When it comes to food, freshness is usually best. The fresher food is, the more nutrients it contains. However, some foods have an incredibly long shelf life. In fact, certain foods seem to last forever without spoiling or going bad. So what foods never seem to expire?
Dried Beans
Dried beans are one of the foods with the longest shelf life. Provided they are stored properly in a cool, dark place, most dried beans can last for up to two years past their sell-by date before going bad. The hard outer shells of dried beans help protect the inner beans from air, moisture, and bacteria. This prevents them from spoiling quickly. Some varieties of dried beans, such as split peas and lentils, may only last one year past their sell-by date before expiring. But most other dried beans can safely be eaten for at least two years if stored correctly.
White Rice
Like dried beans, white rice can also last for years past its expiration date if stored properly. White rice has the bran and germ removed, giving the rice grains a longer shelf life. When kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry area, white rice can last for up to 30 years. The low moisture content makes it difficult for bacteria or fungi to grow. So while brown rice spoils more quickly due to its natural oils, white rice does not easily go rancid or bad.
Honey
With its thick consistency and low moisture content, pure honey essentially never goes bad. It may crystallize over time but can be restored to liquid form by heating it up. Honey found in the pyramids of ancient Egypt has remained unspoiled for thousands of years! The high sugar concentration in honey prevents microbial growth, while the acidic pH deters bacteria from multiplying. As long as it is properly sealed, honey can safely be eaten for decades, if not centuries, past its expiration date.
Soy Sauce
The extremely high salt content of soy sauce makes it unlikely to spoil. Unopened and stored at room temperature, soy sauce can last several years past its printed expiration date. Opened soy sauce kept in the refrigerator can also last 3-4 years. The fermentation process of soy sauce produce compounds that further prevent the growth of dangerous molds and bacteria. So despite its liquid form, properly stored soy sauce has an almost indefinite shelf life.
Pure Maple Syrup
Like honey, pure maple syrup resists spoiling due to its high sugar level and low moisture content. Kept sealed in the refrigerator or freezer, pure maple syrup can easily last more than one year past its printed best-by date. The naturally occurring compounds in maple syrup also inhibit the growth of microbes. So while artificial syrups can grow mold due to added preservatives, pure maple syrup remains unspoiled and safe to consume for years when stored properly.
Salt
Salt is one of the best natural preservatives, which is why it makes other foods last longer. And salt itself, as a dry mineral, lasts essentially forever without spoiling or expiring. Table salt, sea salt, kosher salt, and other forms of pure salt crystals can be safely stored indefinitely due to the natural stability of the sodium chloride molecules. Salt may occasionally clump due to absorbing a small amount of moisture, but dissolving it in water removes any clumps.
Sugar
The same qualities that make salt last forever also help sugar resist spoiling. White table sugar and other forms of pure sugar can be kept for indefinite time periods without worry of expiration. Granulated sugar may harden over time due to moisture absorption but can be made flowable again with the addition of moisture. As long as no liquids are added, pure sugar does not support microbial growth and never goes bad.
Vegetable Oil
Thanks to its high resistance to oxidation, vegetable oil can last opened at room temperature for up to a year past its printed expiration date. Unopened oil lasts even longer – up to 3 years past its best-by date. The stability of vegetable oils is due to their high content of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Keeping vegetable oil sealed and away from heat and light will extend its shelf life even further. Refrigeration can cause clouding in vegetable oils but does not make them spoil faster.
Hard Liquor
Distilled alcoholic beverages like vodka, rum, tequila, and whiskey keep indefinitely once bottled. Hard liquors do not spoil or go bad regardless of whether the bottle is opened or unopened. The higher the alcoholic proof, the longer liquor remains stable and unspoiled. The exception is liqueurs and other flavored liquors, which have added sugar and flavorings. But classic 80-proof hard liquors are highly shelf-stable and do not require refrigeration. Just keep them tightly sealed to prevent evaporation.
Vanilla Extract
The pure alcohol content of vanilla extract preserves it indefinitely. Like hard liquors, pure vanilla extract never spoils or expires regardless of age. The vanilla beans infused into the alcohol may lose potency over several years, resulting in diminished flavor. But this does not make the vanilla extract dangerous to consume. As long as the bottle is kept tightly sealed, the worst that can happen is faded vanilla flavor.
Powdered Milk
Thanks to the dehydration process that removes all its moisture, powdered milk can keep for up to 10 years if unopened and up to 3 years once opened. The extremely low moisture content of powdered milk deprives bacteria of the environment they need to grow. Once water is added to rehydrate it, powdered milk should be used within just a few days. But in its powdered form, it remains unspoiled for years.
Why These Foods Last so Long
So why do all these foods have such long shelf lives? Several key factors help prevent spoilage and expiration:
- Low moisture content – Bacteria and fungi need moisture to survive and grow. Removing moisture through drying or dehydration prevents microbial growth.
- High sugar or salt content – High levels of salt and sugar bind water molecules making it unavailable for microbes to use.
- Acidic pH – Most microbes cannot survive in acidic conditions. Naturally acidic foods last longer.
- Lack of oxygen – Vacuum sealing or oil packaging prevents aerobic bacteria and mold growth.
- Alcohol content – Alcohol levels above 20% kill off most dangerous bacteria and fungi.
Foods that combine several of these traits, like dried beans and jars of honey, essentially never go bad. This makes them reliable staples to keep in your pantry for years on end.
Storing Foods for Maximum Freshness
While certain foods may technically never go bad, proper storage plays a big role in optimizing their shelf life. Here are some tips for getting the most out of foods with long expiration dates:
- Keep cool and dry – Store in a pantry, cupboard, or basement instead of hot garage or attic.
- Seal tightly – Use airtight plastic, glass, or metal containers to keep out moisture and oxygen.
- Watch for signs – Check periodically for mold, off-odors, or other unwanted changes.
- Freeze for longer life – Frozen storage prevents virtually all spoilage.
- Refrigerate after opening – Keeping opened foods chilled prevents contamination.
With ideal storage conditions, these famously nonperishable foods can remain fresh and usable for decades past their expiration date. So let your descendants inherit the beans, rice, and honey in your pantry. Chances are they’ll still be perfectly preserved!
Food Safety Tips
While properly stored foods may not spoil or expire, it is still important to practice food safety:
- Discard food packages that are torn or damaged after purchase. This can allow contamination.
- Check for signs of moisture or temperature fluctuations. This can indicate the food may have spoiled.
- Do not eat foods that have developed an unpleasant or moldy odor, flavor, or appearance.
- Stick to food within its recommend shelf life if you have a weakened immune system.
- When in doubt, throw it out. Don’t take risks with potentially spoiled food.
While these nonperishable foods last a very long time, they should still be thrown out if there are any signs of spoilage or questionable changes. Rely on your senses of sight, smell, and taste to determine if food is still fresh enough to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do foods expire and go bad?
Foods expire and spoil due to natural processes like oxidation and microbial growth. Exposure to heat, light, and oxygen degrades nutrients and changes textures and flavors. Bacteria, mold, and yeasts can also grow on foods, particularly if moisture and warmth are present.
Do expired foods become toxic or dangerous?
Most expired foods are not dangerous, just lower quality. However, some molds and bacterial growth in spoiled food can produce toxins that cause illness. Baby food and infant formula should always be consumed by the expiration date.
What is the best way to store food long-term?
For longest shelf life, store in cool, dark places in airtight containers. Refrigeration and freezing prevent most spoilage. Vacuum sealing and packaging with inert gas also helps block oxygen and moisture from reaching food.
Can dried foods be rehydrated and eaten after years of storage?
Most dried foods like beans and rice rehydrate well after years and are safe to eat. But optimal texture and flavor is found when consuming dried goods within a couple years after purchase.
Is crystallized honey safe to eat?
Yes, crystallized honey is completely safe. Simply submerge the container in warm water until the honey returns to liquid form. Crystallization does not affect honey’s shelf life.
The Bottom Line
Certain foods like dried beans, rice, pure sugars, salt, and vinegar can kept for decades without going bad if properly stored. Keeping foods sealed, cool, and dry is key to maximizing shelf life. While even long-lasting foods should eventually be thrown out if they show signs of spoilage, these pantry staples will remain usable and unspoiled for years past their printed expiration date.
