Most of the items or foods we use in our daily lives have a “shelf life.” This is particularly important when it comes to food and ingredients, as shelf life can directly affect the quality of food and human health.
However, in reality, there are a few types of food that are advised to have no expiration concerns; the longer they are stored, the better their quality and value become. Therefore, consumers need not worry too much about stockpiling these items in their kitchens.
1. Pure Honey
The first item on the list of foods that do not expire is pure honey. The reason for this is that pure honey has a moisture content close to zero, meaning that bacteria cannot survive or thrive in honey. This has also been confirmed by a study conducted by the University of California.
Pure honey is always mentioned first in the list of items with no expiration date. (Illustrative image).
Therefore, if your family has jars or bottles of pure honey, there is no need to worry about how long it will take to use them up. As long as they are stored properly in sealed glass or quality plastic containers, away from high heat, they will not spoil. It is crucial not to store honey in wooden containers.
However, this only applies to pure honey. Blended honey, which has been mixed with other substances, will have a reduced shelf life.
2. Vinegar
Not only is vinegar a seasoning that enhances the flavor of dishes, but it is also considered an effective and safe cleaning solution for removing stains. Vinegar can whiten, eliminate mold, and deodorize various items or even clothing due to its acidic content.
Thanks to its acidity, vinegar can self-preserve at room temperature, requiring no refrigeration, while boasting an exceptionally long shelf life.
Vinegar is also considered to have no expiration date and has many uses in daily life. (Illustrative image)
3. Salt and Sugar
Salt and sugar are two common kitchen staples that virtually have no expiration date, allowing users to store them long-term. First, regarding salt, it is essentially a mineral rather than a food product. Therefore, pure forms of salt never expire.
However, the table salt we commonly use today often contains additives. Nonetheless, because salt can naturally absorb moisture from the air, it rarely spoils.
Similarly, sugar has a long shelf life, and users need not worry about its expiration. Even if sugar clumps together, its quality remains unchanged.
Salt and sugar are two kitchen ingredients that, when stored properly, do not require concern over expiration dates. (Illustrative image).
Salt and sugar should only be discarded if they change color, develop unusual smells or tastes, or are invaded by pests.
4. Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh tea is a type of tea made from black tea that undergoes a fermentation process that encourages the growth of beneficial microorganisms. While most teas have an expiration date, pu-erh tea is an exception; it actually improves in flavor over time. Anyone who enjoys pu-erh tea knows that its taste in one year differs from that of pu-erh tea aged for three years. The flavor of three-year-old pu-erh is superior and is priced higher than that of newer teas.
Pu-erh tea is an exception among teas, having no expiration date. (Illustrative image)
5. Dried Tangerine Peel
The fifth item mentioned by Aboluowang is dried tangerine peel, known in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Simply put, it refers to dried orange and tangerine peels that have been processed to remove impurities. Dried tangerine peel typically has a fragrant aroma, a slightly bitter taste, and is warm in nature. In addition to being used as an ingredient in herbal medicine, it is often used in soups, chicken stews, or other nutritious dishes.
Because it has been dried and all moisture has been eliminated, dried tangerine peel cannot spoil and can be considered to have no expiration date, allowing for indefinite storage. Experts believe that the longer dried tangerine peel is stored, the more valuable it becomes, even being likened to a remedy “more precious than gold.”
Dried tangerine peel has many benefits in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is considered “as precious as gold” the longer it is stored. (Illustrative image).
The electronic newspaper Health & Life also advises that families can create and store dried tangerine peel at home. The process is quite simple:
- After eating tangerines, cut the peels into 3-4 pieces close to the stem and thread the peels onto a string.
- Dry the peels in a well-ventilated area or lightly dehydrate them. Avoid hanging them over the stove as this may cause the peels to lose their essential oils and become dirty.
- Properly dried tangerine peel should be yellow or reddish-brown, wrinkled, and have small circular indentations.
- Finally, store the dried tangerine peel in a dry environment, away from direct sunlight.
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