Most people buy flour in bulk and leave it unattended in the pantry for days and months, but do you ever check its expiry date?
There’s no denying that flour is believed to be a non-perishable ingredient, but for how long does it remain fresh?
Well, if you too find these questions confusing, then you need to stop and read this.
Can flour turn bad?
In most households, flour is the most essential kitchen ingredient, which is often purchased in bulk and some parts of it are packed in the canisters. But do you know opening a bag of flour and leaving it in wrong conditions can spoil its original taste and texture, and in some cases lead to development of pathogens.
How long can flour stay fresh?
Well, most flours are commercially packed in airtight bags/ containers and can only stay fresh for 2-3 months after opening the pack, if not stored in the right condition. Thus, to ensure that the flour in your pantry is fresh and fit to use, it is essential to store the flour in the right way. Here are some simple tips to store flour to retain the texture and taste.
Right way to store flour?
The best way to retain the freshness of flour right after opening the pack
By transferring it to a dry and airtight container, this way you can increase the shelf life of flour up to 2 years.
Make sure that you do not touch the flour with wet hands or transfer to a damp container and store it in a dry place. Moisture often spoils the taste, texture and leads to development of pathogens.
Refined flours and all purpose flour have better shelf life as compared to flour derived from nuts, grains. Flours like almond, oats and millet have a shelf life of around 1 year if stored properly.
