The best emergency food options are items your family likes to eat that also have a long shelf life.Non-perishable foods high in protein such as nuts, nut butters and canned meats supply energy necessary in an emergency situation.
Other canned food options to add to the stockpile include vegetables, fruits, beans and soups. Dry goods to add include granola bars, dried fruit, crackers and cereal.Avoid foods that cause thirst such as overly salty foods.Also, many of our favorite foods are probably prone to spoilage or bacteria when stored for long periods of time, so we’ll have to make smart decisions as to what we can and can’t store in our pantries.
Whether you are preparing for the end of the world or a global food crisis these 23 items should be on your list:
1.Corn
2.Rice
White, wild, arborio, jasmine and basmati rice all have an indefinite shelf life, when kept free from contaminants. The exception: brown rice. Thanks to its higher oil content, it won’t keep nearly as long. Keep it fresh: Store in a cool, dry area. Once opened, place rice in a sealed airtight container or place original package in a resealable heavy-duty freezer bag. For added protection, store rice in the refrigerator or freezer.
3. Maple Syrup
Pure maple syrup not only makes your pancakes special, it adds tremendous flavor to a whole range of dishes.Like honey, it may crystallize over time but it will still taste amazing.If stored in the fridge maple syrup can last long. You can even freeze maple syrup in air-tight containers if you want it to last longer.
4.Salt and Sugar
- Keep salt in a tightly covered container to avoid moisture absorption, and it will last indefinitely. Since salt is a mineral, it cannot spoil.Salt’s dryness prevents bacteria from spoiling food.
- Cane sugar can be stored for extended periods of time as well. Bacteria does not grow on sugar because its content has little moisture, and cane sugar is a natural sweetener for other foods. You can remedy any lumps in your stored sugar, by heating it in a microwave on a low power setting, for one to two minutes per cup of sugar.
5. Pemmican
These little cakes are made from the crushed powder of dried lean meat (usually buffalo, elk or deer) and hot rendered fat. Sometimes berries are added for flavor. Native Americans invented this protein-packed snack, and explorers relied on pemmican because it was easy to make and did not require heating or refrigeration. When traditionally prepared with all the moisture removed, pemmicans are shelf stable indefinitely.
6. Canned Foods
Canned foods today can last for over 30 years, but you need to keep your cans sealed completely. Foods that are preserved in cans can be used for emergencies. Once the can is open, you will need to cook the food inside.
7.Honey
Pure honey is as durable as it is delicious; it keeps safe indefinitely. Honey may change color or crystallize over time, but that won’t make it unsafe. Keep it fresh: Store in a cool area and keep tightly closed. Revive crystallized honey by placing the opened jar in warm water and stirring until dissolved.
8.Powdered Milk
Powdered milk is a decent cooking and baking ingredient.As long as it’s kept in a cool, dry place, powdered milk will last indefinitely.
9.Ramen Noodles
Ramen noodles last for ten years or more, because these pasta noodles are completely dried.
10. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a very long lasting food.Some types of peanut butter available on grocery shelves do not need refrigeration. This type of peanut butter can last a long time, for a year or longer because of the oil in the peanut butter, which tends to keep water away.
11. Hard Tack
These rock-hard crackers were a major food for soldiers during the Civil War, and never went bad because they’re basically moisture-free.
12.Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is one of the most versatile flavor enhancers today.Unopened soy sauce can last for a very long time.
13. Bouillon
14.Vinegar
It contains a low pH content, and it is often used as a preservative for other foods.In addition to cooking, distilled white vinegar can be used for cleaning, polishing, deodorizing, and other things.
15.Pure Vanilla Extract
More expensive and highly precious than its imitation counterpart. but since Pure Vanilla Extract keeps forever, so you’ll never have to waste a drop.
16.Ghee
This kind of butter is boiled until all the moisture is gone, which is why it never goes bad. As long as you seal it and keep it in a cool, dry location (as with every item in this list) it can last hundreds of years.
17.Hard Liquor
Distilled spirits, like Vodka, Rum, Whiskey, Gin, Tequila don’t spoil, even after opening. And it’s not just a temporary escape, it’s also important for disinfecting wounds and easing physical pain.
18.Dried Beans
Beans that are properly dried can last up to 30 years.Your storage areas should be dark and away from outside air.Old beans might not taste so great and will need extra soaking time before cooking, but they’ll certainly be edible.
19.Oats
Oats contain a natural antioxidant which discourages rancidity, thus oat flour has a bit longer shelf life than whole wheat flour. Store in a cool, dark cupboard up to three months or refrigerate up to 6 months.
20.Dried Pasta
With proper storage, dried pasta can last years past its expiration date.Dried pasta does not need to be refrigerated. It can be stored on the shelf in an airtight container in a dry area that is not exposed to extreme temperatures.
21.Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is perfectly suitable and stable for shelf or pantry storage for up to two years. Depending on the indoor temperature and the season, this could mean it is either a liquid or a solid. You can store coconut oil in the refrigerator, but it will be hard and more difficult to use.
22.Quinoa
Dry quinoa has a nice long shelf life. Store uncooked quinoa in an air-tight container in your pantry. It stays fresh for months. You can also refrigerate dry quinoa or freeze it; and it will stay fresh even longer. Store cooked quinoa in the fridge for a few days or in the freezer for a month.
23.Coffee and Tea
Dried coffee, if stored properly, can last for months and even years beyond any dates printed on the package. The best way to store ground coffee to keep it fresh longer is by also storing it in your freezer immediately after use. Storing coffee in the freezer does not actually freeze the coffee, so it is always ready for use without any defrosting. Storing tea can be very simple. If you keep your tea in an airtight container and then store your container in a dark, cool, dry place free from strong odors, you will likely consume it before you begin to notice any degradation in aroma or taste.
Interesting. I’ve never heard of Pemmican. I’m going to have to look into this. The picture looks like whole cuts of meat though.
Good article am going to buy that book that has the recipe for pemmican just have not had the money