Homes need a safety space to store food. You may have have a small room aside for storage or you can place a shelf in a space that is out of direct sunlight and away from any heating sources.
Tip: Store your goods based on your eating habits. You may also store non-food items such as your favorite cookware, trays, liquor, and pet treats.
The most common goods stored in a pantry are the following:
Flours
Spices/Seasonings
Canned/Bottled Items
Grains
Sweeteners
Hardy Vegetables
Oils/Vinegars
Dried Pasta
FLOURS
Flours should be stored in airtight containers at room temperature. Wheat flours can be stored up to 1 year. Almond and other nut flours should be frozen in a fridge and stored up to 6 months.
SPICES/SEASONINGS
Spices and seasonings will worsen if stored improperly. Keep the spices and seasonings in airtight containers and label each container. Keep them off any type of heat. Do not store TEA near spices. Teas are extremely absorbent and will acquire the spice odors.
CANNED/BOTTLED ITEMS
Canned and Bottled Items can be stored for up to 1 year if unopened. Once opened transfer the items to refrigerate and use within 3-4 days. Pay close attention to canned items with acidic foods for example tomatoes. Once air is exposed to acidic food rust can develop. Be on the lookout for any rust development. If you do see rust, discard the cans.
GRAINS
Grains can be stored up to a year. Do not leave your grains in plastic bags. Transfer them to containers.
SWEETENERS
Sweeteners give you the option to store in their original container or transfer to a seal container. For solid sweeteners store in a cool dry space as HUMIDITY will create lumps.
HARDY VEGETABLES
Hardy vegetables can be stored in a pantry. Vegetables are categorized hardy, half-hardy, and tender.
Hardy is used to classify vegetables that can survive cold freezing temperatures. Store hardy vegetables such as onions, potatoes, and garlic in separate bins. Do NOT store in plastic. Plastic will cause mold.
Prevent your hardy vegetables from spoiling by keeping ONIONS and POTATOES the furthest you can from one another (do the opposite of what the photo is showing).
OILS/VINEGARS
Oils and Vinegars are good to store in their original containers. Oils except nut oils are good for storage up to 6 months. Any nut oil must be refrigerated and be used best within 3 months. Vinegars can be stored up to a year.
DRIED PASTAS
Dried pastas if unopened can remain in storage for up to a year. Once a package is open transfer the pasta to a sealed container.
WINE
Wine should be stored in a cool, dry space if you do not plan to use right away. If you are considering storing them longer than 2 weeks, rest the wine bottles on their sides. Remember the wine will moisten the cork and ensure that the bottle remains airtight sealed.
Food storage matters regardless of the amount of space you have. The importance of storage is more on how you MANAGE IT!
There is a tendency of piling and stacking items however, certain items do not complement space and take up more than needed.
Create a strategy in what items to be stored within your home to make use of alot of unused space.
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