Opening your fridge and seeing that your priceless groceries are getting near to expiry—this is really stressful. One can easily think that after some time elapses after a date, the item is useless, but this is not always true. When properly stored and handled, many foods are likely to have a longer shelf life than anticipated. Sometimes, a printed label can be more accurately explained by smell, texture, and general look. Although everything must not be stored longer without a review, there is a list of common kitchen products that are known to be useful in the long term. It can be informed about the food that may last longer to minimize wasted food, save money, and make daily cooking more practical and less stressful.
Honey
It is a very common fact about honey that when it is kept closed and not in contact with any moisture, it remains stable for a very long time. It can either thicken or crystallize, and this may appear strange, but warmth may sometimes restore it to its natural consistency.
White Rice
When kept in a cool and dry environment, white rice can outlive most of the expectations of people. It can last many years, but the change of smell or presence of pests must never be ignored, and it must be cooked.
Salt
Salt is not a commonly found food but a mineral, and this could be the reason why it will still be usable to a great extent. It may become hard or lumpy in the humid regions, but the essence of it typically remains the same.
Sugar
Sugar is very durable when it is stored away in a dry and airless environment. Lumps may develop with time, but those do not necessarily imply that it has gone bad; it is just that it has leached some humidity.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a dry material that may be preserved in case of being separated by moisture and heat. It does not easily go bad, but it can take on the smell of the surrounding foods, and this can be reflected in the production of recipes.
White Vinegar Pickles
Vinegar-preserved pickles can take a lot longer than predicted to spoil, provided the jar remains closed and untouched. The texture and taste could be changed, but usually they could be utilized without any evident spoilage.
Maple Syrup
The shelf life of pure maple syrup can be long, provided that it is stored properly and, in particular, stored in the refrigerator once opened. In other instances, molds may occur, and synthetic syrup could be washed off and reboiled.
Hard Cheese
Even if the date of some hard cheeses has elapsed, they can still be used provided they are kept well. Occasionally, small surface mold can be trimmed away, but the alteration of smell or texture must not be overlooked.
Pasta
Another product that could have a much longer life than the date printed on its package is dry pasta. When it is dry and not opened, it can be used, but quality might shift gradually with long-period storage.
