Question

What's the best long-term food storage?

Answer 1

Here are some foods that have a really long shelf life for food storage:

Note: Oxygen absorbers increase the shelf life of many foods
Note: Always check canned foods stored for a long time for signs of botulism 

1. Soft grains like quinoa, rye, barley, etc. can last up to 8 years if they're sealed!
2. Hard grains like wheat, buckwheat, millet can last 10-12 years
3. Rolled oats can last up to 20 years if stored correctly (no oxygen or moisture)
4. White rice can last up to 20 years (brown is healthier but has a shorter shelf life
5. Flour. If it's unground it an last up to 25 years (ground is much less) 
6. Dry pasta can last up to 30 years if there's no moisture present
7. Ramen noodles! 
8. Canned beans can last up to 5 years
9. Canned beans can last up to 6 years
10. Canned spaghetti can last about 2 years
11. Dehydrated fruits and veggies can last up to 15 years! (homemade last longer than store bought)
12. Dried corn can last up to 15 years if it's freeze-dried and is free from moisture
13. Dried meat like jerky can last about 2 years if unopened (leaner lasts longer)
14. Freeze-dried meat can last up to 15 years unopened
15. Canned meat like spam, ham, tuna, etc. can last 2-5 years after the printed date if it's been stored properly 
16. Powdered whole eggs can keep 10-15 years 
17. Peanut butter in a jar lasts 2 years. Powdered PB can last up to 15!
18. Coconut oil can last 2-5 years
19. Olive oil can last up to 2 years (keep it somewhere dark)
20. Clarified butter (ghee) - it can last up to 2 years unopened if it's stored in a cool dark place
21. Sugars - white, brown, cane - can last indefinitely if it's hermetically sealed (add a moisture absorber here). 
22. Raw honey can be kept indefinitely 
23. Hard candy can last 1-2 years but can last indefinitely
24. Dry jello with no moisture can last indefinitely 
25. Maple syrup can be kept indefinitely 
26. Pemmican - never heard of it? You're not alone. Pemmican is a blend of powdered lean meats, mixed with berry powder and animal fats. It can last up to 50 years and while it's not the tastiest, it's a great survival food since it's full of protein.