10 Foods That Are Still Good Even After Their Expiration Date

According to a survey carried out by Embrapa, each Brazilian family throws away about 353 grams of food daily, and rice (22%) and beans (16%) are at the forefront of the most discarded foods. — we explain here — can be kept without any worries, indefinitely.

The factors for waste can be many, but it is possible to avoid that the lack of information about the validity is one of them. Above all, because the date printed on the packaging can be nothing more than a mere recommendation from the producers of a given food about how long its quality will be good.

Therefore, the awesome.club listed 10 of the foods that have an extended shelf life, even after the expiration date — and some that don’t even spoil. And knowing this can even help you save. In the end, we still prepared a bonus for you, check it out!

Whether at the movies, for a picnic or even to watch a movie in the comfort of home, popcorn is one of those delicacies that are so delicious, they end up being good for any occasion, right? If you are also a fan of the grain and intend to buy it in large quantities — either for the affordable price, or to avoid having to replenish it frequently — know that its shelf life can be indefinite🇧🇷

That is, of course, provided it is stored like most grains: tightly sealed in a cool, dry area, and in a container that protects them from insects and rodents. However, even if they do not deteriorate with such care, for a better result and a fresher taste, it is recommended to consume them within one year.

Cornstarch is also one of those foods that are on the list of those with indefinite shelf life, even if it has an expiration date. However, some care is needed to keep it good for consumption. It is recommended to keep it in a closed container, kept dry and in a dark place. Thus, it is possible to ensure that it remains fit for use, especially taking into account the fact that we rarely consume an entire package of cornstarch in a short time.

It is common to find in supermarkets and party houses a small bottle of black liquid called “vanilla essence”, commonly used in several recipes. This, therefore, is an artificial product created to “imitate” the true flavor of fava beans, and has an expiry date. Pure vanilla extract, on the other hand, is made from alcohol, and for this reason, it stays fresh for a long time. Undefined and it is also much tastier.

Perhaps there is a considerable difference between the price of both products, however, if you are one of those people who value quality regardless of the elapsed time, do not think twice before opting for the genuine one. A cool and dark place in the pantry is essential for its quality to last for years and years.

Sodium bicarbonate is a chemical compound widely used in cooking for the purpose of making dough for bread, cookies, cakes, etc., rise during baking in the oven. Just like cornstarch, its useful life is mainly linked to the way we store it.

Therefore, to ensure that its quality persists, it is best to leave it in a dry environment, with a stable temperature and away from potential contaminants. Therefore, if possible, use it within a year, when the product is most likely to meet your cooking needs. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will spoil after that period. The estimate is that in a hermetic packaging, its potential quality lasts for 2 to 3 years🇧🇷 This may depend on the quality of the manufacturer.

According to Utah State University, there is no scientific research to support the loss of vitamins in dried grains that are stored for a long time. This is therefore the case of lentils, which are an ideal product for those who want to store food for the long term, as their shelf life lasts about 20 — 30 years. However, this does not necessarily mean that its quality lasts indefinitely; to obtain the best color and flavor of the grains, it is recommended to consume it within 12 months.

Not unlike other foods with the same nutritional properties, lentils should be stored in cool places, away from light, exclusively dry and preferably in airtight containers.

According to USA Todaycanned canned tuna has an extensive shelf life even after its expiry date, somewhere between 3 to 5 years, not recommending its use after this period. However, we must be careful with how we store it, as this will be a key factor with regard to its long-term quality.

If the metal packaging is damaged or there are signs of deterioration, as well as leaks, rust or large and excessive dents, discard it, as under these conditions it will not be safe to use. To make sure you’re preserving it correctly, make sure it’s stored in a cool, dry place.

A Brigham Young University study found that rolled oats can remain almost unchanged in terms of their nutritional value and taste for up to 28 years🇧🇷 The result came about through a sensory analysis carried out by several consumers who also evaluated the aroma, texture and taste of the flakes, reaching the conclusion that the food is one more of those that can be consumed in the long term, this, of course, as long as it has been stored properly. The point is to keep it in dark places and at room temperature.

Unlike other foods, spelled is not very popular in Brazil, although it is already sold here. Its consumption, moreover, is very common in parts of Central Europe and Italy. This rustic grain that has been used since the Bronze Age is a subspecies of common wheat, but unlike it, if stored under ideal conditions, that is, in a dry environment, with a low humidity level and at a stable temperature, it can reach a long life. useful from until 30 years🇧🇷 A great option for emergency cases, isn’t it?

This plant (legume), so famous throughout the national territory, is also one of the foods that can surprisingly have a very long shelf life. Dry peas packaged in plastic bags will have an expiration date of more or less one year, however, this period can be extended to 20 years or moreprovided they are properly stored.

The sealed container with a low oxygen level, in conjunction with the cold and dark places can prevent them from losing their green and yellow colors and gaining a grayish tone, and in the same way, from spoiling.

Is there a dark chocolate sale going on at the supermarket? Taking more than one unit can be a good deal for chocolovers🇧🇷 Although milk chocolate does not have a long shelf life, dark chocolate, on the other hand, can last for a long time. 2 to 5 years without spoiling, as long as it is stored correctly: in an environment that provides a constant temperature.

Furthermore, there is a long debate among scientists about its health benefits. It is known that 100 grams of dark chocolate (with at least 70% cocoa) can contain up to 3,600 micrograms of polyphenols, a substance that prevents the formation of fatty plaques on the inner wall of blood vessels. Not bad, is it?! But it’s worth remembering that this doesn’t mean you should consume the sweet in an unbridled way.

In general, shelf life, which is how long a given product is suitable for sale or consumption, is confusing. There is more than one variation of the date, and it is not always very clear, which can make it even more difficult for the consumer to interpret it. What is called “best by” or “best consumed until…”, for example, indicates that a certain food will be better and fresher until a certain day, but does not mean that it cannot be consumed after the expiry date. Whereas the “sell by”, or “sell by…”, indicates the deadline for the store supplying the product in question to sell it.

However, — as mentioned at the beginning of the post — these predetermined periods are often wrong, that is, they may be mere indications by producers about how long the foods will be better and at a high quality standard, which does not necessarily mean that they present , specifically, a risk to your health, after the period indicated on the packaging. What is worth noting, therefore, is that the annual bill of food waste per family in Brazil is 128 kg. And chances are you don’t want to be part of that statistic, right?! So, now that you know the 10 foods that can be stored for a long period, it is possible to adopt an ethical stance not only within your family, concerning eating practices, but also in relation to the community, sharing this information with your friends and family. . In the end, everyone wins with the decrease in waste. Including your pocket, as the flow of food replacement may decrease.

In addition, it may happen that the product is within the expiration date and, even so, shows signs that it is not good for consumption. The ideal is to always be alert and check not only the expiration date, but also any different odor, appearance, texture change, etc.

Do you use any storage techniques to make your food more durable, even if not indefinitely? Which are they? Share your tips in the comments!