Stocking your pantry with food that will last you through the end of life, or at least outlast your gym membership, is a great way to reduce waste, conserve cash, and prepare for the unexpected. These 26 superstar items are basically the vampires of the food world, refusing to age thanks to their magical chemistry, lack of moisture, and sheer stubbornness against spoilage. So let’s dig into why these foods are getting the cold shoulder from Father Time and how you can ensure they have the best (and longest) shelf life.
1.Honey
Why it doesn’t go bad: Honey has natural antibacterial properties, and its low water content and high acidity create an unfriendly environment for bacteria and mold. Archaeologists have even discovered edible honey in ancient Egyptian tombs.
Storage Tip: Store honey in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid contamination with water and contaminants to prevent fermentation.
Pro Tip: The Crystallized Honey Dilemma
If the honey crystallizes, place the jar in warm (not boiling) water to bring it back to liquid state. Avoid using the microwave as high heat can break down the beneficial enzymes.
2. Salt
Why it doesn’t rot: Salt is a mineral and doesn’t rot because it has no organic components to break down. It is also used in food preservation to inhibit the growth of microorganisms.
Storage Tip: Store in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture from clumping. Use food-grade containers for long-term storage.
Pro tip: Add rice to the salt
If you store a large amount of salt, add a few grains of uncooked rice to the container to absorb moisture and prevent it from clumping in humid environments.
See also: Stores known for slashing prices on products as they near their expiry date
3.White rice
Why it doesn’t spoil: White rice is milled to remove the oily bran layer that makes it susceptible to spoilage. This allows it to be stored for decades.
Storage Tip: Use an airtight container or mylar bag with an oxygen absorber to protect it from moisture and pests. Avoid brown rice as it has a short shelf life due to its high oil content.
Pro tip: Store your rice in the freezer
Freeze new bags of rice for 48 hours after purchase to kill insect eggs. To make it last longer, store it in an airtight container with an oxygen absorber.
4. Vinegar
Why it won’t spoil: Vinegar’s high acidity acts as a natural preservative, preventing the growth of microorganisms. White vinegar in particular can be stored forever.
Storage Tip: Keep bottle tightly closed and store at room temperature. Colored or flavored vinegars are safe to use, although they may lose their flavor over time.
Pro tip: Vinegar has many uses
Use white vinegar as a natural cleaner for windows, counters, and drains. Storing it in a spray bottle makes it easy to get a non-toxic cleaner that never expires.
5. Soy sauce
Why it doesn’t spoil: Soy sauce has a high salt concentration, and fermentation creates a naturally preserved product. Unopened bottles can be stored for years, and opened bottles are safe for several months.
Storage Tip: For best flavor and to prevent color change, store in the refrigerator after opening.
Pro tip: Buy your soybeans at Costco?
If you buy a large container of soy sauce at Costco or Sam’s, consider transferring it to a smaller container after opening to reduce exposure to air. This preserves flavor and freshness for longer.
6. Sugar
Why it doesn’t spoil: Sugar has a very low moisture content, making it less susceptible to bacteria and mold. If stored properly, it can be stored indefinitely.
Storage tip: Seal sugar in an airtight container to prevent it from hardening and contamination by pests.
7. Dried beans
Why they don’t rot: Dried beans have very low moisture content, which prevents bacterial growth. It may take longer to cook over time, but it is safe to eat.
Storage Tip: Store beans in an airtight container to prevent pests from entering. Adding bay leaves will naturally help repel insects.
Pro tip: Baking soda trick
If you have old beans that take a long time to cook, add a pinch of baking soda to the water to soften them faster without affecting the flavor.
8. Instant coffee
Why it doesn’t spoil: Freeze-drying removes almost all the water, making instant coffee less likely to spoil.
Storage Tip: Store unopened jars or packs in a cool, dry place. Opened packages must be tightly sealed to maintain freshness.
Pro tip: Absorb moisture
Keep a small silica gel desiccant pack (like the ones in your vitamin bottle) inside your coffee container to absorb moisture and preserve freshness.
Related Article: 24 Often Overlooked Ways to Save Money at the Grocery Store
9. Powdered milk
Why it doesn’t spoil: Powdered milk has a low moisture content, especially when stored in oxygen-free packaging.
Storage Tip: Store in an airtight container away from heat and light. Rotate your stock every few years for the best flavor.
Pro tip: overnight tricks
Use powdered milk to make creamy soups and desserts. Mix with cold water and refrigerate overnight for the best taste and texture.
10. Cornstarch
Why it doesn’t spoil: Cornstarch is a pure starch and contains no oils or proteins that can spoil it. If stored properly, it can be stored indefinitely.
Storage Tip: Store in a dry, airtight container to prevent moisture from clumping.
Pro tip: double bag
Store cornstarch in a resealable plastic bag before placing it in a container for double protection from moisture and caking.
11. Alcohol
Why they don’t go bad: Hard liquors like vodka, whiskey, and rum have high alcohol content and act as preservatives. If it is unopened, it will not spoil.
Storage Tip: To protect the seal and prevent evaporation, store the bottle upright in a cool, dark place.
Pro tip: Not all booze qualifies
If the alcohol has cream in it, like Bailey’s Irish Cream, it won’t last forever. When stored in the refrigerator, the upper limit is 2 years.
12. Ghee
Why it doesn’t spoil: Ghee is clarified butter that has all the water and milk solids removed. This makes it shelf-stable and resistant to spoilage.
Storage Tip: Store in an airtight jar in a cool, dark cupboard. Freezing will further extend its life.
13. Spice
Why they don’t spoil: Whole spices like cloves, cinnamon, and peppercorns contain natural oils and antioxidants that slow down spoilage.
Storage Tip: Store spices in airtight containers, away from light and moisture. Ground spices lose their potency faster, but are safe to use.
Pro tip: Unleash flavor.
Roasting whole spices in a dry pan before grinding them will maximize their aroma and flavor. This is especially useful for older spices.
14. Apple cider vinegar
Why it won’t spoil: Like white vinegar, apple cider vinegar is highly acidic, which prevents the growth of microorganisms. Nature’s “mother” culture adds probiotics and also helps preserve it.
Storage Tip: Store in an airtight bottle. Cloudiness and precipitation are normal and do not indicate rot.
15. Baking soda
Why it doesn’t degrade: Baking soda is a mineral compound that doesn’t degrade over time. However, it may have weak leavening properties for baking.
Preservation Tip: Test its effectiveness by mixing a teaspoon with vinegar. If it’s still bubbling, it’s still suitable for baking.
16. Dried pasta
Why it won’t spoil: Dried pasta is made from durum wheat and water and has a very low moisture content. This makes it less susceptible to spoilage.
Storage Tip: To protect from pests, store in the original packaging or transfer to an airtight container.
17. Maple syrup
Why it won’t spoil: Pure maple syrup has a high sugar concentration, which inhibits microbial growth.
Storage Tip: Unopened bottles can be stored at room temperature. After opening, refrigerate or freeze to extend the shelf life.
18. Freeze-dried foods
Why they don’t spoil: Freeze-drying removes nearly all the moisture, making these foods shelf-stable for decades. Yes, literally decades.
Storage Tip: Store freeze-dried foods in vacuum-sealed Mylar bags containing an oxygen absorber.
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19. Canned food
Why it doesn’t spoil: The canning process sterilizes food and seals it in an airtight environment. If unopened and undamaged, canned goods can be stored for years past the printed date.
Storage Tip: To prevent rust and rot, avoid storing cans in hot or humid areas.
Pro tip: Rotate your stock
Use a marker to label the can with the date of purchase. This allows you to track your oldest items and ensure proper rotation and usage.
20. Bouillon cube
Why it won’t spoil: The high salt content acts as a natural preservative, making bouillon cubes safe to use for years.
Storage Tip: To preserve flavor and prevent moisture, store cubes in an airtight container in their original foil wrapper.
Pro tip: make powder
Broken bouillon cubes into a fine powder can be used to create a quick seasoning for soups and stews, or as a meat rub. This makes it easier to measure small quantities.
21. Tea leaves
Why it doesn’t spoil: Dried tea leaves have less water content, which prevents the growth of microorganisms. Black tea in particular ages well.
Storage Tip: Store in a cool, dry place, protected from light and air, in an airtight container.
22. Ramen
Why it won’t spoil: The noodles are dehydrated, which makes them less likely to spoil. The oil content may shorten the expiry date of the flavor pack.
Storage tip: As long as the noodles are still dry and odor-free, they are safe to eat even if you throw away the seasoning bag.
23. Pure vanilla extract
Why it won’t spoil: Real vanilla extract contains high levels of alcohol, which means it will last forever.
Storage Tip: Store in a dark, cool cupboard to preserve flavor. Avoid imitation vanilla as it can deteriorate over time.
24. Coconut oil
Why it doesn’t go bad: Coconut oil contains saturated fats that don’t go bad, even at room temperature.
Storage Tips: Store in a cool, dark place. It is normal for oil to solidify at low temperatures and does not affect quality.
Pro tip: Very versatile item
Coconut oil can be used for more than just cooking. It can also be used as a natural moisturizer, hair conditioner, or makeup remover. Store in a cool, dark place to prevent spoilage.
25. Gelatin powder
Reason for not spoiling: Gelatin is derived from collagen and does not contain water, so it is extremely stable.
Storage Tip: Store in a dry, airtight container to prevent caking.
26. Distilled water
Why it doesn’t spoil: Distilled water is purified and free of contaminants, so it has an indefinite shelf life when stored in a clean, airtight container.
Storage Tip: Distilled water can be used in humidifiers, car batteries, and even as emergency drinking water. Store in a cool, dark place to avoid contamination.
Ask our readers: What items did I miss? Let me know in the comments. thank you.
Written by Kyle James
I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save money at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Costco. Ta. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and The New York Times for my money-saving tips. (learn more)
