8 kitchen essentials that you can store for years!
Some foods expire within a few months or weeks and some expire within a few days. But here 8 kitchen essentials that can last for years if stored properly!
1. Honey
Did you know that archaeologists have found honey from over 3,000 years ago? The even more amazing thing is that they found that the honey was perfectly edible!
Honey is high in sugar, low in moisture, and has a lot of antibacterial properties, making it something that you can store in your kitchen cupboard for years without worrying about it going bad.
Honey also has a lot of nutrients and it is a healthier substitute for sugar.
2. Dried beans and nuts
Dried beans, lentils, nuts and other legumes all keep well when stored in a dry, airtight container. The drying process inhibits the growth of bacteria so you can safely keep dried beans in your kitchen without them going bad.
Dried beans and legumes are a good source of protein and serve as an alternative to rice.
Just make sure they're in a cool, dry place and stored in airtight containers.
3. Soy sauce
When stored properly, soy sauce can last for up to three years! Soy sauce has both a high salt content, and it's fermented, so it can last a long time without going bad.
4. Vinegar
Vinegar, being acidic, is resistant to a lot of bacteria that can cause food to spoil. Vinegar is also used in pickling, which prolongs the shelf life of food, so you can be sure that the vinegar in your cupboard won't spoil so long as you keep it sealed tight.
5. White rice
Kept in a cool, dry, and airtight container, white rice can last for years without going bad. On the other hand, brown rice doesn't keep as well since brown rice has more unsaturated fats which can go rancid.
6. Dark chocolate
Of course, chocolate is an essential part of your kitchen! The yummy treat is a nice treat to give your kids as a dessert, and it's also nice to curb your sweet tooth!
When stored in a cool dry place, it can actually last for 2 years!
7. Sugar
There's a reason why food with high sugar content lasts for a long time, that's because sugar draws water out, so it inhibits the growth of bacteria that thrives on moisture.
8. Salt
Just like sugar, salt also draws water out which means that it can help inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in your food. So long as you keep it in an airtight container, salt and sugar can last for years without spoilage.
*This article first appeared on theAsianparent Philippines
Source: edition.cnn.com
