8 foods that you can safely eat even after their expiration date

Pests in cereals

Insects that settle in cereals make it unsuitable for consumption, as they leave toxic waste from their vital activity in it. The taste of such products changes. In addition, their use can lead a person to severe eating disorders and allergic reactions.

Given these facts, you should organize the storage of your reserves more responsibly. Contaminated cereal remains must be disposed of immediately.

After pests have been found in one of the containers, you should carefully check all the others. Containers containing spoiled products must be thoroughly washed with detergent and scalded with boiling water. It is advisable to wipe the surfaces of the cabinets with a solution of vinegar (1 tbsp per 1 liter of water).

Porridge is an important component of the human diet, containing a large amount of useful substances. But for them to be beneficial, you need to know where and at what temperature, and also what is the best way to store cereals. Be sure to monitor humidity levels and protect food from insects.

What to store cereals in to prevent bugs from getting in

Housewives who do not have experience continue to store cereals in factory packaging, which is a serious mistake. Once the package is opened, various pests infest it. And storing the bulk product in this form becomes inconvenient.

So how to store cereals to prevent bugs from getting in? There are several options:

• In a glass or plastic container with a tight lid. There are a large variety of different jars and containers for storing bulk products on sale. Therefore, everyone can choose a container for cereals based on their needs.
• Plastic containers are quite convenient, practical to use and easy to clean in the dishwasher. Due to their low weight, the load on hanging kitchen cabinets will be small.
• Metal cans are more solid and durable, but they have a drawback: if moisture gets on them, they can rust. Similar stainless steel products are more reliable in this regard, but they also cost much more.
• Glass storage containers are quite convenient and beautiful, easy to clean and reliably protect supplies from moisture and insects. In addition, they have a variety of color and design solutions, which makes them an interior detail.
• Ceramic have the same characteristics , which also reliably protect the cereal from bright light. And which one to choose - everyone decides for himself.
• Cereals can be stored in the kitchen in canvas bags , which allow the products to “breathe”. To prevent insects from infesting them, the fabric is first soaked in a concentrated solution (1:4) of salt, treated with hot steam and dried well.

Storage in bags will be more reliable if you place them in a closed plastic container.

To prevent the cereal from “suffocating” while in a glass container, instead of a plastic lid, you can cover it with a cloth (canvas, linen) in 2-3 layers, and then secure it on the neck with an elastic band.

Butter

If you store butter in the refrigerator, it can be used within five days after the date on the package. But a product stored at room temperature is unlikely to last more than 24 hours.

Storing Boiled Oatmeal

It's so easy to make more oatmeal than you can handle, and you won't want to throw away the leftovers and waste some good oatmeal.

There are some great ways to store cooked oatmeal to enjoy at a later date, and you can even make a big batch to keep for eating throughout the week.

Cooked oatmeal can last up to 5 days if stored properly , and this allows you to eat oatmeal every day of the workweek without having to cook it in the morning.

There are three different ways to store cooked oatmeal, and they all have different storage times:

1. Refrigerating Oatmeal – The refrigerator is the easiest way to store oatmeal, especially if you plan to eat the oatmeal in the next few days. You can portion the oats into individual servings and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
2. Freezing Oatmeal – Using the freezer to store oatmeal is used when you don't plan to eat the oatmeal in the next few days and want to extend the shelf life even further. You can store oatmeal in the freezer for up to 3 months.
3. Dehydrating Oatmeal – If for some reason you don't want to store your oatmeal in the refrigerator or freezer, you can place it in a dehydrator. Once dehydrated, oatmeal can be stored in a cool, dry, dark place for 3 months. An airtight container should be used to ensure optimal quality.

Field kitchen

Condensed milk undergoes special processing, during which microorganisms die. But you shouldn’t expect that this product will be stored for years. The shelf life of condensed milk is 12 months. And only what is in cans, strictly at temperatures from 0°C to +10°C. In cold or hot places, sugar crystals form in the product.

There is no point in purchasing canned fish ten years in advance. 24 months is the maximum shelf life. Cod liver and salmon do not spoil the longest - up to 2.5 years, sprats, sardines - two years. The ideal storage temperature is from 0 to +5˚С. The fact that canned food is spoiled is clearly indicated by the unpleasant smell, flabby consistency of the fish, and wateriness. When buying canned food for future use, pay attention to the packaging: it should not be wrinkled, much less rusty.

Stewed meat in cans can be stored for up to four years, but only if the container is airtight. It is not difficult to make sure that the container does not allow air to pass through. Place the jar in a bucket of water and apply light pressure. If air bubbles appear, the packaging cannot be stored. There should be no traces of rust on the can. Contact with air will oxidize the metal, which will lead to spoilage of the meat.

How to Store Oatmeal Long-Term

How and where you store your dried oatmeal will determine how long it will last. Just a few simple precautions can significantly extend the life of your oatmeal.

Here are the conditions under which dried oatmeal should be stored:

• Cleanliness – It is important to keep the oat container and area clean to prevent pests from spoiling the oatmeal.
• Cool – Temperature control is important to ensure the oatmeal retains its nutrients.
• Light – Oats should be exposed to little light to retain nutrients.
• Dryness – Oatmeal quickly absorbs moisture, which can cause mold growth. Store oats in a dry place.

Once you know how to store oatmeal, you can decide where to store it. Here are the best storage options:

• Pantry - The pantry is a good place to store oats as long as it is well ventilated, dark and cool.
• Refrigerator – The refrigerator is dark, cool and dry, making it the perfect place for dried oatmeal.
• Freezer – You can freeze dried oatmeal to further extend its shelf life, however this is not ideal if you don't have much freezer space.

If stored properly, dried oatmeal can last up to 24 months..

They may eat normally after this, but they will not be of the same quality as before after 24 months. This should be enough time to eat them all!

Can oatmeal go bad?

There is no exact test to determine if oatmeal is off, you will need to rely on your senses to determine if oatmeal is safe to eat.

How to find out what has gone bad

Cereals and their derivatives can deteriorate for two reasons: the shelf life expires, the preservation technology is violated. Depravity is determined by a number of signs:

• musty smell;
• color change;
• mold and mold smell;
• presence of barn pests, larvae;
• web;
• grain gluing;
• sour, bitter taste when cooking.

Important : spoiled cereals cannot be sold or used!

Meat row

Raw smoked sausage prepared according to GOST can wait 120 days at a temperature from +12 to +15˚С. True, this does not apply to slices; they can only be stored in the refrigerator without disturbing the packaging.

Meat can be kept in the freezer for six months. True, there are some subtleties. Before storing the piece, wash it and cut it into portions. You must act in exactly this order. The fact is that when we cut unwashed meat into pieces, we transfer all the dirt to the cut. This leads to contamination of the product with microbes. You cannot put meat in the refrigerator in a large piece, because every time you cut a portion, you will have to completely defrost it. But you can’t do this.

To prevent the stick of raw smoked sausage from becoming too hard over time, it can be greased with vegetable oil.

Useful tips

Experienced housewives share their recommendations for choosing and storing this product:

You can store buckwheat for a long time only if the grain is of high quality. It should not contain pebbles, husks, insects, grains should be approximately equal in size. Buy buckwheat in transparent packages - it’s easier to assess the quality of the product. Keep the grains away from direct sunlight. A small bag of salt will help protect the cereal from excess moisture. Heat-treat the cereal before placing it in a storage container. 8-10 minutes in the pan will be enough

It is important that buckwheat is not overcooked, otherwise it will lose all its beneficial qualities.

To ensure that cooked buckwheat is crumbly, follow the following algorithm:

1. Place the cereal in a saucepan, pour water into it so that it slightly covers the product.
2. Place the container over medium heat and wait until the water begins to boil.
3. Then reduce the heat, add seasonings and salt to the pan. Cook the buckwheat for about 10-15 minutes.
4. Remove the pan and cover it with a thick cloth such as a towel. Leave the dish for 15-30 minutes.

Shelf life of pearl barley

• Shelf life: 2 years
• Shelf life: 2 years
• Shelf life in the refrigerator: not specified
• Freezer life: not specified

Pearl barley is often used to prepare porridges. It is made from barley. This product got its name because the grains are similar to pearls. The word "pearl" is translated as pearl. Pearl barley is most often used to prepare pearl barley porridge.

It turns out that there are several types of pearl barley. Whole grain that has undergone primary processing, that is, removal of the top layer, is pearl barley. Using this product you can prepare porridge or soup. Whole grains that have undergone deep processing are called Dutch. The grain has the shape of a ball and there is no awn on it, which makes the porridge more tender. This type of cereal can be prepared much faster. Finely chopped grains are barley porridge. In ancient times, only the king and his entourage could afford pearl barley porridge. And now this product has become traditional and is always included in the diet of Russian cuisine. The royal porridge was prepared in a special way. First, it was soaked for 12 hours. Then the pearl barley was boiled in milk. Afterwards, the food was simmered in the oven until fully cooked. Next, the porridge for the king was seasoned with cream. In the army, soldiers were also served porridge made from this cereal. But the dish was significantly different from the royal one, and therefore was not appreciated. The porridge was hard and overcooked. Eating pearl barley is very beneficial. Barley can be considered one of the most useful substances. This was confirmed by research by Japanese scientists. The cereal contains everything necessary for the human body. Pearl barley contains important amino acids. Introducing it into your diet will be very useful. The skin will become firmer and smoother, and wrinkles will appear much less. This is due to the fact that the product contains lyazine, which is responsible for the production of collagen. It is useful to know this as well as the expiration date of pearl barley. It is rich in vitamins and microelements. When you eat the product, you can saturate your body with useful substances. Among the vitamins here are the following: A, group B, E, D and PP. In addition, cereals contain useful substances such as bromine, phosphorus, copper, manganese, zinc, cobalt, iodine, strontium, molybdenum and nickel. Pearl barley contains much more fiber than other crops. In terms of quantity and protein, pearl barley is ahead of wheat. It is worth knowing that pearl barley porridge will help get rid of allergies. This information has been confirmed by scientists. Cereals contain antibacterial substances of natural origin. A substance was found in the water in which the product was soaked. This is hordecin. It is used to treat skin and fungal skin diseases. This is useful to know, just like the expiration date of pearl barley.

If you make a decoction from this product, it will have a healing effect. It can be used to treat some ailments. Its action is manifested in a softening, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, enveloping and slight diuretic effect. Barley is beneficial for many health problems. It can cure coughs, colds and breast diseases. It will also help fight obesity and constipation. Lysine, which is contained in pearl barley, is considered to be an amino acid. This substance has an antiviral effect. So if you introduce this product into your diet, you can fight colds, herpes, and also charge your body with strength and help your heart. But it is worth remembering that products usually have positive and negative properties. Pearl barley should not be eaten by pregnant women. This is due to the fact that it contains gluten. It may be harmful to the child. Pearl barley porridge may cause gas, so some people should use it with caution. Especially for those who have problems with constipation and gastrointestinal diseases. This is worth knowing, as is the expiration date of pearl barley.

This product is widely used in cooking. Pearl barley, which has been prepared using the primary processing method, is excellent for crumbly porridges and slimy soups. According to nutritionists, dishes prepared from this product are best eaten hot. This is due to the fact that when cold they will taste worse and be harder to digest. This cereal is ideal for dietary nutrition. When it boils, it produces protein-starch mucus. Such a dish will not stimulate gastric secretion. This is an important quality for dietary nutrition. For peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, you should eat boiled pearl barley. This food is also suitable for nutrition for problems with pancreatitis and chronic colitis. To activate intestinal motor activity, crumbly porridge made from pearl barley is more suitable. This dish is prepared in a special way. It is necessary to thoroughly rinse the cereal in advance. Thus, the dark gray coating is washed off. The product is then soaked in water overnight. This way the cereal will cook much faster. There are various recipes for soaking this product. To make the porridge tender, you can soak the cereal in yogurt. Barley is soaked for 10 to 12 hours. Cereals and liquid go in the ratio of 1 glass per liter. When pearl barley is soaked, it is recommended to boil it in warm milk. It should be preheated to 40 degrees in advance. Some housewives simply use heated water. When the moment of boiling of the porridge comes, you need to continue cooking it in a water bath, and not on the stove. This is worth remembering, like the expiration date of pearl barley. The process takes about 6 hours. When the dish is ready, you can season it. Here you can already choose to your taste. The dressing can be full-fat milk, butter and cream. Also, many people like to add onion and mushroom frying to porridge.

The introduction of pearl barley into the diet is very beneficial for the human body. Dishes made from this product not only taste good, but help improve your health. Since barley contains fiber, it is possible to cleanse the body of harmful substances. If you eat pearl barley porridge, toxins and waste will begin to come out. The dish is good for your figure, as the substances contained in it prevent the accumulation of fatty tissue. The shelf life of pearl barley should not exceed 2 years. This applies to whole grain products. Pearl barley of the ground and crushed variety can be stored for 2-3 months, no more. You should choose a dry and cool place for the product. It should be dark. Cereals are best stored in a container. From time to time it needs to be checked and sorted to see if there are any bugs in it. If pests appear, then it is better not to use the product.

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How to choose

Before purchasing the cereal, you should carefully inspect it. Make sure it was in proper conditions on the store shelf. Check the humidity level and the tightness of closed packages.

The presence of lumps or dark spots among the grains, and even more so among various insects, indicates the low quality of the product. It is not worth buying such products. But this can only be seen if the product is packaged in a transparent bag . If the packaging is made of paper or cardboard, there is nothing else left to do but check the release date of the product and its expiration date. It’s good if the cereal is not older than 2 - 4 months.

Product packaging rules

Product packaging is carried out in 2 stages:

• first, sorting into consumer packaging takes place;
• then to the transport room.

The net weight of cereals in consumer containers must meet the requirements presented in clause 1.1. GOST, namely:

• flour is packaged in packs of 1, 2 or 3 kilograms;
• oatmeal - in packs of 250, 300, 350 grams and so on, in increments of 50 grams, but not more than 1 kilogram;
• other types of products are packaged in packs from 400 to 1000 grams, in increments of 25 grams.

Packaging can be made from:

• single paper bag according to GOST 13502-86;
• paper or cardboard pack with an inner bag;
• package made using heat-sealable materials.

Next, packaging occurs in transport containers or in:

• cardboard boxes;
• plank boxes;
• plywood boxes.

In this case, the net weight of cereals packaged in this way should not exceed 15 kilograms. Simply put, you cannot put more than 15 kilogram packets of flour in one cardboard box.

Download for viewing and printing:

GOST 13502-86 “Paper bags for bulk products. Technical specifications"

Timing and types

Grains are divided into three types: whole, crushed, compressed. The same cereal crops can produce several types. Cereals made from whole grains (kernels) are stored for about a year, crushed ones (chipped) - up to six months, and flakes (compressed) - no more than 4 months. The timing depends on the conditions of detention.

Important: when storing a product not in the purchased packaging, do not forget to put a note in the container indicating its expiration date!

Pleasant trifles

Tea and coffee can be stored for one to three years. To extend the shelf life of your coffee, buy it as beans and keep it in an airtight container. If you bought ground coffee, remember that it can be stored for no more than 18 months; it is advisable to pour the powder into a special bag with a valve.

Honey can sit on a shelf for several years. But its taste changes with age. As for the beneficial properties, they do not last forever; vitamins and microelements in a product packaged in a sealed glass container last no more than a year, in an unsealed jar - up to eight months. By the way, honey doesn't like heat. At storage temperatures above +20˚С, the antimicrobial properties of the product disappear.

Dark chocolate can be kept in reserve for no more than 10 months. Raisins and nuts added to the bar reduce the shelf life to three months. It makes no sense to buy white chocolate for future use; it is the richest, and therefore spoils within a month. Do not put filled chocolates on shelves. After just two weeks, their taste changes. Please note that chocolate cannot be kept in the refrigerator. Under such conditions, a white coating appears on its surface. The optimal storage temperature is from +16 to +20˚С.

If a chocolate bar is covered with a white coating, do not rush to throw it away. You can use the sweetness as a base for cake cream.