for other foods!) Properly stored white vinegar will remain unchanged over time, but other types of vinegar (like wine vinegars or apple cider vinegar) may change in color and appearance over time. The Vinegar Institute says that these changes are usually just aesthetic, and that the vinegar will still be perfectly good to use.

7. Pure Vanilla Extract

Pure vanilla extract has a very high alcohol content (around 40%), and alcohol is a well-known preservative. A bottle of pure vanilla extract will stay good pretty much indefinitely! Imitation vanilla also contains alcohol, but it also contains other ingredients that contribute to its shorter shelf life.

8. Maple Syrup

You can store unopened maple syrup in your pantry indefinitely, but once it has been opened, it needs to be stored properly to stay usable. Put your maple syrup into an airtight container and store it in the fridge after opening. Even stored this way, pure maple syrup shouldn’t expire for years.

9. Soy Sauce

Soy sauce contains a high level of salt, which as we know is a great preservative. So if your soy sauce is properly sealed and stored in a dark cupboard, it will stay perfectly usable indefinitely.

10. Bouillon Cubes

Bouillon cubes are another food item that have a long shelf life due to high salt content. These cubes won’t expire, which is a great reason to keep a container of them in your cupboard. You’ll always be ready to make a simple broth or add some extra flavor to soups and sauces!

11. Dried Beans

Can I buy land and live in an RV?

Let's get right into it: Is it legal to live in an RV on land you own? The short answer is: Yes, as long as you live in the right place. The...

Last updated Sep 8, 2020

Is fridge water safe to drink?

The risks associated to drinking water filtered by a fridge, includes exposure to microorganisms such as coliform and salmonella, which affect your...

Last updated Jan 15, 2022

Promotion

As an excellent source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, beans are great staple food to stock up on. Dried beans will last indefinitely if stored in a cool, dry place. That claim was put to the test in a 2005 study at Brigham Young University, which prepared and served pinto beans that were up to 32 years old to a group of 58 people. Among those taste-testers, around 80% said they would eat even the oldest beans as part of their regular diet in an emergency situation.

12. Powdered Milk

Powdered milk will stay good for 2 to 10 years after its best-by date, especially if you store it in an airtight container. Store it in a cool place below 60°F to extend the storage life even further, or pop it in your freezer to keep it fresh indefinitely! Reconstituted powdered milk isn’t a perfect substitution for the fresh stuff, but it sure is nice to have on hand when you’re in a bind!

13. Popcorn

Bags of microwave popcorn will expire, but the loose popcorn kernels can last virtually forever. Store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry area, and you can have popcorn anytime you want (even years from now!) Obviously these aren’t the only food items with a long shelf life. A good rule of thumb to remember is that foods will generally have a very long shelf life if they are dried, highly salty, highly sugary, or stored in vinegar.

Which of the items that don’t expire were you most surprised by?

I may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on this website. I always offer my own genuine recommendation. Learn more.

onegoodthingbyjillee.com - 13 Surprising Foods That Will Never Expire - One Good Thing by Jillee

How can I feed myself with no money?

Meals to Make When You Have No Money 1.) Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. This one's a bit obvious, but PB&J is a classic staple and a REALLY...

Last updated Jul 2, 2018

What is the biggest human instinct?

The self-preservation survival instinct is the instinct of physical self-protection. As living species, our bodies are the catalyst for our lives....

Last updated Jul 21, 2022

Promotion

What rank are PJs?

Of the roughly 200 Air Force Cross recipients, only 24 are enlisted rank, of which 12 are Pararescuemen. ... United States Air Force Pararescue....

Last updated Dec 14, 2018

Promotion

What happens to your face after years of makeup?

Untimely Aging Leaving makeup on for a longer period along with sun damage can result in premature ageing signs like wrinkles, fine lines and age...

Last updated Apr 12, 2019