Foods that never go bad: We all have these products in the fridge or in the pantry. Looking at the best-before date often causes uncertainty that shouldn’t be there. Because they exist: foods that don’t go bad.
foods high in sugar
The golden nectar, the honey, never goes bad by itself. But you have to make sure that it is tightly closed and stored in a cool and dry place. You should also make sure that no foreign bodies such as breadcrumbs get into the pure honey and, above all, no liquid, because this makes it sour. If the honey does crystallize, simply heat it up slightly and it will become liquid and lump-free again.
Maple syrup also has a high sugar content, which is why it has a long shelf life. Once maple syrup is open, it is best to put it in the refrigerator, as this will greatly increase its shelf life. As with honey, if maple syrup clumps, simply place in warm water and enjoy again.
When it comes to foods containing sugar, pure sugar should of course not be missing. It is non-perishable as bacteria cannot survive on pure sugar. In order to store it in the best possible way, you should seal the sugar airtight. Rock-hard lumps can form if liquid gets into the vessel.
dry foods
Rice is also always a good choice when it comes to storing long-life foods. Basmati rice, wild rice and jasmine rice in particular do not go bad if stored dry and airtight (e.g. in a screw-top jar). Note, however, that this does not apply to brown, oblong natural rice, which does not keep forever due to its high fat content. If you like a little more variety, you can also use bulgur, quinoa, couscous or buckwheat. Not only can they be used to conjure up great dishes, they can also be stored dry for several years.
Unsurprisingly, salt never goes bad and doesn’t lose its potency. It should only be protected from getting wet, otherwise it will clump together. Just close it tightly and you can always use it.
Commonly used to thicken sauces, the versatile cornstarch won’t spoil even when tightly sealed.
Non-perishable liquids
Vinegar, more precisely distilled white wine vinegar, is almost imperishable. So don’t mind if you’re happy to store lots of bottles to make sauces, marinades, and dressings. The uncomplicated storage, namely tightly closed in a cool, dark place, makes it a must-have in every kitchen.
If you often get one or the other schnapps as a gift and can’t use it up as quickly as you get it, you don’t have to worry. Even after opening, it takes several decades for the aroma to slowly fade.
Water is also a classic when it comes to long-lasting products. Most of the time, a best-before date is printed on the water. However, this does not refer to the water, but to the plastic bottle. Over time, the plastic bottle releases plasticizers into the water. It is therefore more advantageous to use water in glass bottles, because this can be stored in a cool and dark place forever.
Conscious handling of food
One likes to fetch full preserves from the farthest corner of the pantry. But don’t worry, even if there is a best-before date, they can be kept indefinitely. While the texture, color, and flavor may change, that doesn’t mean the canned food is bad. But you should be careful with bulging cans. This can be a sign that bacteria are active there and a fermentation process is taking place. Then, of course, full preserves are inedible.
Preservation of food in jars
Not only do these foods have a long shelf life, you can also ensure that foods last longer yourself. There are a number of preservation methods* for this, including boiling, pickling and drying. Preserving is particularly suitable for fresh fruit and vegetables and for ready-cooked dishes. In addition to cucumbers, you can also pickle beans, carrots, onions or peppers. One of the oldest and simplest methods of preserving food is drying. This works with fruit, vegetables, herbs, seeds, nuts, fish and meat.
to boil down food
To avoid that so much still good food ends up in the trash, note that food is often still safe to eat after the best-before date has passed. The prerequisite for this is that the pack is sealed and stored correctly. Food may therefore be resold after the best-before date has expired. On the other hand, the use-by date, which is usually found in more sensitive foods, indicates the last day on which it can be sold and consumed.
