7 Survival ‘Forever Foods’ That Could Outlive You

7 Survival ‘Forever Foods’ That Could Outlive You
Written by: Sandra A. Off-Grid Foods    Print This Article

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Preparing for a crisis that includes a shortage of food takes work. You know your food storage should include a variety of foods. And that they should be rotated. But did you know that there are foods that actually could outlive you? If not, read on.
Here are 7 foods that will last at least 30 years:
1. Sugar. Stored in air-tight containers, sugar can last more 30 years. But not all sugars last as long. If you’re including sugar in your food storage, it’s best to store the white refined crystalline sugar.
Of course, sugar has the potential of hardening. Storing it in no more than 5-gallon airtight containers is advised. If it hardens, you’ll only have to deal with a 5-gallon amount. If you store it in a 50-gallon container, you may have a nightmare on your hands.
In general, sugar should be kept in a cool, dry, dark place. A few tips in storing sugar includes:
a) Don’t store with oxygen absorbers, as they give off heat that can cause the sugar to harden.
b) Store sugar with rice. It will help keep it moisture-free
c) Sugar can absorb the odor of the foods around it. Make sure to use a new airtight container.
2. Honey. Honey discovered in Egyptian tombs was found to be edible. Because of that fact, we can safely say that honey will last forever. But as with sugar, not all honey will last. The ones that will outlive you are pure, raw, local honey.
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The honey you buy in general stores (the cheap kind) is heated in order to keep it in liquid form for a long time. That heating process destroys valuable enzymes, rendering it medicinally useless.
That being said, pure honey can crystalize. That’s normal. A simple fix is placing it in hot water so it will liquefy.
3. Salt. This is another staple that you don’t have to worry about rotating. Salt should be stored in an airtight container just like any other food. And like sugar and honey, not all salt is created equal.
You may be tempted to store sea salt if you’re a health nut. But the best type to store is kosher salt. This salt is good for canning, pickling or curing. Sea salt is not fit for food preservation.
4. Vinegar. The fermentation process is what makes vinegar last a long time. And it doesn’t have to be refrigerated because it is acidic. It can be kept at room temperature. Any sediment at the bottom of a vinegar bottle is not an issue. It is still good to use and consume.
There are many varieties of vinegar, but white and balsamic vinegar are the ones that will last the longest. It should be stored in glass bottles or jars, and the containers should be airtight and kept in a cool dark place away from heat sources.
That being said, vinegar should be kept away from the stove or any place that is heated and then cooled. Simply put, the variance in temperature is what you don’t want.
5. White Rice. Although brown rice is the healthier option, it’s not the best to store. The fats and oils it contains make it spoil quickly. When stored in Mylar bags, brown rice lasts about six months. Not bad, but then you really have to keep rotating it.
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White rice, on the other hand, will last 30 years when stored properly. It is recommended that the rice be stored in 5-gallon containers so you use what you need. Keep it in a cool, dry place where temperatures don’t fluctuate.
6. Dried Beans. Beans are a good complement to rice. Beans such as kidney, pinto, black or Lima are a good source of protein. Eaten with rice, it makes for a complete meal.
Beans should be stored in a cool, dry place. As with rice, it is recommended to store them in 5-gallon containers. Many survivalists use Mylar bags that they then place into food containers. Storing in small packets will make it easy to just take out what you need and no more.
7. Rolled Oats
You may not like oats, but they’re healthy and have an extra-long shelf life. They contain protein and soluble fiber. Oats would be a great breakfast choice during a food shortage.
Oats can be ground into flour and used in recipes that require flour. Oats should be stored in a cool, dry place in airtight containers.