9 Foods That Won't Spoil (Slideshow)
Keep it dry, sealed, and bug-free and you can put those boxes of rice to use whenever the mood strikes way down the road. The only exception? Brown rice, as it is naturally oilier and will not keep as long.
Hard Liquor
If you receive a fine bottle of hard liquor for a holiday and want to save it for a special occasion, go right ahead. If it's left unopened and stored, it will completely safe to consume whenever you are ready to, though the aroma of the liquor may fade slightly. If you couldn't resist and had to open it? An industry standard is that the bottle will be good for about six to eight months.
Sugar
Because sugar (brown, confectioners', or granulated white) does not have the capacity to create an environment for bacterial growth, sugar can last indefinitely. The key is to keep it sealed and dry so it does not clump or harden.
Pure Vanilla Extract
Because of its alcohol content, pure vanilla extract abides by the same rules as hard liquor: sealed and stocked away, it is completely fine. So if you purchase far too much of it for the holiday season, consider yourself prepped for next year!
Honey
When honey is pure and kept tightly sealed, it can last forever. Honey may change color or crystallize over time, but you can still use it, according to the National Honey Board.
Salt
Salt, much like sugar, does not have the proper environment for bacterial growth and therefore will last you a long time. You can keep salt from clumping by keeping it dried and putting a few grains of uncooked rice at the bottom of the shaker!
Ghee
Used mostly in South Asian countries, this clarified butter can last decades when made correctly. In fact, it has been found — still edible — in tombs.
Sealed Soy Sauce
If you're someone who likes to stock up on soy sauce, do so with little worry. Because of its high salt content, soy will keep just fine for months without losing flavor, so long as it is sealed.
Distilled White Vinegar
Keep a tight cap on this product and vinegar will last you a lifetime. A popular base for many salads and even a popular cleaning agent, distilled white vinegar is perfectly durable when kept in a cool, dark place.