For survival of life, you need food as fuel. During catastrophic times, you need stored food to live. If you have stored food, now you can face a difficult situation. No one knows when a disaster will strike.
So you should be prepared to deal with every situation. You should be careful when shopping for survival food because this is not easy. Before choosing the food items for your pantry you should do some research.
The important thing you should look for is long shelf life, nutrition, and calories. If you are looking for the food items that should be added to your pantry then you are reading the right article. Following are the 20 nutrient-rich foods that should be added to your pantry in emergencies.
1- BEANS
Beans are a rich source of fiber, protein, and minerals that’s why you must add them to your diet. There are different varieties of beans like kidney, Black, Navy, Lima, and Pinto beans. Beans are among the food items that can be stored for up to 30 years.
Beans are more nutritious than rice so you must store this highly nutrient-rich food in your pantry. If you want to extend the shelf life of dry beans then you must be careful about the storage conditions.
You must use airtight containers or mylar bags and place them in a cool and dry place. If you add oxygen absorbers then your dry beans easily last up to 10 + years. One thing, I want to tell you is that after 3 years the stored dry beans start losing nutrients.
2- RICE
The second item that is included in our list is rice. It is a very versatile food item that should be added to your pantry. There are different varieties of rice available such as Brown, white, and basmati.
You must use an air-tight container for storing rice. Place this container in a cool and dry location to extend its shelf life. As time passes then dry ice can get moldy but if you use high-quality containers then your rice will be safe from moisture and pests.
You should also use oxygen absorbers so they will create a layer of protection to keep your rice safe from deteriorating. You should also care about the exposure to heat because this causes the rice to sweat. The suitable temperature for storing rice must be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
3- LENTILS
You can store lentils for up to 30 years. This is an excellent food for your pantry. You will get a constant food supply in an emergency scenario if you store your food items properly.
You must use 5-gallon buckets for storing lanterns in your pantry. Exposure to air is the main reason for discoloration and mold on the surface of lentils.
4- DRIED FRUITS
Dry fruits are full of nutrition and you can store them for years. A cold environment is best for storing dry fruits. When you remove moisture from the fruits then they will become hydrated and you can store them for a long time.
Dry fruits are good healthy snacks as they are full of fiber, nutrients, and antioxidants. You can use refrigerators and freezers for this purpose because they create an excellent storage environment. Make sure you are using moisture-proof containers for storing dried fruits.
5- NUTS
When storing nuts for the long term, you must be careful about high temperatures, and exposure to air and light. All these factors are not good for the fats and nutrients of the nuts.
Temperature plays a significant role as it increases or decreases the shelf life of nuts. You can store nuts in the refrigerator for 1 year and in the freezer for 3 years. You should be surprised to know that unshelled nuts last longer than shelled nuts.
6- SUGAR
Sugar is the main part of many dishes. You need sugar for baking and sweetening your tea and coffee. Our festival is not complete without sweet treats. You must use an airtight container for storing sugar to keep it away from moisture.
Place your container in a cool dark place. There is no need of using an oxygen absorber because it doesn’t support microbial growth. The best thing about sugar is that it can easily retain its flavor even if you store it for a long time.
7- SALT
Salt must be added to our diet because it is very essential for the healthier growth of our body. You only need a small amount of salt in your diet.
Salt helps to maintain flirt balance and the function of muscles. Salt is very important because it acts as a food preserver. This mineral can absorb moisture from the food you want to store for the long term.
It has the property to stop microbes in the food and extend the shelf life of many food items. Salt is the main ingredient of many dishes. The addition of salt boosts the flavor of your meal.
You can use mason jars for storing salt in your pantry. Alto salt is a mineral and it doesn’t go bad but you must be careful and store it correctly otherwise an unsuitable environment can ruin the flavor of salt.
8- HONEY
An airtight container is perfect for storing honey. Plastic containers or mason jars are also a good option if they have a tight seal so that moisture and humidity can’t enter inside.
A dark place is a perfect location for keeping honey for the long term. If you store honey in a refrigerator then the low temperature can lead to crystallization. But the crunchy texture of honey is not liked by many people.
9- COFFEE
It is believed that coffee cannot be stored for a long time. Coffee beans have natural oils if they are exposed to air then the beans eventually go rancid. Light, heat, moisture, and oxygen are not good for storing coffee beans for a long time. For storing coffee for years you must freeze it.
When you want to use frozen coffee then remove it from the freezer and let them get to room temperature before opening the jar in which you kept it. If you open it after removing it from the freezer then coffee beans absorb humidity and start to go bad which is not good.
Keep Reading:
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10- TEA
If you store tea properly then you can use it for years to come. You can use airtight tin, stainless steel, or ceramic jars for storing tea. Light, heat, and oxygen are not good for storing tea for years so you must place your jars or containers in a cool and dark place.
It will help to retain the freshness of the tea. A closed cupboard is a perfect place because tea stays away from light. Tea has the property to absorb odors from its surroundings so you must not store tea near food items such as spices, herbs, and coffee.
11- DRY MILK AND POWDERED MILK
If you are planning to store powdered milk for 15 years then you must use mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. If you are storing branded powder milk then it will be in metal pouches that keep the powdered milk fresh.
It will also help to block the light and keep moisture away from the milk. The branded milk can be stored for up to 2 years. Low temperatures also increase the shelf life of powdered milk.
12- OATS
If you are looking for a food item that is filled with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants then you must choose oats for your pantry. You can use airtight glass or plastic containers and place them in a cool dark area.
The other options are vacuum-sealed containers, canning, mylar bags, and food-grade buckets. Several factors can affect the shelf life of oats. when you are storing a course for a long time then you must be careful about the storage method and the quality of oats.
13- PASTA
A storage room or pantry is the best location for storing pasta for 10 years. You must use airtight containers because they protect the pasta from air, light, moisture, and pests.
Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers are a good option. When you are feeling mylar bags with pasta then make sure to press out as much air as possible. After that, seal the bags properly to protect them from heat and air exposure.
14- COCONUT OIL
For storing coconut oil for a long time you must protect it from sunlight heat and oxygen. Exposure to these things can affect the shelf life of coconut oil.
It is better to keep your coconut oil in a fridge because it will limit exposure to heat and direct sunlight. In case you are living in a hot climate then the fridge is the best option for keeping coconut oil.
When you store coconut oil at 80° Fahrenheit then it will reduce the risk of rancidity. It is better to use a dark glass jar for long-term storage. A dark glass container helps to keep the oil cooler and prevent it from light.
15- VINEGAR
The acidic nature of vinegar makes it self-preserving so you can easily keep it for a long time. But you should care about storing it because if you provide a poor storing environment to vinegar then the quality will decline. The vinegar must be stored in an airtight container so it will not expose to air and sunlight.
16- FLOUR
In Asian countries, a meal is not completed without flour. It means it is the main part of your pantry. If you want to store flour for years, you need mylar bags with oxygen absorbers.
White flour or whole wheat flour both can be stored for approximately 10 years in this way. Because flour is safe from air, light, moisture, and oxygen even the best can’t hatch eggs.
17- POTATO FLAKES
Potato flakes are emergency food that is very cheap and easy to prepare. There is no need to cook potato flakes; you just pour water over them and eat them in case of a power outage or emergency.
For storing potato flakes for a long time, you should protect them from moisture because moisture encourages microbial growth. You need airtight containers or mylar bags for long-term storage.
When potato flakes are protected from oxidation and moisture they can store for up to 30 years.
Keep Reading:
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- How To Keep Fruit Fresh In Mason Jars?
- How Much Food Can You Grow In One Acre?
18- HARDTACK
This is a hard biscuit that can be eaten by soaking it in a liquid. Hardtack is one of the long-term storage foods that can last up to 25 years.
It is a perfect emergency survival food that should be added to your pantry. You must keep heart attacks in air-tight bags with an oxygen absorber.
19- MAPLE SYRUP
This is a natural sweetener and adds sweetness to many dishes such as pane cakes and sauces. Warmth, sunlight, air, and moisture can encourage the growth of microbes in the maple syrup so you should place the glass bottle of this syrup in a cool and dark place.
This will reduce the chance of contamination. The freezer is also another great place for extending the shelf life of maple syrup.
20- PROTEIN BARS
Protein bars are trendy among dieters, preppers, and athletes. Protein bars are a rich source of protein and carbohydrates that you need. In a catastrophic situation, you can easily eat these protein bars, but you don’t have time to prepare the meal.
When you are selecting protein Bars for storing then you must be careful about the serving size.