12 Cooking Ingredients That Practically Never Goes Bad
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A well-stocked pantry provides peace of mind when feeding the family. Many of these long-lasting staples can form the backbone of countless recipes, offering the freedom to cook whenever the need arises. Here’s a list of 12 essential cooking ingredients that practically never expire.
Dried Beans
Dried beans are an essential item for long-term food storage and a favorite for many due to the nutrition they bring to meals. They can maintain their quality and nutritional value for years when kept in a cool, dry spot.
Honey
Honey is one of the most shelf-stable foods you can find. Thanks to its natural sugars and low moisture content, it has an impressive ability to resist microbial growth, giving it an incredibly long lifespan. In fact, pure honey is one of the few foods that never spoils and can remain safe to eat for decades or even longer if stored correctly. Beyond being a delicious addition to meals and drinks, honey offers health benefits too. It’s rich in antioxidants that help protect your body from free radicals. It also serves as a natural remedy for soothing sore throats and suppressing coughs, often proving as effective as many over-the-counter options.
Maple Syrup
When kept unopened and stored in a cool place, pure maple syrup can have an almost unlimited shelf life in your pantry. As long as the bottle remains sealed and intact, it can stay fresh for years. Enjoy it drizzled over pancakes or as a natural sweetener in your favorite pumpkin latte.
Salt
Salt is a reliable preservative known for its long-lasting flavor and effectiveness. It’s a great addition to your pantry, as it not only adds taste to many dishes but also serves other practical purposes. You can use it to reduce bitterness in coffee, clean a cast iron pan, soothe a sore throat, or even as a simple skin exfoliant.
Sugar
Similar to salt, sugar has an indefinite shelf life because its low moisture content prevents microbial growth. While it may harden or clump over time, you can easily soften it by adding a slice of bread or an apple. It’s a great pantry staple that can practically last forever.
White Rice
Rice is the perfect pantry staple. It pairs well with many dishes and can even be a meal on its own. Thanks to its low moisture content, white rice can last for decades when stored correctly.
Corn Starch
Cornstarch is a must-have thickening agent that can last indefinitely when stored in a cool, dry place. As long as it’s kept properly, it rarely ever goes bad.
Dried Pasta
Dried pasta is an essential pantry staple that can last for years when stored in a cool, dry place. It’s perfect for whipping up your favorite Italian dishes and makes it easy to prepare meals for the whole family.
Liquor
Liquors such as vodka, whiskey, and rum have an indefinite shelf life, thanks to their high alcohol content, which naturally prevents them from spoiling.
Apple Cider Vinegar
With its acidic nature, vinegar remains stable and does not lose its potency over time.
Soy Sauce
Due to its high salt content, soy sauce can last indefinitely in an unopened container.
Baking Soda
Baking soda has an impressively long shelf life. Beyond just baking, it’s also handy for cleaning and deodorizing, and it can remain effective for years when kept in a sealed container.
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