Forever Young

     For the past 2 weeks I have been highlighting different foods mentioned in the book 100 Foods to Stay Young.  It's been an interesting culinary walk discovering the ways certain types of fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy, grains, herbs and seeds can keep us youthful.

     But have you ever considered that there are some foods that never age?  It's true!  There actually are some items that do not have an expiration date.  Here are some that fit into that category according to the website HellaWella:

100% Pure Maple Syrup- As long as it is 100% pure, maple syrup will probably outlive the buyer if it is stored in the freezer.  The best way to store it if unopened is in a dry, cool area, like the pantry.  If opened, put it in the fridge.  But if you do see a little spot of mold forming, the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association recommends boiling it, skimming the top and pouring it into a new, clean container.

Cornstarch-This sauce thickening staple will last indefinitely as long as it's not exposed to moisture.  It's best to store it in a cool, dry place.



Vinegar-Because of its acid nature, vinegar is self-preserving and does not need refrigeration.  White distilled vinegar will remain virtually unchanged over an extended period of time.  It is best to store it in a cool, dark place.

Honey-Honey literally lasts forever, as long as it's stored correctly.  Keep it in a tightly sealed jar in a cool, possibly dark place (not the fridge as that accelerates crystallization).

Pure Vanilla Extract-Thanks to its alcohol base, vanilla extract has no expiration date. If it's stored properly, the only change you may notice is a slightly stronger flavor.  It should be stored in a tightly sealed bottle in a cool, dark place.

Rice-Well maybe rice doesn't last forever like some of the others mentioned above, but it can last 8 to 10 years, and up to 30 years if kept in a sealed oxygen free container at 40F or below.  Rice should be kept in the pantry or other cool, dark place without temperature fluctuations.

Salt-Standard table salt won't expire, but it might not last as long if it has added ingredients like iodine.  Iodized salt has roughly a 5 year shelf life.  Store it away from heat or direct sunlight in a closed box in a dry place.

Soy Sauce-We all know that soy sauce is high in sodium.  That's what keeps it from getting stale.  All that salt makes it nearly impossible for any microorganisms to develop.  The taste, however, may deteriorate over time.  It can be safely kept unopened in a cool, dry place.  If opened, put it in the pantry, or refrigerator if you don't plan to use it all in a couple of months.

Sugar-Unless bugs have infested it, any kind of sugar (granulated, brown, powdered, or confectionery) can be stored in the pantry without fear of spoilage.  However, keep away from sources of extreme temperature, which would also include the refrigerator.