By Michael, on June 8th, 2013 
No one can predict what might happen in the future, and as a result, all that we can do to be ready for it is to be prepared for every eventuality. That is why it is so important that we keep an emergency supply of food in our homes, and enough for each person who lives in our household. Such preparedness can soon turn to disaster however if, when the time comes to finally use it, all of your food has spoiled or expired. So to help you out, here are 10 foods with the longest shelf lives.
Picture Credit- Barney Butter Crunchy Almond Butter
Honey
Honey is the king of long-lasting foods. It has been found in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs after thousands of years, and if you keep it in your food storage it can make an excellent substitute for sugar or even just a tasty treat!
Salt
It may technically be a mineral rather than a food, but if it is kept safe from contamination, salt will last forever. It can also be used as a preservative for other foods.
Vinegar
Another well-known preservative, vinegar will not only last for a long time, but it can be used to preserve things such as vegetables, which usually spoil relatively quickly. Make sure you keep it in glass for long term storage.
Sugar
Sugar doesn't usually keep quite as well as honey, but if it is stored correctly, it most certainly will keep for some years. Keep it in a cool, dry place, away from pests, and it will rarely go bad.
Peanut Butter
If you are looking for an easy store-bought product that will last, peanut butter is an excellent choice. Officially it will be good for up to two years, but you may find that it lasts much longer than that.
Canned Foods
The point of canned foods is that they will last much longer than fresh produce. For another convenient, supermarket option, make use of the canned food aisle. Chili, in particular, will last a long time.
Powdered Milk
Milk is essential, but only lasts a couple of days at the most. If you buy the powdered milk that comes in a airtight, sealed metal container, you will find that it lasts for an incredible amount of time. This will be a relief to those of us who rely on the stuff!
Rice
Rice is another one that requires proper storage, but if stored correctly it can last as least a few years.
Wheat and Oats
Collect some wheat and oats and store them in airtight containers, in a dark, cool place. This will preserve them and provide you with some staples from which you can make plenty of different recipes when you are in a bind.
It is usually the water content that ages food quickly, so any dehydrated food is bound to last much longer than fresh produce. This goes for fruit, vegetables, canned dehydrated food, and even freeze-dried meals, will last for decades.
Lee Flynn is a writer, food prepper and all-around food storage expert.
Top 10 Longest Lasting Foods
Top 10 Longest Lasting Foods
