Storing Grains

Grains are considered the foundation of a food supply. It is recommended that half of your daily intake of grains is WHOLE so don't be afraid of the brown rice, oats, whole wheat, etc. When it comes to storing wheat a lot of people, I being one of them, get caught up by the whole wheat grinding process. Have no fear! Check out this post about wheat grinders and you can learn why there is no need to be intimadated. If it is just too much then there are other alternatives to using wheat without a grinder.

RICE

If unopened, optimum shelf life is 30 years. If opened will last indefinitely.

OATS

There are 2 types: quick rolled oats or regular rolled oats. Quick oats cook faster but regular oats retain flavor and nutrition better. For storing: if unopened, optimum shelf life is up to 8 years. If opened should be used within 1 year. It is recommend that you store large amounts in an airtight plastic container and pulling out a smaller amount every few months for your actual usage/rotation.

WHEAT

There are multiple types of wheat: spring or winter, hard or soft, red or white. Hard varieties have higher gluten (protein) and are better for making breads. Soft varieties have lower protein and nutrients but are better for pastries, pastas, and breakfast cereals. Red wheats are typically hard and whites are typically soft. However if you prefer the flavor of one over the other you can find soft red and hard white. Experiment with different varieties in your recipes to find out what works best for you. If unopened, optimum shelf life is 12 years or more. If opened will last about 3 years. However, once ground into flour, wheat loses most of its nutrients within a few days so only grind small amounts at a time. You can add oxygen absorbers, bay leaves, or dry ice to help keep critters out of your wheat.

PASTA

You can store any type of pasta you like to use, the main ones sold in bulk are macaroni and spaghetti so they are convenient for long-term storage. If unopened, optimum shelf life is 8-10 years. If opened will last about 2 years. If you buy it in plastic bags it is recommend that you transfer the pasta to airtight plastic containers for better storage.

ENRICHED WHITE FLOUR

There are 2 types: bleached or unbleached. Both have had their bran and germ portions removed and are “enriched” by adding back some of the lost nutrients. Bleached has been treated with chlorine, while unbleached is aged and bleached naturally by oxygen in the air. When stored, if unopened, optimum shelf life is 5 years. If opened will last about 6-8 months.