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Spring Cleaning: Shelf life of common pantry items

expiration date/shelf-life

Eggs, milk, even jarred mayonnaise (which we know could probably withstand nuclear fallout) all have expiration dates, but what about the dried goods in your pantry? Some of the things have a "Best when used by" date, but not everything. This list of shelf-lives for common pantry items is taken from a book that my father bought me when he helped me "clean out" my own pantry. I think he was scared.

Baking

  • All purpose flour - 12 months unopened, 6-8 months opened
  • Whole wheat flour - 12 months unopened, 6 months opened (if refrigerated)
  • Granulated sugar - 2 years unopened, 6 months opened
  • Brown sugar - 4 months unopened, 4 month opened (in freezer)
  • Confectioner's sugar - 18 months unopened
  • Solid shortening - 8 months unopened, 3 months opened
  • Cocoa - 2 years unopened, 1 year opened
  • Baking soda - 18 months unopened, 6 months opened
  • Baking powder - 6 months unopened, 3 months opened
  • Cornstarch - 18 months

Spices - more info from ochef on spices, and note that spices last longer than herbs

  • Whole spices - 2-4 years
  • Ground spices - 2-3 years
  • Paprika - 2-3 years (if refrigerated)
  • Cayenne pepper - 2-3 years (if refrigerated)

Canned goods (lower acid foods have a longer shelf life)

  • Tomato products - 1-2 years unopened
  • Fruit juices - 1-2 years unopened
  • Soups - 3-5 years unopened
  • Meats - 2-4 years unopened (Spam, however, I would guess could last a life-time)
  • Gravy - 3-5 years unopened
  • Vegetables - 3-4 years unopened

Other stuff, with more info from the Washington Post

  • Pasta (dried, no eggs) - 2 years unopened, 1 year opened
  • Pasta (dried, with eggs) - 2 years unopened, 1-2 months opened
  • Salad dressings - 1 year unopened, 3 months opened (in refrigerator)
  • Honey - 1 year
  • Ground coffee - 2 years unopened, 2 weeks opened (in refrigerator)
  • Instant coffee - 1 year unopened, 3 months opened (do people really drink instant coffee?!?!)
  • Bottled water - 2 years unopened, 3 months opened
  • Jams and jellies - 1 year unopened, 6 months opened (in refrigerator)
  • Peanut butter - 6-9 months unopened, 2-3 months opened

Of course, these are all suggested shelf-lives. You should always go by the date if there is one printed on the package, and certainly throw anything out if it looks or smells bad.

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We can change the way we make eggs -- scrambled, poached, fried -- but what about changing the eggs themselves? Mix up your scrambling routine with quail eggs.

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