10 Surprising Foods You Can Still Eat After Their Expiry Date

cornstarch

The first food product we will introduce in this list is cornstarch. As long as you store cornstarch in the right place under proper conditions, it will never spoil. To store it even after its expiration date, make sure to follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The best way to store this food is by keeping it in an airtight container, away from heat and light.

White rice

Just like cornstarch, rice can also be consumed even after its expiration date if stored properly. Research shows that if rice is kept at a temperature below 5°C, it can last for 25 to 30 years. At room temperature, rice can be stored for about 10 years without any issues.

The key factor for storing rice is that it should be kept in an oxygen-free container. Once the rice is removed from the vacuum-sealed container, it should be consumed within 2 years. Finally, remember that brown rice only lasts for 6 months in this condition because the oil in its outer husk will eventually spoil over time.

Canned food

In general, most canned food products have a very long shelf life. According to research in this field, most canned foods are still safe to use even 24 months after their expiration date. However, you should make sure to boil them for 20 minutes before using them; this is especially important for canned tuna.

Dried pasta and macaroni

Unlike fresh pasta, dried pasta can be used for a very long time, even after its expiration date. According to researchers, dried pasta can still be used up to 12 months after its expiration. This is due to the special production process of pasta. However, it's important to store the pasta in its packaging in a dry, cool place, away from sunlight.

Honey

Honey is also one of the popular foods commonly found in most homes, and it never spoils. How should honey be stored? An important point to remember is that honey should always be kept in a sealed container, away from moisture. The water content in honey is less than 20%, and its pH prevents bacterial growth. The only factor that can spoil honey is moisture.

Vinegar

Another food that doesn't spoil after its expiration date is vinegar. Vinegar never spoils and doesn't really have a specific expiration date. You can store it for as long as you want. Over time, vinegar may become slightly cloudy or develop sediment. This sediment is a bacterial, sticky substance known as the 'mother of vinegar.' Straining the vinegar will make it usable again.

Types of hot sauces

The ingredients in vinegar and hot sauces are often quite similar. Therefore, it can be said that just like vinegar, hot sauce rarely goes bad. However, experts recommend using hot sauces within 1 year after their expiration date. After this period, it is not advised to use them.

Sugar

Sugar is another food that doesn't spoil after its expiration date. It can be said that sugar remains intact, which is why it is used for long-term preservation of jams and candied fruits. Sugar only spoils when it comes into contact with moisture or other materials. In this case, it clumps together and eventually hardens into chunks. To store sugar for a long time without spoiling, it should be kept in vacuum-sealed, airtight containers.

salt

Salt, like many other foods such as honey, never spoils. However, this is only the case if the salt is completely pure and free of any additives like iodine. For centuries, salt has been one of the most important food preservatives, as its properties prevent the growth of bacteria in food.

Types of instant coffees

Did you know that different types of instant coffee also have a long shelf life? The process of making instant coffee involves brewing regular coffee, then drying it to produce either instant coffee beans or powder. (This process is quite similar to how powdered milk is made.) At the end of this process, the water content in the instant coffee is only about 3 to 5 percent.

Drying food helps extend its shelf life. Bacteria, molds, and other microorganisms that cause food spoilage cannot grow and are eliminated. This is why instant coffee can be safely consumed even after its expiration date.