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With unexpected natural or man-made disasters looming over us on a daily basis, stocking up on food is should be one of the top priorities for every smart survivalist.
Of course, having fresh food that you can grow in your backyard would be ideal. However, not all of us have the luxury of growing food or domesticated animals in our backyard, especially if you live in urban areas.
Good old canned goods should definitely be in your pantry as canned goods can definitely last for decades (not that we want SHTF situations to stay with us for decades).
There are certain types of dry goods that, if stored well, can have indefinite shelf life. We thought of sharing some of these food items that our friends at PreppersWill.com wrote about.
Below are the survival food items that you should have stored in your pantry as these have indefinite shelf life:
The following survival foods should be found in every pantry and here is why.
1. Bouillon cubes
These tightly packed dehydrated cubes of vegetables, meat stock fat and seasonings can last for ages if properly stored. As survival foods, they have many advantages because one could quickly turn them into a soup or broth, you could take them with you on the road and they add flavor to your other survival foods such as rice, beans or pasta. To make sure bouillon cubes last for decades, make sure you vacuum seal them to prevent moisture from reaching the package.
2. Beans
Beans have many health benefits, they have a cheap price and you can grow them in your garden without much hassle. When it comes to survival foods, some preppers know about the benefits of beans and are already stockpiling these legumes like there is no tomorrow. You might not feel comfortable about eating them for a long period of time, but keep in mind that beans are a good source of amino acids. Like most stored foods, beans should be stored in the absence of oxygen and light and if you pack them properly you shouldn’t worry about beans going bad.
3. Salt
On every survival foods list we will find salt, although it is not actually a food. This mineral will never spoil and it can be used both as a seasoning and food preservative. When storing certain items, one knows that stockpiling is not only about the main use of the item, but also about its alternative uses. Here is where salt really stands out and besides enhancing the taste of your food, you can also use it to:
- Clean cast iron skillets and pots
- As toothpaste replacement
- Soothe sore throats
- Prevent mold
- Scaling fish
- Relieving bee stings
4. Baking soda
Another item that may seem unusual to find on your survival foods list, but if you do a little research you will understand why baking soda is recommended to have it in your pantry. Besides using it as a leavening agent in baking, it can also be used as a house cleaner, antacid, deodorant, household cleaner and even a fire extinguisher. To make it last forever, you would need to vacuum seal it to prevent moisture from reaching it.
5. Rice
Rice is one of the survival foods that become inedible only if bugs or other pets get into it. If you store it in an airtight container or in its original bag, you won’t have to worry about eating it 20 years from now. Few survival foods are as good as rice and there is no wonder that it is the world’s most widely consumed food on a daily bases. It provides one-fifth of human’s calorie intake and it should be on your survival foods list.
6. Honey
This is one of my favorite survival foods and I honestly don’t know what I would do without it in my life. I love honey and in time, I’ve learned about its many uses. I consider it as one of the most powerful survival foods and humans have been using it for thousands of years. It has so many survival uses that you can find entire books dedicated to it.
7. Powdered milk
Also known as dry milk, this is another item that you should consider for your survival foods stockpiling plans. This is milk that has been heated so the liquids evaporate so that its shelf life no longer becomes a problem. Just like all the other survival foods listed in this article, storing it properly is the key to success. Use airtight containers and place them in a cool, dry place.
8. Instant tea/coffee
Drinking tea is a healthy habit that has been around for more than 6,000 years and for good reason. Besides having to boil water to make it, hence getting rid of bacteria, tea is also one of the quickest way to help one dehydrate in an emergency situation. Coffee and caffeinated tea provide an additional boost of energy and help keeping you alert, while other types of tea have a calming and smoothing effect.
By the way, the above is not an exclusive list. A critical factor to keep in mind is that if you plan to store food for a long period of time, it is best that you are aware of the best ways to store these items to keep them as fresh as much as possible.
Head on to PreppersWill.com to read the complete list of survival food items that have indefinite shelf life.
