Top 10 Longest Lasting Foods

No one can predict what might happen in the future, and as a result, all that we can do to be ready for it is to be prepared for every eventuality.

That is why it is so important that we keep an emergency supply of food in our homes, and enough for each person who lives in our household.

Such preparedness can soon turn to disaster however if, when the time comes to finally use it, all of your food has spoiled or expired. So to help you out, here are 10 foods with the longest shelf lives.

Honey

Honey is the king of long-lasting foods. It has been found in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs after thousands of years, and if you keep it in your food storage it can make an excellent substitute for sugar or even just a tasty treat!

Salt

It may technically be a mineral rather than a food, but if it is kept safe from contamination, salt will last forever. It can also be used as a preservative for other foods.

Vinegar

Another well-known preservative, vinegar will not only last for a long time, but it can be used to preserve things such as vegetables, which usually spoil relatively quickly. Make sure you keep it in glass for long term storage.

Sugar

Sugar doesn’t usually keep quite as well as honey, but if it is stored correctly, it most certainly will keep for some years. Keep it in a cool, dry place, away from pests, and it will rarely go bad.

Peanut Butter

If you are looking for an easy store-bought product that will last, peanut butter is an excellent choice. Officially it will be good for up to two years, but you may find that it lasts much longer than that.

Canned Foods

The point of canned foods is that they will last much longer than fresh produce. For another convenient, supermarket option, make use of the canned food aisle. Chili, in particular, will last a long time.

Powdered Milk

Milk is essential, but only lasts a couple of days at the most. If you buy the powdered milk that comes in a airtight, sealed metal container, you will find that it lasts for an incredible amount of time. This will be a relief to those of us who rely on the stuff!

Rice

Rice is another one that requires proper storage, but if stored correctly it can last as least a few years.

Wheat and Oats

Collect some wheat and oats and store them in airtight containers, in a dark, cool place. This will preserve them and provide you with some staples from which you can make plenty of different recipes when you are in a bind.

Dehydrated Food

It is usually the water content that ages food quickly, so any dehydrated food is bound to last much longer than fresh produce. These foods will last for decades, and we’re talking for fruits, vegetables, canned dehydrated food, and even freeze-dried meals.

Lee Flynn is a writer, food prepper and all-around food storage expert.


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9 thoughts on “Top 10 Longest Lasting Foods”

  1. Good list but probably best appreciated for those new to prepping. Maybe theres a way to categorize inf. Beginners, intermediate and advanced levels of prepping-
    or am I being unrealistic.Thanks.Arlene

    Reply
  2. Hello John, been enjoying your site for a long time. Have to tell you the new site is a major improvement. Was nice to see a list of long term food storage, but was surprised that storing it in Mylar/buckets was not mentioned. Doing that will greatly extend it’s storage life. Keep up the good work. Thanks Steve

    Reply
  3. how a beans That on by list and Tea /coffee Also Raise Tell how long to keep Canned food Because were I work part time this cook throw out can food pass the date and it still good by the cases how about dent cans

    Reply
  4. Edward- We prepared for Y2k and used some of the cans many years later -way after they expired -and they were fine. Be careful of dented cans and check them inside after you open them. Use dented cans first.
    We also used crackers that were over 5 years old. We had stored them in a plastic bag inside of a metal trash can. By law the cook probably has to discard
    the outdated cans. Arlene

    Reply
  5. Hey Edward ! If you want to be able to store other foods I suggest investing in a Food Dehydrator, A Food Grade Vacumum sealing Machine, & If your going for refrigerated or Frozen foods I would suggest looking into Solar, Wind, & Micro Hydro-Electric Generating devices with a battery bank for long term Energy storage, just make sure you have a Professional do the sizing & calculations for you ! as there are over 8 differant vairables to be considered when sizing SOLAR & 5 when sizing Wind Generating devices, & then if you add a Batery Bank you need at least 2 more calculations per each type of device (Solar & Wind). So seek out a certified N.A.B.C.E.P. Solar or Wind person.
    ( North American Board of Certified Energy Practioners )= N.A.B.C.E.P. !

    Signed THE SOLAR DRUID !

    Reply
  6. Might want to think on things that could be bartered with, too. You may not drink coffee or tea but should the SHTF and these things get scarce, I almost bet you could trade for something with either of them. If you’re of a mind for instance when a bit flush with cash and you come across a close out item or a twofer load up and stick where you forget about it.

    I am beginning to become of the mind that tucked away, generally unused space should be filled with something, even if it is something you don’t use.

    Reply

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