Food Storage The McCarty Metro is providing a handy guide to let you know just how long food will stay fresh in your home. Dry Goods ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened: airtight container in cool, dry place
How Long: 10 to 15 months
Comments: Heat and moisture accelerate staleness. When weather is hot or humid, keep flour in the freezer | WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR
| How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened: airtight container in cool, dry place; fridge/freezer |
How Long: Cool, dry place or fridge: 1 to 2 months; freezer: 6 monthsComments: The oil in the bran quickly becomes rancid at room temperature
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| WHOLE GRAINS
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened: airtight container in cool, dry place; fridge/freezer
How Long: Cool, dry place: 2 to 3 months; fridge:
6 months; freezer: 1 year
Comments: The oil in the bran layer quickly becomes rancid at room temperature | BROWN RICE
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened:
airtight container in cool, dry place; fridge/freezer
. |  | How Long: Cool, dry place or fridge: up to 6 months; freezer: 1 year Comments: The oil in the bran layer quickly becomes rancid at room temperature |
| WHITE RICE
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened: airtight container in cool, dry place; fridge/freezer
How Long: Indefinitely | PASTA (DRY)
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened: airtight container in cool, dry place
How Long: 1 year
Comments: After opening, transfer to an airtight container | BREAD CRUMBS
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened: cool, dry place or refrigerator
How Long: Cool, dry place: 3 to 6 months;
refrigerator: 2 years
Comments: To keep flavor fresh, refrigerate after opening | COFFEE
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened: airtight glass or ceramic containers in cool, dark place
How Long: 1 to 2 weeks
Comments: Whole beans can be frozen in small amounts for up to a month; do not refreeze--the flavor will be affected | SUGAR (BROWN)
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened: airtight container in a cool place
How Long: 4 to 6 months
COMMENTS: Brown sugar hardens when it dries out. | SUGAR (GRANULATED)
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened: airtight container in a cool, dry place
How Long: Indefinitely |
Condiments HONEY
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened:
cool, dark place
How Long: Indefinitely
Comments: If honey has crystallized, place open jar in pan of simmering water; stir honey until crystals dissolve | MAPLE SYRUP
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened: refrigerator or freezer How Long: Refrigerator: 1 year; freezer: indefinitely
Comments: For optimal storage, buy in glass containers only; maple syrup is subject to mold, and glass helps prevent mold | VEGETABLE OIL
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened: cool, dark place or refrigerator
How Long: Cool, dark place: 3 months; refrigerator: 6 months
Comments: Refrigerated vegetable oil shouldn't be left out; frequent temperature changes aren't good for it | OLIVE OIL
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened: cool, dark place
How Long: 12 to 18 months
Comments: Olive oil solidifies if refrigerated, but this does not affect its flavor | VINEGAR
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened: cool, dark place
How Long: Unopened: indefinitely; opened: 6 months
Comments: Strain vinegar, with added ingredients such as herbs, into a clean bottle when vinegar level drops below
ingredients | MAYONNAISE
How to Store/Where: Unopened: cool, dark place; opened: fridge
How Long: Unopened: see use-by date; opened: 2 months
Comments: In refrigerator, store in door; the oil may separate if the jar is kept in colder parts of the fridge | SOY SAUCE
How to Store/Where: Unopened: cool, dark place; opened: refrigerator
How Long: 1 year
Comments: Can use for up to three years, but evaporation may darken the color and intensify the flavor | WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened: cool, dark place
How Long: 12 years
Comments: Tastes better with age because liquid evaporates and flavor intensifies | SALSA
How to Store/Where: Unopened: cool, dark place; opened: fridge.
How long: Unopened: 1 year; opened: 2 weeks
Comments: To prevent contamination from bacteria, don't dip food into the jar; spoon from jar to serve. | SPICES
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened: airtight container in cool, dark place
How Long: 1 year
Comments: Date the containers when you purchase them; refrigerate red spices (e.g., paprika), poppy, and sesame seeds |
Perishables PEANUT BUTTER
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened: cool place, if processed; natural types must be refrigerated
How Long: 6 months
Comments: Gets rancid when exposed to air or heat. To determine if it's still fresh past the expiration date, smell
and taste | EGGS
How to Store/Where: In its original carton in main part of refrigerator (it's not cold enough in the door)
How Long: 3 to 5 weeks
Comments: If yolks and whites are separated, can be frozen up to a year | PRE-GRATED CHEESE
How to Store/Where: Unopened/opened: refrigerator
How Long: Unopened: check date on package;
opened: 3 to 4 weeks
| POTATOES
How to Store/Where: Cool, dark place; do not refrigerate: flavor will change
How Long: 1 month
Comments: Don't wash before storing; dampness can cause decay. Near heat and light, spuds develop a bitter flavor and last a week | ONIONS
How to Store/Where: Cool, dry, well-ventilated place, such as a basket, away from direct sunlight
How Long: 1 to 4 weeks
Comments: Refrigerate cut onions in tightly sealed container. If an onion has a strong odor before peeling, it may have a rotten layer | NUTS
How to Store/Where: Unopened: room temperature;
opened: refrigerator or freezer
How Long: Unopened: 1 month; opened, in fridge or
freezer: 2 to 3 months |
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