The Two Foods In Your Pantry That Never Expire

Usually, I don’t really put too much thought into buying sugar and salt because they’re cheap and―as frequently as they’re used in day-to-day life―they don’t run out very fast. They’re better to buy in bulk so that you always have them on hand. They’re pantry staples for a reason. But have you ever thought about why we can buy them en masse, yet they never expire? Left unattended, they can hold their own, but what makes that possible? Here’s everything you need to know about the two white crystalline substances that keep the culinary world afloat.  

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Why Don’t They Expire?

Salt and sugar, undisturbed, have an infinite lifespan. In salt’s case, it doesn’t expire because it is a pure, single-mineral substance. Sugar, on the other hand, must be extracted from sugar cane plants to reach its crystalline state. After that, both substances are not only devoid of water making them shelf-stable, but they actually absorb moisture from the air and act like a natural antimicrobial preservative since they are hygroscopic. If there are any bacteria in the salt or sugar containers, their hygroscopic nature absorbs the water from the bacteria causing them to die.  

Sugar and salt can both still degrade, however. This can be the result of a few things, but it’s mainly caused by being stored poorly or having additives like iodine or anti-caking agents. According to Morton Salt, it is best to use most salt within 5 years of purchase for best quality. That is not to say that it becomes dangerous―just that the salt won’t be optimal for use. Visually, deteriorated salt is clumpy. At this point, it has lost nutrients and will not have an ideal flavor. Sugar behaves similarly. In its older age it may not be spoiled, but it isn’t in perfect condition to perform well. Sugar can absorb odors from your pantry and get too clumpy to use easily. 

When To Throw Them Out

The expiration date for both salt and sugar has to do with the package it’s sold in. Certain containers start to degrade in and of themselves over extended periods of time. Plastic and cardboard containers break down over time and they not only can lose structural integrity, but they can begin to leach chemicals into the substance it holds. If you find an old container of salt or sugar and think it’s old―but it is reasonably within its expiration date―you’re almost guaranteed to be okay unless it looks clumpy, discolored, or contaminated. Because of container lifecycles and the already extensive expiration dates, if your salt or sugar is past date, it’s a good idea to toss it.