Foods that you can safely eat post their expiry date

All packaged foods come with an expiry date and it is best to use them within the specified period. But do you know that there are certain food items that don’t have any specified shelf-life and can literally last forever? These foods can preserve themselves naturally and don’t go bad until they are infected by insects or affected by humidity. Here are some common kitchen items that you can easily and safely consume even post their printed expiry date. (image credits-istock)

Honey has a low acidic pH which prevents the bacteria from thriving. You can just store honey in an airtight glass bottle and it will last for years together (basically forever). It might crystalise with time but it absolutely safe for consumption.

Vinegar is a self-preserving agent and is widely used to preserve and ferment other food items like pickles. You can just store the vinegar in your kitchen cabinet and it won’t spoil even in hot summer conditions.

Also Read: Foods you should strictly avoid as per your zodiac

Be it regular white table salt or Himalayan rock salt, any type of salt will last forever when stored properly. Just store salt in an airtight container and use a dry and clean spoon to take it out.

Vanilla extract is the essence of baking and is used to make cakes, muffins, pies and even bread. It is said that it is best to use pure vanilla extract within 4-5 years but if stored properly, it can even last indefinitely.

‘The older the wine, the better’. The statement holds true for any kind of alcohol. All distilled spirits like gin, vodka, whiskey, rum, tequila and even wine never get spoiled even after repetitive opening and closing. Store your spirits in a cool and dark place to preserve them in the best way possible.

Also Read: Why you should never drink whisky on the rocks

Pasta is a dry ingredient and won’t spoil until it is affected by humidity. Store pasta in an airtight container and it will last for at least 1-2 years even after the expiration date. You can add a dry red chilli or preserving pills to prevent pasta from getting infected by bugs.

Usually, white refined sugar packets come with a shelf life of 2 years printed on them but technically, sugar can last much more than that, if stored properly. Use a dry and clean jar to store sugar and always use a dry spoon to scoop it out. If the sugar starts crystalizing and a damp smell comes from it, then you need to throw it away as it might have come in contact with a wet spoon or even humidity.

Disclaimer: It is best to use foods before their date of expiry. The above-given foods are safe for consumption if they don’t look or smell bad. If they do, it is best to discard them right away.

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