Everything I read says that dried fruit has a 6 month shelf life. But I’ve eaten raisins that are FAR older than that and they taste fine & I’m still alive & kicking…
Anyone know why are you only supposed to store dried fruit 6 months? I greatly prefer those “Trader Joe’s” sealed plastic bags of dried fruits to stocking tons and tons of cans - both for taste and space considerations…
Maybe I should move them from the original plastic bags to mylar bags with oxygen absorbers? Those TJ bags are pretty heavy duty though - I have kept them in the pantry quite awhile even opened & resealed…
Any tips?
I’m still eating apples I dehydrated over two years ago, and still alive to tell the tale. I keep them in a sealed mason jar, no o2 absorbers. Still taste as good as the day they were dehydrated.
Kim, that’s great that your apples kept that long! Thanks for your input. I will try the jar idea too.
We’ve decided to buy dried fruit at winco instead, and pack them in mylar with o2 absorbers - their fruit is much cheaper than Trader Joe’s. The bags work for bulk fruit - hurrah no more cans to store. (we already have tons of canned - will concentrate on the dried from now on, now that I know it keeps)
Just today I came across this very nice list from Provident living:
Approximate Shelf Life of Foods Stored in Airtight Containers at Room Temperature Provident living Product Shelf Life Storage Tips Adzuki Beans 8 Years Alfalfa Seed 8 Years Sprouts best when 2–3 years old Apple Flakes, Dried 5 Years Apples, Dried 5 Years Bananas, Dried 5 Years Barley 8 Years Beans, Refried 5 Years Use within 1 year of opening container Black Turtle Beans 8 Years Blackeye Beans 8 Years Broccoli 8 Years Buckwheat 12 Years Butter Powder 5 Years Cabbage 10 Years Carrots 10 Years Celery 10 Years Cheese Powder 15 Years Cocoa Powder 15 Years Corn, Whole 12 Years Cornmeal 5 Years Use within 1 year of opening container Durum Wheat 10 Years Egg Powder 5 Years Stores 15 years in freezer Flax Seed 10 Years Flour, Unbleached 5 Years Use within 1 year of opening container Flour, White 5 Years Use within 1 year of opening container Flour, Whole Wheat 3 Years Use within 3 months of opening container Fruit Galaxy 5 Years Garbanzo Beans 8 Years Garden Seeds 4 Years Refrigerate for best results Germade Cereal 5 Years Use within 1 year of opening container Gluten 5 Years Use within 1 year of opening container Granola 5 Years Great Northern Beans 8 Years Honey, Pure Pasteurized Indefinite Will crystallize over time Honey, Pure Raw 5 Years May ferment over time Kamut 12 Years Kidney Beans 8 Years Lentils 8 Years Lima Beans 8 Years Macaroni 10 Years Add a handful of salt to reduce moisture Margarine Powder 10 Years Millet 10 Years Mixes, Dry 5 Years Use within 1 year of opening container Morning Moo 5 Years Mung Beans 8 Years Nonfat Dry Milk 5 Years Noodles 10 Years Add a handful of salt to reduce moisture Oat Groats 8 Years Oats, Quick Rolled 1–2 Years Oats, Regular Rolled 5 Years Onions 10 Years Gradually turn brown over time Pasta, White 10 Years Add a handful of salt to reduce moisture Pasta, Whole Wheat 8 Years Add a handful of salt to reduce moisture Peaches, Dried 5 Years Peanut Butter Powder 4 Years Refrigerate for longer shelf life Peppers 10 Years Pink Beans 8 Years Pinto Beans 8 Years Potatoes 7 Years Gradually turn brown over time Quinoa 8 Years Raisins, Dried 5 Years Raisins, Moist 3 Years Red Wheat, Hard 15 Years Ribbon Noodles 10 Years Add a handful of salt to reduce moisture Rice, Brown 1 Year Will store up to 5 years in freezer Rice, White 10 Years Rolled Oats 7 Years Store in airtight container after opening Rye 8 Years Salt Indefinite Will clump in moist environment Shortening Powder 10 Years Small Red Beans 8 Years Small White Navy Beans 8 Years Soft Wheat 10 Years Soybeans 8 Years Spaghetti 10 Years Add a handful of salt to reduce moisture Spelt 12 Years Sprouting Seeds 4 Years Sugar Indefinite Will clump in moist environment Triticale 12 Years TVP 20 Years Wheat Flakes 5 Years Wheat, Cracked 5 Years Use within 1 year of opening container Whey Powder 15 Years Gradually turns brown but is still usable White Wheat, Hard 15 Years Yeast 2 Years Stores 7–10 years in the freezer
Ouch. Sorry - that table is a mess - here’s another try:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 align=center border=1> <T>
<TR> <TH>Product</TH> <TH>Shelf Life</TH> <TH>Storage Tips</TH></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Adzuki Beans</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Alfalfa Seed</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left>Sprouts best when 2–3 years old</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Apple Flakes, Dried</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Apples, Dried</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Bananas, Dried</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Barley</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Beans, Refried</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Use within 1 year of opening container</TD></TR> <TR>
<TD vAlign=center align=left>Black Turtle Beans</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Blackeye Beans</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Broccoli</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR>
<TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Buckwheat</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>12 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Butter Powder</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Cabbage</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>10 Years</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Carrots</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>10 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Celery</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>10 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Cheese Powder</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>15 Years</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Cocoa Powder</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>15 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Corn, Whole</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>12 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Cornmeal</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left>Use within 1 year of opening container</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Durum Wheat</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>10 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Egg Powder</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Stores 15 years in freezer</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Flax Seed</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left>10 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Flour, Unbleached</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Use within 1 year of opening container</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Flour, White</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Use within 1 year of opening container</TD></TR>
<TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Flour, Whole Wheat</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>3 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Use within 3 months of opening container</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Fruit Galaxy</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Garbanzo Beans</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Garden Seeds</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>4 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Refrigerate for best results</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Germade Cereal</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Use within 1 year of opening container</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Gluten</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Use within 1 year of opening container</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Granola</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Great Northern Beans</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR>
<TD vAlign=center align=left>Honey, Pure Pasteurized</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Indefinite</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Will crystallize over time</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Honey, Pure Raw</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>May ferment over time</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Kamut</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>12 Years</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Kidney Beans</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Lentils</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Lima Beans</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Macaroni</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>10 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Add a handful of salt to reduce moisture</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Margarine Powder</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>10 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Millet</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left>10 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Mixes, Dry</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Use within 1 year of opening container</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Morning Moo</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR>
<TD vAlign=center align=left>Mung Beans</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Nonfat Dry Milk</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Noodles</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>10 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Add a handful of salt to reduce moisture</TD></TR>
<TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Oat Groats</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Oats, Quick Rolled</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>1–2 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Oats, Regular Rolled</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Onions</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>10 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Gradually turn brown over time</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Pasta, White</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>10 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Add a handful of salt to reduce moisture</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Pasta, Whole Wheat</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Add a handful of salt to reduce moisture</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Peaches, Dried</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Peanut Butter Powder</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>4 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Refrigerate for longer shelf life</TD></TR>
<TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Peppers</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>10 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Pink Beans</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Pinto Beans</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left><span class=“highlight”>Potatoes</span></TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>7 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Gradually turn brown over time</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Quinoa</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Raisins, Dried</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Raisins, Moist</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>3 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Red Wheat, Hard</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>15 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Ribbon Noodles</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left>10 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Add a handful of salt to reduce moisture</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Rice, Brown</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>1 Year</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Will store up to 5 years in freezer</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Rice, White</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>10 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR>
<TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Rolled Oats</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>7 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Store in airtight container after opening</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Rye</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Salt</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Indefinite</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left>Will clump in moist environment</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Shortening Powder</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>10 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Small Red Beans</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Small White Navy Beans</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Soft Wheat</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>10 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Soybeans</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>8 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Spaghetti</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left>10 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Add a handful of salt to reduce moisture</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Spelt</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>12 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Sprouting Seeds</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>4 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR>
<TD vAlign=center align=left>Sugar</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Indefinite</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Will clump in moist environment</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Triticale</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>12 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>TVP</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>20 Years</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Wheat Flakes</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Wheat, Cracked</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>5 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Use within 1 year of opening container</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Whey Powder</TD>
<TD vAlign=center align=left>15 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Gradually turns brown but is still usable</TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>White Wheat, Hard</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>15 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left> </TD></TR> <TR> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Yeast</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>2 Years</TD> <TD vAlign=center align=left>Stores 7–10 years in the freezer</TD></TR></T></TABLE>
</div>
Oh yuck.
I posted it here instead:
Shelf Life Table
Really wish they had a “preview post” function here…
sorry about all that
I think the “6 month” shelf life is for optimum flavor, texture and nutrition … and would depend even further on how the fruit was stored.
If your dried fruit gets a little too dry, just rehydrate it a tad with water or some other liquid.
I save my raisins that are too dried out for hand eating to throw into stews, rice dishes, and Hispanic cookery. They rehydrate splendidly during cooking.
I’ve also rehydrated them with liquor when I’m going to put them in cakes and such. Watch out though … drunk raisins have a powerful kick to ‘em. <grin>
waprepper, you can try out tables and other formatting in the sandbox. Just click on the ‘edit’ link at the top of the page
Died fruit doesn’t really ‘go bad’ unless it gets wet. The 6 month recommendation may be referring to optimal nutritional value. Any stored food does decrease in nutritional value in time. For the purposes of pan-prep I’m not planning to store more than our family would normally use in SIP period of time and then just rotate as you do use it.
I meant dried fruit:-)
I keep my dried fruit in the original bags or in glass jars if bought in bulk. No o2 absorbers. Never had a problem.
Dehydration eliminates one important food degradation factor- water/moisture. If packaged properly, oxygen can also be elimanated. That leaves temperature --- and time. Keeping “food” in a cool, dark, dry place is recommended to extend shelf life… time. Everything we are trying to do here is to “optimally” extend shelf life. So, it seems prudent to consider all of these factors in aiming for that “optimal” time.
The areas I am still concerned about is rancidity and sugar (because sugar can cause moisture & because it can become a “fuel” for growth of organisms.) For example, I dehydrated breakfast sausage. I just couldn’t get the grease out enough to feel “safe” storing it outside of the freezer. I decided it would extend the shelf life of the product in the freezer, and if the electricity went out I would have it “ready” for what I wanted. It was the most secure way I could figure to ensure having the product I wanted when I most needed it… when the electricity was out. As for sugar, I know that it is also used as a “preservative.” But, so far, I am not having luck using it in dehydration… my stuff “weeps.” Until I figure out how it is done… I will just add it when I use the stuff.
I purchase dehydrated items and vacuum seal them. Some items I know don’t need that, but many I know do… especially items from grocery stores, etc, that really aren’t intended for long term storage. (They want me to buy more… now!)
I am not sure, but I believe once all the elements I mentioned have been addressed, one can expect a much longer shelf life. This includes nutritional quality. I don’t have any specific scientific backing at my finger tips, but my gutt instinct is that dehydration preserves food better than any other method. Coupled with all the elements of proper holding, it should hold a VERY long time… with little compromise. waprepper’s resource actually originally comes from probably the most “researched” and “informed” preppers… the Mormons.
Thanks to waprepper for that shelf life table - I’ve been looking for something like that for quite a while. My question is, what is the best/most economical way to store stuff in “airtight containers?” I’ve read about using the cans with oxygen absorbers, the mylar bags and also vacuum sealing, but I’ve no idea why I’d choose one method over the other.
I don’t have a dehydrater but was wondering if you could seal them up with a Food Saver to help them last longer? My kids eat a lot of raisins, cranberries, etc. and I fgure without a lot of fresh fruits and veggies we’ll need extra fiber. But they don’t like dried out raisins. Anyone tried that?
warprepper:
Indebted to you for the invaluable shelf life table. I made a few copies of it just now, and emailed it to many people. Your work will be invaluable for a lot of people in the near future. Thanks for preservering through the formatting difficulties to get the word out.
EnoughAlready – at 04:15
Preservation by sugar is a long, drawn out process. I’ve got a good recipe/directions for it though if you would like. It requires boiling the fruit(s) in a sugar syrup of increasing strength for four consecutive days and THEN dehydrating them. There are two products at the end. The first is the gourmet syrup you are left with that is full of the fruits essence … better than anything you will ever buy off the shelf. The second is like the “sugared and dried” fruits that a lot of people get for Christmas … a la Christmas Sugar Plums.
Its not that it is difficult .. I’ve done it several times. It is just time consuming, in terms of about an hour of your time for several consecutive days. The results are wonderful though.
Kathy in FL – at 16:41
I would love it, Kathy! Thanks! BTW, I was at WalMart today. They had Crepe’s in plastic bags, sort of like flour tortillas come in. I thought of you!! :) I’ve never, ever seen crepes packaged like that, have you?