Three foods that last forever – “Still consumable after 3,000 years”
Created: 07/07/2022, 05:10
By: Jason Blaschke
Some everyday products from Kaufland, Lidl and Co. go bad quickly.
But there are also some that can easily stand in the closet for years.
Stuttgart – Many people in Germany are currently dealing with the topic of food, but not with regard to storage and shelf life, but rather in terms of availability and prices.
A few days ago, it became known that after oil and co., the next product that can be found in almost every kitchen is becoming scarce.
However, the reason for this is not the raging war in Ukraine, but rather a logistics problem.
Foods that are almost indestructible - even below room temperature
But not only food is affected by bottlenecks.
A few weeks ago, consumers received the message that tobacco products were also threatened with a bottleneck, as an important packaging factory in Ukraine was destroyed in fighting (more consumer news on
BW24
).
The verb to destroy also fits well with the subject of this article.
Because in fact there are groceries at Kaufland, Lidl and Co. that are almost indestructible, as
BW24
reports.
This can be interesting, especially with a view to a 10-day emergency supply.
At least in small apartments, it often starts with the fact that there is no space in the freezer and refrigerator for large storage items.
Products that can be stored well and do not have to be refrigerated or frozen are advantageous here.
These products include rice - a real survivor, as a report by
Vital.de
shows.
Rice is a popular food (symbol image) in the pantry - also because it has a long shelf life.
© agefotostock/Imago
Sweet everyday product that lasts for centuries - proven
"It doesn't matter whether it's basmati rice, wild rice, jasmine rice or rice pudding - almost all types of rice keep forever," writes the portal.
The exception is brown rice, which spoils faster than other types of rice due to its fat content.
Basically, rice should be kept dry and preferably in an airtight container.
It can then be stored in the cupboard for a long time without any problems.
A really practical food that can also be combined with many dishes.
A sweet food that was also affected by shortages at the beginning of the fighting in Ukraine is no less handy: honey.
If stored properly, it can last for centuries.
According to
Vital.de
, researchers have already found honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that was "still consumable after 3,000 years".
The secret of this eternal honey shelf life is found in the beehive.
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3,000 year old honey still good - thanks to special active ingredients
The bees produce active ingredients that inhibit the growth of germs in the hive.
The substances known as "inhibins" are also found in honey and are the key to long shelf life.
This is another reason why honey is said to have healing properties in connection with influenza infections.
Some dietary supplements such as propolis or royal jelly can be found in drugstores, but their effectiveness has not been clinically proven.
But the fact is that honey - as long as it is stored in the dark and is not contaminated - can be kept forever as a foodstuff.
However, foreign objects such as bread crumbs or butter residue should not be in the glass.
According to
Vital.de
, honey can darken over time and lose its aroma and typical sweet taste, but it can still be consumed even when it has crystallized.
Honey bees (symbolic image) produce special substances to protect their home from germs – honey owes its durability to these substances.
©Panthermedia/Imago
Healthy and filling: legumes can be used for 30 years without any problems
If you prefer something savory instead, you can use legumes in addition to rice, which are the third foodstuff among those that last forever.
Dried beans, lentils or peas can be stored in a cool place away from light for up to 30 years or even longer.
The legumes owe their long shelf life to their ability to do without water.
And where it's dry, germs don't feel comfortable, as we all know.
Legumes can therefore be used in the kitchen long after their best-before date without hesitation.
But as a consumer, you should note that the long shelf life only applies to legumes with their skins on - peeled legumes only last about six months, reports
Vital.de
.
Incidentally, legumes are considered very healthy because of the fiber they contain.
They are also very filling and can be used in many ways in the kitchen.
