Forever Foods: 10 Cooking Staples That Can Outlast You

Mother Nature Network ^ | December 17, 2010 | Laura Moss

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Now that the holiday season has begun, many people are making extensive grocery lists in preparation for parties, dinners and cookie swaps. But before you shop, Janice Revell, co-founder of StillTasty.com, says "Look in your pantry and your cabinets and check whether the items really do need to go. You'll be shocked by what you really don't need to throw away."

So before you throw out that years-old sugar or replace that bottle of vanilla that's been gathering dust, consult our list of "forever foods." You may be surprised how many of your kitchen staples have a shelf life of decades — even after they've been opened.

[The Comedian]

Wheel chocks for a 747.

Top-kill plugs for the next BP oil well blowout.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[redhead]

"Not all fats. For instance, ghee and clarified butter can last for many years. In India there is ghee that is hundreds of years old and has not gone rancid. I believe coconut oil is also very stable."

For me, coconut oil is the ultimate indestructible oil/fat. It liquefies at room temp (around 75F) and when cooled, is brick-hard. Stores forever at any cooler temps.

[goat granny]

# 6 is the most important one.....:O)

[T Minus Four]

I disagree with hard liquor being on the list. You really can’t be too careful about some things.

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[patriot08]

Daddy sang bass, mama sang tenor
And me a little brother would join right in there..

[matt1234]

Thanks for the tip, especially about Distilled White Vinegar. I have some that’s 5 yrs. old. I was planning to use it for canning next year but was unsure if the acidity had changed. Sounds like it will be OK.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

You’re right. It’s especially important to ‘rotate’ your stock of hard liquor. :)

[Ratman83]

ping

[Prepper Doc]

You should rotate most of your stocks, lest they go bad.

[Tainan]

"...that is if you can keep from drinking it all."

Therein lays the problem - mead, I guess, is usually gone before the archeologists come along...;)