Don't throw away these foods!

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, an estimated 1/3 of all food produced globally is lost or goes to waste (...) and does not re-enter in any other productive utilization, such as feed or seed. (1)

We produce, in fact, enough food for 12 billion people. The hunger is not due to lack of food, but to a non-optimal use of it.

Of course, we all had to throw away some rotten fruits or vegetables. Most of the waste is done at an industrial and massive scale, but we can also waste our money by throwing foods that are still totally good.

In order to protect themselves,  and to garranty the best quality (and maybe to sell more) food companies have the habits to put an expiration date even when it's not necessary. Even when the food will never rot.

Rest assured, we will not be talking about the fast-food burger that does not decay even after months, we will focus here on proper food.

Sometimes, going to a more sustainable lifestyle is also a way to save your money and time. Going to the grocery store just for one of the following ingredients can be unnecessary if we only knew these actually never expire. So next time let's check your pantry for these:

1 - Salt

Salt never expires. In fact, salt is the ancestor of the fridge: as a natural anti-biotic and conservative, salt was the best way to keep meat un-rotten because salt is perfectly effective at dehydrating things, including bacterias. Kept in a dry and cool place, it stays fresh forever. No matter if it's sea-salt, salt crystals or even table salt. The only exeption is ionized salt, which still last five years.

2 - Sugar

Sugar also never goes bad, of course it's better to keep it away from air to avoid it hardening into chunks, and protect it from pest. Glass or plastic can keep the sugar fresh forever.

3 - Extra virgin olive oil

A closed bottle protected from heat and light can last for years. Once opened, it can still last for six months.

4 - White vinegar

Obviously, if pickles are kept in white vinegar it's to keep them fresh. White vinegar is higly acidic, enough to kill bacteria, mold, and mushrooms. That's why you can also use it for cleaning. In a hermetic container and protected from light, white vinegar will never go bad.

5 - Dry white rice

Conserved away from air, dry white rice keep its nutrients several years after expiration date. And once opened, you can still eat it up to six months.

6 - Pasta

Just like rice, pasta can last for years in a dry and airtight place. But fresh pasta should be eaten within a few days.

7 - Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate is still edible even two years after expiration date,  just keep it away from moisture, air and light.

8 - Honey

Honey is a natural antibiotic, with a lot of sugar and almost no water, it will never expire. It can crystallize with time but when warmed it will go back to its original flavor and texture. 9 - Maple syrup

Exactly like honey, maple syrup just never expires.

10 - Coconut oil

Coconut oil can be kept for years in a closed container at ambient temperature.

11 - Spices

Dry spices will last forever, even if they might lose flavor with time, specially when exposed to air and humidity.

12 - Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is known to never go bad, or almost. Even opened, the bottle can be placed in the pantry or in the fridge, and stay good for years, the reason is because soy sauce’s main ingredient is sodium, a bad environment for bacteria.

13 - Instant coffee powder.

Once again, protected from air, moisture and in the fridge, instant coffee can last for a year. Even opened can still last for months, but might lose its aroma.

14 - Red Wine

It's known that good red wine will get even better with years, and if the taste becomes too acidic, you can use it for cooking. Wine should be kept in a cool and dark place. Use it with moderation of course.

15 - Strong Liquors

Strong liquors such as whisky last dozen of years in a cool and dark place, the sugar of liquors might crystallize in a warm place. It should be drank moderately.

Bonus : long conservation food :

- Canned meat and sea-food : can last 2-5 years

- Canned fruits and vegetables, be careful that they don't have too much added sugar