STAPLES
STORAGE GUIDELINES
| Staples |
Storage
Time at 70°F (21°C) |
HANDLING
HINTS |
| Baking powder |
18 months or
expiration date on can |
Keep dry and
covered. |
| Baking soda |
2 years |
Keep dry and
covered. |
| Bouillon cubes
or granules |
2 years |
Keep dry and
covered. |
| Bread crumbs,
dried |
6 months |
Keep dry and
covered. |
| Cereals
ready-to-eat (unopened) |
6-12 months* |
Refold package
liner tightly after opening. |
| ready-to-eat
(opened) |
2-3 months |
Keep cool. |
| cooked |
6 months |
|
| Chocolate,
pre-melted semi-sweet |
12 months2 years |
Keep cool. Keep
cool. |
| unsweetened |
18 months |
Keep cool. |
| Chocolate syrup
unopened
opened |
2 years* |
Cover tightly.
Refrigerate after opening. |
| Cocoa mixes |
8 months |
Cover tightly. |
| Coffee cans
(unopened) |
2 years* |
Refrigerate
after opening: Keep tightly closed. |
| cans (opened) |
2 weeks |
Use dry
measuring spoon. |
| instant
(unopened) |
1-2 years |
|
| instant (opened) |
2 weeks |
|
| Cornmeal |
12 months |
Keep tightly
closed. |
| Cornstarch |
18 months |
Keep tightly
closed. |
| Flour white |
6-8 months |
Keep in airtight
container. |
| whole wheat |
6-8 months |
Keep
refrigerated. Store in airtight container. |
| Gelatin, all
types |
18 months |
Keep in original
container. |
| Grits |
12 months |
Store in
airtight container. |
| Honey |
12 months |
Cover tightly.
If it crystallizes, warm jar in pan of hot water. |
| Jellies and jams |
12 months |
Cover tightly.
Storage life is lengthened if refrigerated after opening. Surface
mold can be removed and produce used. |
| Molasses
unopened |
12 months* |
Keep tightly
closed. Refrigerate to extend storage life. Remove any light
surface mold and use. |
| opened |
6 months |
|
| Marshmallow
creme (unopened) |
3-4 months |
Cover tightly.
Refrigerate after opening to extend storage life. Serve at room
temperature. |
| Marshmallows |
2-3 months |
Keep in airtight
container. |
| Mayonnaise
(unopened) |
2 months |
Refrigerate
after opening. |
| Milk condensed
or evaporated (unopened) |
12 months |
Invert cans
every 2 months. |
| nonfat dry |
6 months* |
Put in airtight
container. |
| unopened |
3 months |
|
| opened |
|
|
| Pasta
(spaghetti, macaroni) |
2 years |
Once opened,
store in airtight container. |
| Pectin, liquid
(opened) |
1 month |
Re-cap and
refrigerate. |
| Rice white |
2 years* |
Keep tightly
closed. |
| flavored or herb |
6 months |
|
| Salad dressings
bottled (unopened) |
10-12 months |
Refrigerate
after opening. |
| bottled (opened) |
3 months |
Refrigerate
prepared dressing. |
| made from mix |
2 weeks |
|
| Salad oils
unopened |
6 months* |
Small
quantities, no refrigeration required. Refrigerate after opening. |
| opened |
1-3 months |
|
| Shortenings,
solid unopened |
8 months |
Refrigeration
not needed. |
| opened |
6 months |
Refrigeration
not needed. |
| Sugar brown |
4 months |
Put in airtight
container. |
| confectioners |
18 months |
Put in airtight
container. |
| granulated |
2 years + |
Cover tightly. |
| artificial
sweeteners |
2 years + |
Cover tightly. |
| Syrups |
12 months |
Keep tightly
closed. Refrigerate to extend storage life. Remove any light
surface mold and use. |
| Teabags |
18 months |
Put in airtight
container. |
| instant |
3 years |
Cover tightly. |
| loose |
2 years |
Put in airtight
container. |
| Vinegar unopened |
2 years* |
Keep tightly
closed. Slightly cloudy appearance doesn't affect vinegar.
Distilled vinegar keeps longer than cider vinegar. |
| opened |
12 months |
|
| Non-dairy coffee
creamers (dry) unopened |
9 months |
Keep lid tightly
closed. |
| opened |
6 months |
|
