Don’t Worry! These Thirteen Unique Foods Come Without An Expiration Date

8. Pure vanilla extract

Since pure vanilla extract contains alcohol, it helps prolong its shelf life. It’s important that it’s pure vanilla extract, though. Imitation vanilla extract doesn’t have as much alcohol as its pure counterpart does. So as long as your extract is pure and properly sealed so no bacteria can find its way into the bottle, you can look forward to all the vanilla you want—that is, at least until you run out. (Did you know vanilla extract can work as a natural home deodorizer?)

9. Uncooked White Rice

Regardless of whether you store your uncooked white rice in the pantry, the refrigerator, or the freezer, you’ll never need to replace it. According to Still Tasty, “White, wild, Arborio, jasmine and basmati rice all have an indefinite shelf life when kept free from contaminants. The exception is brown rice—thanks to its higher oil content, it won’t keep nearly as long.” However, if the rice is cooked and you plan on having it as leftovers for later, you might be susceptible to food poisoning.

10. Soy Sauce

The consensus seems to be that it depends on the type and which additives a particular brand uses, but when left unopened, soy sauce will last a very long time. Even after it has been opened, the salty condiment can keep for years in your refrigerator.

11. Pure Maple Syrup

A Guide to Food Storage for Emergencies by Utah State University lists pure maple syrup along with other commercial sugars (like honey and granular sugars) as having an indefinite shelf life “due to their resistance to microbial growth, including molds.” The Massachusetts Maple Producers Association agrees that unopened maple syrup will last forever, but they also provide consumers with instructions should molding occur: “If any harmless mold should form on the surface, merely bring the syrup to a slight boil, skim the surface, and pour into a clean container and refrigerate.”

12. Powdered Milk

The taste isn’t quite as good, but one of the main reasons that powdered milk exists is because it lasts longer. It is also easier to transport and store than fresh milk.

13. Pemmican

Invented by Native American tribes, pemmican is still a favorite of survivalists looking for a long-lasting source of protein. Original recipes included dried meat from big game animals like elk or buffalo, which was ground into a powder and mixed with available berries and rendered fat. The finished pemmican could then be eaten raw, stewed, or fried. Today, recipes for pemmican are often slightly modified, given food safety and dietary concerns and available ingredients, but some still swear by the superfood’s staying power.

Credits: rd.com  mentalfloss.com