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In the early days of the global pandemic, it was challenging to find groceries. So having a little food stashed away was a source of peace and comfort, knowing that even if the grocery stores closed, we would still have healthy, safe food to eat. Food storage is an important part of being prepared for emergencies.
In this article, we’ll talk about ten foods that will easily last for over ten years. Then, we’ll look at why you should store this food and how to store it safely. Keeping these ten foods on hand will help you get through any food shortage, from snowstorms to global pandemics.
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1. Beans
Beans are a great food to add to your food storage pantry. First, there are a wide variety of dried beans, peas, and lentils that you can store. They are healthy, nutrient-dense, and low-calorie. Beans are an excellent source of protein, which your body needs to keep your muscles healthy. It’s also high in fiber.
Beans are pretty versatile, too. You can cook them, boil them, grind them into flour, mash them into a paste, and eat them in various recipes. They make an excellent base for soups, stews, and other dishes, or you can sprout them. They’re also inexpensive, so you can stock up on beans without breaking the bank.
When properly stored, beans can last nearly indefinitely. For best results, store your beans in mylar bags with oxygen absorbers inside of 5-gallon buckets. Keep the buckets in a cool, dry place. Rotate your beans when you can. Older beans are still edible if they’re dry, but you may need to soak them a little longer than fresher beans.
2. Corn (Dried)
Sweet corn doesn’t store well, but dried field corn can last over 30 years when stored correctly.
Dried corn, field corn, or Dent corn can be used to make a variety of dishes. First, use a heavy-duty grain mill to grind up your dried corn. Then, you can use it to make dishes such as tortillas, grits, cornmeal, polenta, cornbread, and even beer.
If you don’t have a grain mill, don’t worry—cornmeal stores just as long as dried corn. First, you’ll want to store your corn or cornmeal in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. Then, just like beans, put those bags into closed 5-gallon buckets and keep them in a cool, dry place.
3. Hardtack
Hardtack is a simple, easy-to-make biscuit that can last almost forever. It is made from flour, water, and salt. You can find the recipe here.
Hardtack stores well because it is so hard and dry. However, you can’t just bite into it because it could break your teeth! So instead, grind it, soak it, or use it as a base for soups and stews.
Hardtack is associated with the civil war, and rations made then are still edible today. Since it is mostly flour, hardtack will give you survival calories but might leave you feeling hungry. Sailors and soldiers knew hardtack attracted bugs and would eat them for the extra protein.
Store hardtack in a waterproof, moisture-proof container.
4. Honey
Honey is one of the most shelf-stable, naturally sweet foods in existence. This sticky-sweet substance has several health benefits. It contains micronutrients, antioxidants, helps wounds heal, and may help improve allergies and heart health.
The high sugar content of honey means it can last virtually forever, and honey found in ancient Egyptian tombs is still edible today. Proper storage will help your honey taste better, though. Store honey in a sealed container in a dark room at room temperature. If it crystallizes, you can simply heat it in a pot of warm water.
5. Pasta
Pasta is a favorite food in many families. Semolina pasta is the longest-lasting, is inexpensive, is easy to store! Dried pasta has a long shelf life even without special storage, but you can extend it to last even longer.
Store dried pasta in mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, then place those in sealed containers away from moisture and light. This will protect your pasta from spoiling or getting bugs in it.
6. Pemmican
Pemmican is an old recipe created by Native Americans. It’s a way to store meat or fish and is typically made with rendered fat and berries. It is high in calories and protein, making it a nutritious snack. Typically, pemmican is made by dehydrating the meat until it is hard and brittle.
Properly made and stored, it can last up to 50 years! For best results, wrap your pemmican in foil, put it in a plastic bag, and keep it in a dry, dark place at room temperature.
7. Potato Flakes
Potato flakes are a great storage food because of their versatility. Not only do they make great mashed potatoes, but they can also be used in soups, stews, to thicken dishes, to make bread, and to add calories to meals.
You can store potato flakes for 15 to 20 years in a mylar bag with oxygen absorbers. Then, put the bags in a sealed bucket to keep out pests.
8. Rolled Oats
Rolled oats are a healthy addition to any prepper storage plan. Oats are a source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are easy to cook, versatile, and filling as well as inexpensive.
Properly stored oats can last up to 30 years, but don’t get rolled oats confused with instant oats, which have a much shorter shelf-life.
Store oats with oxygen absorbers in an air-tight container. For best results, though, purchase rolled oats prepackaged for long-term storage.
9. Wheat Berries
A wheat berry is the entire wheat kernel. They have a nutty flavor and can be cooked for a chewy, tasty food that is high in calories and nutrients. You can sprout them or grind them in a grain mill to use as flour. But unlike flour, they will last for decades.
When stored correctly, wheat berries can be kept for over 30 years. First, pour wheat berries into mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, then store the bags in sealed plastic buckets in a cool, dry place.
10. White Rice
White rice is a food staple all over the world and is high in nutritional value and calories. It can be made into soups, stews, and other kinds of dishes.
Store white rice in sealed containers with oxygen absorbers. Keep the containers away from heat, light, and moisture and store below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Food storage does not have to be complicated or expensive. The simplest ingredients, such as rolled oats and white rice, last longest, especially when stored in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. Keep your food storage away from moisture, heat, and light for the best results.
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