The acidic nature of vinegar makes it self-preserving, and makes it a great preservative for other foods as well. VinegarĪccording to the Vinegar Institute, the shelf life of most vinegars is virtually indefinite. Vinegar is so acidic, it preserves itself! 6. Cornstarch has many uses besides cooking, so it’s definitely worth it to keep some on hand. To ensure it stays uncontaminated, store it in an airtight container away from light and heat. CornstarchĬornstarch is another powdery ingredient that will stay good indefinitely. Thank goodness cornstarch has a long shelf life because I don’t make cornbread often and, when I do, I always make it from scratch. It will still stay good for several years, though, and there are plenty of ways you can use salt aside from preserving and seasoning food. Keep in mind that salt fortified with iodine or other ingredients will have a shorter shelf life than regular salt. Salt is extremely effective at dehydrating things, including bacteria, and it will stay good for years if properly stored. Treating foods with salt is one of the world’s oldest methods of food preservation.

Salt has created & destroyed empires and been a major factor in the outcome of wars! Hard to imagine life without it.

Brown rice will eventually go bad due to its higher oil content, but white rice, if stored in an airtight container, will stay good forever! Rice is a staple food that is ideal for your emergency storage, but don’t forget to rinse rice before cooking it. If you’re looking to store rice for a while, it’s important to know that white rice will last longer than brown rice. There’s a reason rice is a mainstay in emergency food storage. For long-term storage, try storing your sugar in a vacuum-sealable container. However, if moisture is allowed to mix with the sugar, it can become hard and clumpy, and even become a food source for bacteria. So, if you’ve ever wondered “Does sugar go bad?”, the answer is no. Sugar also comes in handy outside the kitchen, making it a versatile commodity. When sugar is properly stored, it is extremely inhospitable to bacteria and other things you don’t want to eat. Sugarīoth white and brown sugar can be used indefinitely if they are stored in an airtight container away from light and heat. Keep your sugar dry and it will last forever! 2. If your honey does crystallize, just run the sealed container under hot water for a few minutes. Honey actually dehydrates bacteria, so it is essentially its own preservative (and you can even use it to dress minor wounds!) The reason it is so resistant to spoilage is because only about 17% of its structure is water, which isn’t enough to accommodate most bacteria and fungi. HoneyĪlthough it may crystallize over time, honey won’t actually expire or become unusable. Tip #4: Store Food In Your Car 14 Grocery Store Foods With The Longest Shelf Life Honey truly is the ‘Nectar of the Gods’! 1.

Easiest foods to stockpile