16 Surprising Foods/Ingredients That Will Never Expire
A lot of canned and dried foods have a long shelf-life, up to 5 years or more. However most foods, no matter how well packaged or stored, will eventually lose their nutritional value and spoil. There are, however, a handful of foods that can last forever. The following 16 foods have no expiration date and no shelf-life if stored properly. So by all means stock up on these items, doing so may mean nothing short of survival for you and your family during an emergency or food shortage.
Cornstarch
While its most commonly used to thicken sauces, stews, and syrups, cornstarch is a gluten-free forever food with a whole lot of other uses! To name a few, cornstarch can be used to eliminate odors, soothe rashes and sunburns, and also to detangle and clean hair. In a pinch, cornstarch can also be eaten straight out of the box or added to moist foods for extra nutrition.
Corn Syrup
As one of the most common sugar substitutes in the world, corn syrup is used in everything from baked goods to candy and soft drinks to canned foods. While regular sugar is also one of the forever foods, corn syrup can be a welcome changeup during an emergency when food variety is a luxury.
Dried Beans
Legumes are available in many easy to find and store forms. Pinto beans, lentils, black beans, garbanzos, and peas are just a few forms that can keep forever if sealed properly and stored in a cool dry place. In addition to just being a filling staple food, these legumes are packed with proteins, fiber, and carbs for energy. Dried beans can harden slightly as they age but will soften right back up during soaking or cooking.
Dried Pasta
As long as it is sealed away from moisture and insects, dried pasta can literally last you a lifetime. Easy to prepare even during difficult times, this forever food is also available in a wide variety of forms and flavors, including buckwheat, rice, flour, egg, and many more. A great source of carbs and energy, dried pasta can be worth its weight in gold in an emergency.
Extracts
Provided you are getting quality, liquor-based extracts, vanilla, orange, almond, mint, just about any extract will keep forever. These can be used in a great many ways to flavor foods, drinks, baked goods, or even as a deodorizer.
Hard Liquor
Beyond possible use as a celebratory drink or painful situation reliever, liquor can also be quite valuable to stock up on for tough times. Plain liquors can be useful for medical reasons and sterilization, and even remain stable after being opened. If nothing else, a good supply of liquor could also be an invaluable commodity when it comes to bartering with neighbors.
Hardtack
A dense cracker made simply from flour and water, hardtack has been a dietary staple and supplement worldwide for years. While not the tastiest food, hardtack can absolutely be the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. Made and stored properly, hardtack can literally last for decades.
Herbs and Spices
While it may not mean the difference between life and death, a good collection of herbs and spices can certainly seem essential if you are ever forced to live on things like hardtack and dried beans for a long period of time. Everything from black pepper, to cinnamon, cumin, basil, oregano, and many more can be a tasty ingredient in survival food as well as supplying much-needed nutrients. As long as herbs are high-quality and stored properly, they can last a lifetime.
