15 foods that last a very long time

1. Biscuits

How many are stored: before 2 yearsGOST 14032‑68 “Biscuits. Specifications».

Hard and almost tasteless biscuits are unlikely to cause a storm of gastronomic delight. Why stock them up then? If you are into homemade desserts, they can come in handy as an alternative to expensive cookies in cakes, cheesecake or chocolate sausage. And they also make excellent breadcrumbs and an additive to minced meat.

Store biscuits in sealed packaging.

2. Dark chocolate

How much is stored: up to 2 yearsDark Chocolate/Harvard Chan School.

For better stockpiling choose chocolate with a cocoa content of 70%. Keep the tiles in a tightly closed container in a dry and dark place at a temperature between +18 and +21°C. Do not refrigerate, otherwise a not too appetizing white coating will appear on the surface.

3. dried mushrooms

How many are stored: before 2 yearsGOST 33318‑2015 “Dried mushrooms. Specifications».

You can find white, mushrooms, boletus, oyster mushrooms or champignons in any supermarket. GOST recommends storing dry mushrooms for no more than two years. No major manipulations are required. Transfer supplies to a dry, clean jar, paper bag, or canvas bag and store in a cool, dry place.

4. Powdered milk

How much is stored: before 5 yearsA guide to food storage for emergencies / Utah State University.

For the average consumer, this is not the most obvious product, but you can cook a huge amount with it. delicious meals - from desserts proven over the years to homemade sausages.

In addition, milk powder is easier to store than fresh milk. It is enough to leave the powder in the production packaging or transfer it to sealed containers with oxygen absorbers. The cooler it is in the room, the longer the milk will not spoil. The ideal temperature is not higher than 10 °C.

5. canned food

How many are stored: up to 5 years.

Deadlines for different types canned food differ. The most perishable are fish and vegetables. Tuna, saury and ivashi GOST recommendsGOST 7452‑2014 “Natural canned fish. Specifications» eat within 24 months from the date of manufacture. However, some manufacturers produce canned food that can lie for three years.

Preservation of peas or corn depends1. GOST 34112‑2017 “Canned vegetables. Green peas. Specifications»
2. GOST 34114‑2017 “Canned vegetables. Sugar corn. Specifications» from container. In glass, vegetables will last for three years, but in metal cans with an enamel inner coating, they can last up to four.

longest storedGOST 32125‑2013 “Canned meat. Stewed meat. Specifications» meat stew. In tins or aluminum cans, beef, pork and lamb do not spoil for up to five years.

6. Sugar

How much is stored: 2 to 10 yearsA guide to food storage for emergencies / Utah State University.

Keep sugar in a cool and dry place. Try to completely eliminate contact with moisture, otherwise the sand will become hard and lumpy. Another important point is the absence of strong and pungent odors: the product can absorb them even through plastic packaging. For small quantities, it is convenient to use plastic bags, although sugar can be left in the factory bag.

7. split peas

How much is stored: 1 year to 20 yearsA guide to food storage for emergencies / Utah State University.

In an ordinary bag or container, peas will last a year if left in a cool and dark place. If you put it in a completely sealed container with an oxygen absorber, best before date may increase to 20 years.

8. dry lentils

How much is stored: from 1 year up to 30 yearsA guide to food storage for emergencies / Utah State University.

Tightly closed containers, coolness, lack of moisture and light are the best conditions for maintaining the nutritional properties of lentils throughout the year. When using sealed containers, the terms increase to two or three decades.

9. Oat flakes

How many are stored: from 1.5 years to 30 yearsM. b. McEwan, L. v. Ogden, O. A. Pike. Effects of long-term storage on quality of regular and quick rolled oats / Brigham Young University ScholarsArchive.

It is best to use airtight containers that will lie in a cool and dark place. It would be useful to add oxygen scavengers - so the oatmeal will last even longer. With full sealing, even after 30 years, you can weld excellent porridge from ordinary cereals or instant cereals.

10. polished rice

How much is stored: before 30 yearsStoring white rice / Utah State University.

Ideal conditions are dry, clean and cool. It is better to choose sealed containers, this will provide protection from insects and rodents. Additionally, oxygen scavengers can be used.

Even at 21 ° C, rice will lie for up to 10 years. In even cooler rooms and in oxygen-free packaging, the product will not lose its taste properties even after 30 years. The best storage temperature is around 4.5°C.

11. Dry beans

How much is stored: from 1 year up to 30 yearsC. M. Larson, A. R. Sloane, L. v. Ogden, O. A. Pike. Effects of long-term storage on quality of retail-packaged pinto beans / Brigham Young University ScholarsArchive.

best to pack beans in tightly closed containers and store in a dry, dark and cool place. In such conditions, it will lie perfectly for a year. To increase the shelf life to 30 years, you will need fully sealed containers, oxygen scavengers and a temperature of +10 to +21 ° C.

12. Table and sea salt

How much is stored: unlimited timeGOST R 51574‑2018 “Edible salt. General technical conditions».

For salt, a tightly closed container is best, which should be stored in a dark, cool place or left at room temperature. If you plan to store the product for decades, ensure that the container is completely sealed.

As for iodized salt, its shelf life is 18 months. After it can also be used, but will no longer contain a useful additive.

13. Soda

How much is stored: from 2 yearsGOST 32802‑2014 “Food additives. Sodium carbonates E500. General technical conditions» to infinity.

Soda is recommended to be used within two years, but, as a rule, the manufacturer himself sets the control date. Therefore, on a yellow-red pack familiar from childhood, the inscription “Shelf life is not limited” can flaunt.

Soda should also be stocked up because it can be used not only in cooking, but also instead of household chemicals.

14. Honey

How much is stored: unlimited timeHoney's Eternal Shelf Life, Explained / Discover magazine.

Honey is best kept in a jar with a tightly closed lid. This will help prevent contact with moisture and foreign odors. Choose a dark place, with a temperature of 0 to +20 ° C.

Please note that all of these tips apply to natural honey without additives. For information on the shelf life of cream honey or options with additional ingredients, it is better to look at the packaging.

15. table vinegar

How much is stored: 2 years to infinityHow long does vinegar last / The Vinegar Institute.

Another product that is used not only in cooking. Vinegar might help for the cleaning surfaces and even washing.

According to GOSTGOST R 56968‑2016 “Table vinegar. Specifications», the shelf life of table vinegar is set by the manufacturer. The document also indicates the recommended period - two years from the date of manufacture. But according to experts, vinegar is just can notHow long does vinegar last / The Vinegar Institute go bad.

So just put it in a sealed original packaging - preferably glass - in a dark place. The temperature is normal, room temperature.

Irina Sakharova