Worried about nuclear war? Prepping for a pandemic? Or maybe you're just eating cheap? Either way, there's only one food you'll ever need to eat.
Category
🛠️
LifestyleTranscript
00:00Worried about nuclear war, prepping for a pandemic, or maybe you're just eating cheap?
00:05Either way, there's only one food you'll ever need to eat.
00:09A well-stocked pantry includes a number of basic ingredients that you should always have
00:14on hand.
00:15If you're a salt-of-the-earth survivalist or just someone who wants to keep a steady
00:18budget, you can't do much better than canned foods.
00:21Of course, you might be wondering what canned foods are best to stock up on and which have
00:26the longest shelf life.
00:27After all, no one wants to be stuck with cans of food that go bad before you even get to
00:31eat them.
00:32While all canned foods can last a good few years, canned meats and vegetables can last
00:37the longest.
00:38Surprisingly, canned meat can last on the shelf from 4 to 10 years, and canned vegetables
00:43can have a shelf life of 3 to 8 years.
00:46Certain dehydrated foods, such as carrots and corn, can last anywhere between 10 and
00:5125 years.
00:53And here are some foods that, with proper storage, can last you for as long as 30 or
00:57more years.
00:58Take beans, for example.
01:00According to many sources, canned, cooked beans last 5 years or longer, similar to other
01:11canned vegetables and legumes.
01:13However, researchers at Brigham Young University have found that canned, dried beans can last
01:18several times as long.
01:19They ran an experiment on the quality of dried beans after 30 years.
01:23The results showed that the beans had suffered some loss of quality, which was unavoidable
01:28due to the amount of time that passed, but that they were still perfectly acceptable
01:32to eat.
01:33The Provident Prepper also tested dried beans after 18 years.
01:37These dried beans were sealed in large cans, and they noted a sweet metallic smell after
01:42opening the cans.
01:43However, after the beans were rinsed, the smell, which is a product of long-term canning,
01:48quickly went away.
01:49The beans were able to be made into 15 different meals that the website claimed tasted delicious.
01:55How long beans last depends on how you store them.
01:58Utah State University has discussed the ideal conditions to store dried beans, for example.
02:03The key is eliminating oxygen contact.
02:06Either a number 10 can or a Mylar-type bag are best, but canning jars are also suitable
02:12for small quantities.
02:14Oxygen absorbers should also be used within the packaging, and the containers should be
02:17kept in a cool, dry, and dark place.
02:20Sudden changes in temperature or prolonged exposure to temperatures above 75 degrees
02:24Fahrenheit can cause spoilage.
02:27Many readily available dried beans make great candidates for long-term storage, including
02:31adzuki, kidney, black-eyed peas, and black and navy beans.
02:35Pinto beans have been the subject of multiple studies, so they're a sure bet, too.
02:40Split peas and lentils, though, not actually beans, are also great options.
02:45Beans will keep for up to 10 years, but their higher oil content means they will spoil more
02:50quickly than other types of beans.
02:52It's important to know how to recognize the signs of deterioration with canned foods,
02:56however.
02:57Severe rusting can cause tiny holes which sacrifice the integrity of the can, for example.
03:02You also need to look for signs that bacteria or yeast has grown inside the can.
03:07The warning signs include loose or bulging jar lids, leaking or dented cans, and bad
03:12smells.
03:13In the worst-case scenario, improperly canned foods could cause botulism.
03:17Botulism is caused by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum and can lead to paralysis, breathing
03:22difficulties, or even death.
03:24This bacteria causes no change in taste, sight, or smell of the canned food, but can be fatal
03:29even when consumed in small quantities.
03:32For this reason, it is very important to carefully inspect cans for signs of damage.
03:37Storing beans in a clean and proper way ensures you'll have plenty of food supply for years
03:41to come.
03:42And even better, the many amazing recipes you can rustle up with a can of beans means
03:46that whether you're hunkering down for a pandemic, hiding out in a bunker, or just focusing on
03:51frugality, you'll always have something delicious and nutritious to eat.