▎ WuXi AppTec content team editor
In life, we will inevitably encounter some emergencies, resulting in travel difficulties or shortage of materials.
At this time, it is still necessary to properly store food at home in advance.
But the refrigerator at home is so big that not all food can be stuffed into the refrigerator; some foods are not high in calorie density, but they occupy a lot of place, and fresh foods that are not resistant to storage are easy to spoil.
Image credit: 123RF
Today, I will talk about how to store food scientifically and safely at home.
It should be reminded that the food storage time of this article is only for reference, before you buy, you must first look at the storage conditions and shelf life on the packaging, and estimate whether the home can be put down, and whether it can be eaten before the shelf life.
Foods that can be stored for a long time at room temperature
Here are some common foods that are suitable for longer storage at room temperature (as short as 1 week, up to 1-3 years).
1. Foods with a long shelf life, almost no need to put in the refrigerator, and do not need to be cooked
Canned food: ready-to-eat meat, fruit, corn or canned peas (be sure to prepare a can opener), generally can be put at room temperature for 1-3 years, but after opening the can need to be refrigerated, it is best to eat within 3-4 days;
Carbohydrates: vacuum-packed ready-to-eat cereals, potato chips, tortillas (3 months), individually packaged biscuits, bread (about 2-3 weeks, but with cream, cheese, frosting is not resistant to storage);
Convenience foods that require cold or hot water (it is not recommended to stock up on water shortages): self-heating rice, self-heating hot pot, oatmeal (6-12 months after opening), instant noodles;
Protein: protein bars (when there is no lack of water, it is recommended to buy protein powder), vacuum-packed sauce marinated meat, dried meat, preserved meat, etc.;
Fruits: coconuts, apples (3 weeks), citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit (10 days);
Vegetables: winter melon (1-2 months), potatoes and onions (1 month), tomatoes (7 days);
Dried goods: dried fruits (such as raisins, dried dates, unopened for 6 months, can be put for 1 month after opening), nuts;
Beverages: canned fruit juice, pasteurized packaging room temperature milk (can be stored for 1 year, no lack of water, it is recommended to buy milk powder, although the taste is not as good as fresh milk, but easy to carry, small space);
Pickled foods: such as kimchi, preserves, etc.;
Seasoning: peanut butter (2-3 months after opening), sugar or syrup, honey (water required).
Note that if there may be a shortage of water and stop the water, do not hoard very salty or spicy food, otherwise it is easy to thirst.
Image credit: 123RF
2. Food that has a long shelf life and does not need to be placed in the refrigerator, but needs to be cooked
These foods can also be stored for a long time, but there must be conditions for cooking.
Grains: rice, noodles, grains (such as quinoa, etc.), which can be put for 1-2 years, as well as white flour, corn flour (6-12 months);
Miscellaneous beans: In addition to soybeans, other beans are miscellaneous beans, especially recommended lentils, peas, red adzuki beans, etc. (1-2 years), mixed beans and rice noodles and other foods can improve the utilization of protein;
Vegetables: winter melon (1-2 months), onions, potatoes (1 month), zucchini (1-5 days);
Dry goods: dried mushrooms, dried fungus, dried yellow cauliflower, etc.;
Seasoning: rapeseed oil or olive oil (3-5 months after opening), soy sauce.
Food needed to be stored in the fridge
There are also many foods that everyone often eats, which is unsafe at room temperature, and it is best to put it in the refrigerator.
So, how much difference does the storage time make in the case of refrigeration and freezing? Here we have made a form for easy reference. (Note: The following times are estimates, be sure to check the food for signs of spoilage.) ）
1. Eggs and fresh livestock meat
Content Source: References [3-4], Drafted by WuXi AppTec Content Team
2. Fresh aquatic products