The proven health benefits of honey
Photos: Eight foods that (nearly) last forever
Honey is low in water and high in sugar, so bacteria cannot grow on it. It also contains small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, inhibiting the growth of microbes.
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Photos: Eight foods that (nearly) last forever
Drying legumes increases their sugar concentration and lowers their water content, making it hard for bacteria and mold to grow on them. Any enzymes that would break them down after harvest are put into suspended animation.
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Photos: Eight foods that (nearly) last forever
Thanks to its salt content and fermentation, soy sauce can last years in an unopened container.
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Photos: Eight foods that (nearly) last forever
Vinegar is typically fermented with a certain type of bacteria, giving it an acidic nature that means other bacteria struggle to grow in it.
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Photos: Eight foods that (nearly) last forever
A low temperature and a lack of oxygen appear key to white rice's longevity. The brown version has a shorter shelf life.
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Photos: Eight foods that (nearly) last forever
Dark chocolate seems to last longer than milk chocolate, though fats can rise to the surface and give it a moldy appearance
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Photos: Eight foods that (nearly) last forever
Stored away from moisture in an airtight container, sugar will last indefinitely.
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Photos: Eight foods that (nearly) last forever
Like sugar, salt draws out water, so any bacteria that try to grow on it will simply shrivel. Additives such as iodine might reduce the shelf life, however.
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