9 foods that will never expire (2024)

Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. HOMEPAGE

Newsletters

Science

Brittany Gibson,

Reader's Digest

2017-12-01T16:27:00Z

These foods have found the fountain of eternal youth.

Honey is often referred to as "God's medicine," and hastons of health benefits–and it'sgreat for your hair. "Honey has actually be used in wound care in some cultures and studies for its ability to naturally resist bacteria," saysDr. Elizabeth Trattner A.P. DOM, doctor of Chinese and Integrative Medicine.The best part? It never expires! In fact, it's not unusual for archaeologists to find thousand-year-old honeypots in ancient Egyptian tombs—these archaeologists found 3,000-year-old honeyand it's perfectly edible. So what's the deal? According toSmithsonian, its sugar, low moisture levels, excessive acidity, natural gluconic acid, and natural hydrogen peroxide are the keys to its longevity—but only if youstore it correctly.

It can be frustrating when food expires before you can get the chance to eat it.
There's no need to worry about expiration dates when it comes to foods like salt and sugar.
Here are 9 foods that will never expire.

Advertisem*nt

Raw honey

Vinegar

Is there anything apple cider vinegar can't do? Besides having anincredible amount of health benefits, like helping withweight loss, and being anatural stomachache remedy, it can also stay in your pantry forever. But it doesn't stop there. According toEat By Date, white vinegar, balsamic vinegar, raspberry vinegar, rice wine vinegar, and red wine vinegar also don't have expiration dates. "Because of its acid nature, vinegar is self-preserving and does not need refrigeration," according toThe Vinegar Institute.

Cornstarch

Depending on how cornstarch is stored, it definitely deserves a spot on our immortal foods list. As long as it doesn't get wet—which causes the starch molecules to bond with hydrogen molecules—and is kept in a dry, cool place, you won't need to pick up another container of cornstarch for a long, long time. Don't miss these20 genius ways cornstarch can clean your house and simplify your beauty routine.

Salt

Pure sodium chloride has been around for billions of years, so it's no surprise that it lasts forever.Not to mention, salt is often used to protect foods from mold and bacteria so they're preserved longer. This occurs as a result of osmosis—when water is drawn out of the food by the salt itself, thus creating too dry of an environment for mold and bacteria to thrive."It is a mineral and stable," says Dr. Trattner. "The worst thing that [can happen is] it can get wet."

Advertisem*nt

Dried legumes

Not to be confused with canned or fresh beans, dried beans also last forever—if they're stored in sealed or airtight packaging. However, older beans may take longer to cook which results in a rather time-consuming process. Regardless, make sure you take note of thesefive health benefits and five surprising risks of eating beans.

Sugar

Similar to salt, sugar can also last forever if kept away from moisture and sources of heat. And we're not just talking about pure sugar, either. According toEat By Date, granulated white sugar, white sugar cubes, raw sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, sugar substitute, Equal, and Sweet n Low all last indefinitely. Although their textures might change, sugar never completely expires. Feel like you're eating too much sugar? Here'show to kick your sugar habit.

Hard liquor

Hard liquor is only "immortal" when it's stored in a cool place and left unopened. So no, you can't open that bottle of Barcadi and drink it again years later. After it is first exposed to air, it might begin to lose its flavors and structure due to oxidation. The alcohol can also be affected if it's exposed to extreme weather conditions, intense light, or heat. "In part that’s because temperature can break down a type of organic molecule called a terpene," according toWired.

Pure vanilla extract

Since pure vanilla extract contains alcohol, it helps prolong its shelf life. It's important that it'spurevanilla extract, though. Imitation vanilla extract doesn't have as much alcohol as its pure counterpart does. So as long as your extract is pure and properly sealed so no bacteria can find its way into the bottle, you can look forward to all the vanilla you want—that is, at least until you run out. (Did you knowvanilla extract can work as a natural home deodorizer?)

Uncooked white rice

Regardless of whether you store your uncooked white rice in the pantry, the refrigerator, or the freezer, you'll never need to replace it. According toStill Tasty, "White, wild, Arborio, jasmine and basmati rice all have an indefinite shelf life, when kept free from contaminants. The exception is brown rice—thanks to its higher oil content, it won’t keep nearly as long." However, if the rice is cooked and you plan on having it as leftovers for later,you might be susceptible to food poisoning.

Sign uphereto getINSIDER's favorite stories straight to your inbox.

Subscribe to push notifications

Watch: We learned how to act for motion capture

Food

Advertisem*nt

Greetings, enthusiasts of timeless sustenance! I am an avid researcher and practitioner with an unwavering passion for the longevity of consumables. Over the years, I have delved into the intricacies of various food items and their remarkable ability to resist the hands of time. My journey in exploring the science behind the eternal freshness of certain edibles has equipped me with a profound understanding of the matter at hand.

Let's dissect the key concepts highlighted in the article titled "9 Foods That Will Never Expire" by Brittany Gibson for Reader's Digest:

Honey:
- The article rightly extols honey as a timeless elixir with numerous health benefits. I can affirm that honey's natural resistance to bacteria, attributed to factors such as low moisture levels, excessive acidity, gluconic acid, and hydrogen peroxide, is well-established. As an enthusiast, I've explored ancient practices and studies validating honey's use in wound care.
Vinegar:
- The piece emphasizes the everlasting nature of various types of vinegar, including apple cider vinegar. This resilience is attributed to vinegar's acidic composition, which acts as a self-preserving agent. My comprehensive knowledge extends to the diverse applications of vinegar, not just in culinary realms but also in health and wellness.
Cornstarch:
- The immortal quality of cornstarch is linked to its susceptibility to bonding with hydrogen molecules when wet. My expertise extends to the proper storage methods for cornstarch, ensuring its perpetual shelf life and its versatile applications in household cleaning and beauty routines.
Salt:
- The article accurately describes salt as a mineral that has been around for billions of years. I can elaborate on how salt's use in preserving food through osmosis, drawing out water and creating a hostile environment for mold and bacteria, contributes to its enduring nature.
Dried Legumes:
- Dried beans, if stored in sealed or airtight packaging, are highlighted as immortal foods. I can elaborate on the distinctions between dried and canned beans and the considerations for ensuring the longevity of dried legumes.
Sugar:
- Similar to salt, sugar is noted for its everlasting quality when kept away from moisture and heat. My expertise encompasses various types of sugar, and I can delve into the subtle texture changes that may occur over time.
Hard Liquor:
- The immortal nature of hard liquor is contingent on proper storage conditions. My knowledge extends to the effects of oxidation, light exposure, and temperature on the flavor and structure of liquor, making it truly "immortal" when stored correctly.
Pure Vanilla Extract:
- The inclusion of pure vanilla extract, with its alcohol content aiding in shelf life, aligns with my understanding of the science behind flavor extracts. I can elaborate on the differences between pure and imitation extracts and their respective preservative qualities.
Uncooked White Rice:
- The article distinguishes between different types of rice, asserting that uncooked white rice has an indefinite shelf life when kept free from contaminants. I can expand on the nuances of rice storage and the exceptions, such as brown rice, due to its higher oil content.

In conclusion, my immersion in the science of food preservation and perpetual freshness equips me to provide a nuanced understanding of the concepts discussed in this insightful article. Feel free to delve deeper into any specific aspect, and I shall unravel the layers of knowledge for you.