Foods That Last For Ever
The world is in upheaval and many natural and man-made disasters determine the way our lives change. You never know when you will find yourself in “survival mode” and although this might not mean taking refuge in the bush, it could well mean a shortage of supplies we take for granted – like foods.
In an instant you could find yourself with no electricity, no tap water, no fuel and maybe without your home! It is time everyone started preparing for a disaster and now is the time to ensure you and your family have some basic needs at hand such as cash, warmth, protection, fresh water and long term foods.
The foods you have presently in the fridge or grocery cupboard will only last a few days and then what will you do?
There are some foods that will last a long time without spoiling when stored properly, such as wheat, beans, pasta, etc., but even better there are some foods that last for ever, without having to be canned, frozen or dehydrated.
If you’re new to long term food storage, these are the best to start with. These are the longest lasting foods known to man and are often referred to as “forever foods.”
Technically, most of them are ingredients, rather than whole foods, but they can be the basics to making some great meals.
Next time you’re shopping, grab some of these foods or ingredients, even if you don’t need them right now. Just seal them in an airtight bag, bottle, or container, keep them in a cool, dry place. When the time arises that you need them, they’ll be ready.
This is the list, in alphabetical order:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar – This kitchen staple has many health benefits and will last indefinitely as long as you keep it well sealed.
2. Bouillon Stock Cubes – As long as you keep these dry, they should remain stable indefinitely. With these, you can make some delicious soups with just a few other ingredients, so get plenty of them.
3. Corn Starch – As long as it’s kept dry, corn starch can last indefinitely, so stock up. It’s not only great for cooking, but can also be used for other things like removing oil from the face and hair, soothing sunburn and rashes.
4. Corn Syrup – The most common substitute for sugar. You can use it for making brownies, cookies or candy.
5. Ghee – This kind of butter is boiled until all the moisture is removed, which is why it never goes bad. As long as you seal it and keep it in a cool, dry location it can last for hundreds of years.
6. Hard Liquor – Distilled spirits never goes off, even after it’s been opened. And it’s not just a temporary escape from the madness, it’s also very good for disinfecting wounds and easing pain.
7. Hardtack – This is a mixture of flour and water which forms a hard cracker that keeps for decades. Soldiers carried it with them in wars of old. It’s very hard and doesn’t taste great, but it will keep you going in an emergency.
8. Raw Honey – Archaeologists discovered ancient honey in the Egyptian pyramids and it was still edible! This must be natural, organic raw honey and not the fake stuff sold in supermarkets. It does crystallize after a while, but all you have to do is warm it up and stir it to get it back to the right consistency.
9. Maple Syrup – Like corn syrup and honey, this stuff lasts a really long time because of its high sugar content.
10. Salt – This lasts for ever, whether it’s sea salt or ordinary table salt. It’s also very useful. Just make sure it’s not seasoned salt, which is only good for about a year.
11. Soy Sauce – As long as it’s never been opened, soy sauce also lasts indefinitely. This is mainly due to the high sodium content.
12. Sugar – Brown, white and powdered sugar all last for ever. The problem with sugar is that it hardens over time, especially if it gets damp, but you can break up the chunks by warming it up and stirring it, just like with honey.
13. Vanilla Extract – Pure vanilla extract actually improves with time, because it’s a form of liqueur. It’s more expensive than imitation vanilla, but well worth it.
14. White Rice – Every type of rice except for brown rice will keep for ever if stored properly. Brown rice, on the other hand, contains a lot of oil, so it goes off after a couple of months.
15. White Vinegar – In addition to being used in cooking, distilled white vinegar can also be used for cleaning, polishing, deodorising, and other things.
If you take the time to ensure you have some of these long term foods and ingredients, you won’t be sorry.
Of course if you spend a lot of time out in the bush, camping, backpacking, hiking etc, you probably already have some tools to make your life easier. Even with waterproof matches, sleeping bags, energy bars, torches, cooking devices and so on, you could easily end up worse than you expected.
Check out our range of survival packs, tools and also seriously consider stocking up with some of our long life freeze dried foods and camping meals. These are dehydrated gourmet meals and last as long as 25 years. You only need to add a little water to enjoy a sumptuous meal.
