Thursday Thirteen #960

Today we have a list of foods that never go bad if properly stored. In short, keep moisture, air, heat, and pests away and you can keep these babies in your pantry forever. We all might want to stock up on honey and dried beans. The way things are going, that might be what gets us all through the winter!

1. Salt - A mineral with no moisture, so microbes can’t grow. 

2. Sugar - Low water activity keeps it stable indefinitely. 

3. White Rice - Milling removes oils that cause rancidity; lasts decades when sealed. 

4. Dried Beans - Extremely low moisture; safe for years (older beans just cook slower). 

5. Lentils - Same principle as beans; long-term shelf stability. 

6. Popcorn Kernels - Low moisture and protective hull keep them viable indefinitely. 

7. Soy Sauce - Fermented, salty, and acidic; lasts for years unopened. 

8. Worcestershire Sauce - Another fermented condiment with long-term stability. 

9. White Vinegar - High acidity prevents microbial growth. 

10. Maple Syrup (Pure, Unopened) - Low water + high sugar content. 

11. Distilled Liquor (40% ABV+) - Alcohol content prevents spoilage. 

12. Cornstarch - Dry starch with no protein or fat to degrade. 

13. Canned Low‑Acid Foods - Safe indefinitely if the can remains intact. 

Bonus: Honey

Honey - Low moisture, natural acidity, and antimicrobial compounds let it last for centuries. Archaeologists have found edible honey in ancient tombs. 

Sources

Tatler Asia: Foods with no expiration date (white rice, honey, sugar) 

AOL: 10 Foods That Never Expire (honey, salt, sugar, white rice, dried beans, vinegar) 

SavingAdvice: Foods that never expire (honey, rice, salt, sugar, beans, lentils, popcorn, canned goods, soy sauce, Worcestershire) 

FoodEzy: Foods that don’t expire (salt, sugar, honey, white rice, dried beans, vinegar, maple syrup, soy sauce, distilled spirits, cornstarch) 

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 960th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.