Time to reach in the back of the cupboard to see what stays and what goes.
We all want a well-stocked pantry.
But that can sometimes mean that you've had some ingredients for a while — too long, even. Maybe you bought all those canned vegetables at the grocery store when they were on sale, but how long will they actually last? Here are 10 pantry items that have real expiration dates.
James Ransom / Via food52.com
Dried pasta: Up to 2 years.
Pasta is a staple of every pantry, and when stored properly, some say it can last indefinitely. However, for the best quality, the USDA and most sources recommend keeping pasta no more than two years. Store it in an airtight container (the sealed box is also fine) in a cool, dry place, as the pasta is affected by extreme temperatures and humidity. You should also toss expired dried pasta if the noodles appear blotchy or discolored.
Whole-grain rice: Up to 6 months.
Whole-grain rice and milled rice have very different shelf lives. Whole-grain (brown, red, or black) rice deteriorates faster than milled rice (white, parboiled or pre-cooked) because of the oils in its natural bran layer. When stored in an airtight container, whole-grain rice has a shelf life of 6 months. To make it last longer, stash it in the refrigerator or freezer. On the other hand, if stored properly, milled rice (white, parboiled or pre-cooked) will keep almost indefinitely on the pantry shelf.
White and whole-grain flours: 6 to 9 months, and up to 3 months, respectively.
Like rice, whole-grain flour doesn’t last as long as white flour because the oils from the germ and bran become rancid with age. However, neither last forever. Whole-grain flour will keep for about 3 months and white flour will keep for 6 to 9 months. For the best shelf life, store flour in an airtight container in a cupboard or dry, cool area.
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