Pasta is one of the snacks loved by children, which is prepared with unleavened wheat flour dough. People prepare it by mixing water and eggs. Several types of shapes are available in the market, which tempts the kids to eat. If you know the storing conditions of pasta, it will last fresh for a minimum of 25 years. In this article, you’ll get to know how to store them properly for effective use.
How to Store Dry Pasta Long Term (At least 25 years)
Pasta is a staple food in Italian Cuisine. It’s prepared by boiling or baking. Sometimes wheat flour is replaced with rice flour, beans, or lentils to get a different taste. Pasta is available in different shapes: short tubes, long tubes, flat shapes, elbow-shaped, and many miniature shapes.
Pasta is available in two forms – Fresh pasta and dry pasta.
Fresh pasta is prepared either by hand or by simple machines, and dry pasta is prepared commercially on a long scale.
Dry pasta is one of the best storage foods to use in emergencies. Even without specific storage conditions, it will stay longer because it has a long shelf life.
After creating a suitable environment for pasta by protecting it from moisture, it can last for approximately 10 years.
Even gluten-free pasta, egg pasta, and flavored pasta have a long shelf life. But depending on the ingredients used, the product will go bad sooner. In a good environment, it will stay fresh for many years.
Maybe you have a doubt about why the pasta will go bad. Let us look into this in the below section.
Why Does Pasta Get Spoiled?
Dry pasta contains no moisture, so the formation of bacteria and molds does not take place. Hence, it is safe to consume for many years after the expiry date. But there are a few conditions that will affect the dry pasta.
- 1. If you store the pasta in warm conditions, bacteria and mold formation takes place on the pasta. This usually looks like dark greenish spots on the pasta.
- 2. When exposed to air, oxygen will destroy the nutrients. You can consume them, but they won’t provide any nutrients to the pasta.
- 3. Some flavored pasta contains lots of natural oils which go rancid when exposed to air and humid temperatures.
- 4. If you store the dry pasta in a plastic container, it will absorb the chemicals, plastic glues, and packaging material and alter the taste of the pasta.
Pasta Types with Their Shelf Life
Let us know the pasta type and the shelf value.
#1 Semolina Pasta
It will stay fresh for a minimum of 2 to 10 years in the pantry if no special storage environment is created.
#2 Egg Pasta
It will stay fresh for at least 2 years. After that, the decolorization takes place by losing the nutritional values. It also tends to absorb the air’s odors, impurities, and contaminants.
#3 Vegetable Pasta
Flavored pasta will stay for at least 2 years without any specific storage. After that, it may discolor and lose its nutritional value.
#4 Whole-Grain Pasta
Eating for less than a year will be safe because the natural oils in the pasta react and go rancid. You can still consume the paste, but the taste will be unpleasant.
#5 Gluten-Free Pasta
It will last for more than 2 years. Since the gluten-free pasta is prepared from natural oils, it causes the pasta to decay in warm temperatures.
How To Store Pasta Long Term?
You will know the suitable environment for storing the dry pasta for the long term in this section.
Separate the pasta from its original Packaging
If you prefer to store the pasta long-term, separate it from its original cover. Studies show that manufacturers provide the product with a cover that readily absorbs moisture, heat, odors, and contaminants. So, to preserve the taste of the pasta, it is better to shift to another container.
Transfer the Pasta to the Right Containers
It is better to shift the airtight container to store the pasta for long-term use. Several options with this feature are available in the market; let’s know about each in detail.
#1 Mylar Bags
It is the best container for storing any long-term food. It protects the food from moisture and air and keeps it fresh for a long time. You can get it for the lowest price, which is available in different sizes. Storing in Mylar bags is the most economical and feasible way to keep the products fresh.
#2 Jars/Containers
Use jars or containers with tight lids, so air will not pass through them. These are good when you prefer storing a smaller quantity of food. Don’t use glass jars with lids as they may break easily. Also, avoid using the recycling jars with threaded lids since pests or moths may find a provision to enter the jar.
#3 Buckets
To store pasta in larger quantities, prefer using large buckets. To prevent air from entering the bucket, fix a gasket lid to the bucket. So, the air will not enter it and protect the food from moisture and air.
#4 Oxygen Absorbers
The name itself says that they will absorb the oxygen from the air. The iron filling is packed in small packets and placed in an absorber bag to get this done. So, a chemical reaction takes place and absorbs the oxygen and leaves your food fresh by increasing the shelf life.
#5 Store in A Cool and Dry Place
To keep your pasta fresh for a long time, always store it in a cool and dry place. Avoid storing them near the water heater, filters, stoves, washing machines, and coolers which produce heat and damage the shelf life.
Conclusion
In this article, you may come to know how to store dry pasta for long-term use. Before storing, investigate the pasta brand you and your family like deeply. Try with small packets and check their taste. If everyone in the family is comfortable, then prefer buying them. Else investing in the wrong brand will lose your money and the product. So always prefer to get the best pasta packet at an affordable price using discount coupons.
After buying, store the pasta away from heat, light, moisture, oxygen, and pests. This will help you in the long-term storage of your loved flavored pasta. To add taste to your pasta, have a piece of knowledge on the type of sauces and flavors that will add additional taste to your dish.