8 pantry staples that don't last for as long as you think
- It's easy to think pantry staples last forever, but that's not often the case.
- When opened and stored properly, condiments like ketchup and mayonnaise should be consumed within a few months.
- Other goods like tea bags, ground spices, and baking soda can lose their potency over time.
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Expiration dates aren't always the best guideline since some foods last longer than we might believe. But on the other hand, some common staples could be losing their flavor and potency long before you're ready to consume them.
Whether you're trying to plan your next meal or clean out your kitchen, here are some pantry staples that probably don't last for as long as you'd think.
Check your condiments — opened ketchup shouldn't be sitting in your fridge for a year.
Ketchup usually isn't refrigerated in stores and it often has expiration dates that are years in the future, but that doesn't mean your jumbo jar of it will last forever.
In reality, the texture and flavor of your ketchup can change and taste a bit unpleasant over time.
According to the FoodKeeper app from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), refrigerated ketchup should be consumed within six months of when you opened it.
Tea bags can lose their flavor and potency over time.
We tend to think that "nonperishable" means something will last forever, but this is rarely the case.
For the freshest, most high-quality flavors possible, tea bags should be used within 18 months to 36 months, per the FoodKeeper app.
Over time, the tea bags can lose their flavor — though dried tea leaves (if stored away from heat, light, and air) may last longer than bags.
High-acid canned goods won't last on your shelf for as long as you may think.
Stocking up on canned goods might seem like a good way to save money on pantry essentials so that you'll always have them on hand.
But the safety of these items typically depends on how acidic the canned good is, as high-acid canned goods may corrode the metal of the can quicker, which can alter the taste and texture of what's inside.
Some popular high-acid canned goods consist of tomato-based sauces, fruit juices, and sauerkraut.
When stored in a pantry, more acidic canned goods can last between 12 and 18 months, according to the FoodKeeper app.
Ground spices will lose their potency over time.
You might not think to check your spice rack when doing a kitchen clean-up, but you should regularly clear out your stash.
Ground spices typically only retain their flavor and potency for a few months after their containers are opened, though whole spices can last for up to five years, according to the Food Network.
The best way to tell if ground spices are still potent and flavorful is to sniff them. If they have no smell, you should probably toss them as they may not do much to season your dish.
Even when stored properly in the fridge, mayonnaise won't last for more than a few months.
Since mayonnaise is usually made with egg yolks, it should be refrigerated after it's opened.
That said, even stored in the fridge, mayonnaise will only stay good for about three months after it's been opened, according to Texas A&M University's food-safety guide.
White flour can last for much longer if you keep it in your fridge.
If you have white flour sitting in your pantry, you may want to move it into the fridge if you want it to last longer.
According to the FoodKeeper app, white flour can last between six and eight months after opening when it's stored in a pantry, but it can last for a year if you keep it in the fridge.
You'll also want to make sure to store flour in a plastic or glass container with a sealing lid so it stays extra fresh.
White or wild rice will typically last you longer than brown rice will.
Per the FoodKeeper app, if stored in your pantry, uncooked white or wild rice can last for up to two years — one year if opened.
On the other hand, uncooked brown rice can last for up to a year in a pantry whether it's been opened or not.
When opened, any of these kinds of rice will only last six months if stored in the fridge.
Baking powder doesn't exactly last forever.
Per the FoodKeeper app, baking powder can last between six and 18 months if it's not open. But after you open it, baking powder might only last three to six months.
Per Food52, an easy way to test if your baking powder is still potent is to put a bit of baking powder in a bowl and add some boiling water. If the mixture bubbles, the baking powder is likely good to go.
Read More:
- 18 ways you're storing groceries wrong that are cutting down their shelf life
- Chefs share 10 of the most freezer-friendly foods
- 14 foods that can last longer than you think