Post by shinester on Dec 13, 2016 2:18:32 GMT 10
The following is an anecdotal example of a food storage cache being opened, tried and eaten. These kinds of test I highly value as they illustrate useful information for us preppers that is often ignored by shelf life information because products aren't at their 'peak'. You can see the storage conditions were 'very' basic, much less than most of us do, just thrown into a bin inside a plastic bag, hardly trying at all. Reminds me of my own early storage that I still have lol. 9 years storage is a decent amount of time and my own aim is for about 10 years with my food, though I will keep any food that's still ok past that. The original site is in German so I'm giving you [and me] the translated version, some words may be a little different consequently.
The reason for it?
Further info
Initial cache 2003
5 years of storage 2008
7 years of storage 2010
9 years of storage 2012
The 'lenses' are obviously lentils and seem to be holding up well which is good to know. I've had some issues with beans previously drying out [still edible] that took a longer time to cook and since I like to provide the fuel in my packs these days I'm not a huge fan of beans. The Raisins and the biscuits are interesting.
No surprises there for me, though always good to get 'real' confirmations.
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I've heard of flour being ok and sure enough, there it is. Sugar of course will last practically forever, the lemon tea a surprise and the oil... now that's VERY interesting. He seems to be equating opened oil for 3 months with this one stored for 9 years. In some ways that makes sense as it's sealed and little to no new oxygen enters though it's certainly a surprise and on super cheap oil at that! My biggest issue and costs are oil in my own storage and packs, makes me want to store rapeseed oil [canola oil] for 5 years and just replace it. I've been using ghee which is about $20 for 2L [extended to 70 days and that's not ideal] versus canola oil which would be about $4.40. Being so cheap I'd be ahead if I replaced it every 5 years [maybe 10] anyhow, just keep it near the top to pull it out and replace.
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So there you go, some low cost survival food that has stood the test of time, hasn't been stored like a prepper and is still quite edible and enjoyable. From this I have some renewed confidence in food storage and some additional items that I'll probably consider adding to my own storage, flour and oil are the two that come to mind here, both cheap and both useful ingredients particularly if you throw in some baking powder, baking soda or yeast for bread.
The reason for it?
To bridge temporary bad times, inventories can be very helpful.
Whether it is a quarantine due to an epidemic or an acute financial hole - if you do not have any supplies in the house, you are hungry.
With a large supply you can even make longer periods of emergency easier.
Whether it is a quarantine due to an epidemic or an acute financial hole - if you do not have any supplies in the house, you are hungry.
With a large supply you can even make longer periods of emergency easier.
Initial cache 2003
5 years of storage 2008
7 years of storage 2010
9 years of storage 2012
The 'lenses' are obviously lentils and seem to be holding up well which is good to know. I've had some issues with beans previously drying out [still edible] that took a longer time to cook and since I like to provide the fuel in my packs these days I'm not a huge fan of beans. The Raisins and the biscuits are interesting.
No surprises there for me, though always good to get 'real' confirmations.
-----------------------------------
I've heard of flour being ok and sure enough, there it is. Sugar of course will last practically forever, the lemon tea a surprise and the oil... now that's VERY interesting. He seems to be equating opened oil for 3 months with this one stored for 9 years. In some ways that makes sense as it's sealed and little to no new oxygen enters though it's certainly a surprise and on super cheap oil at that! My biggest issue and costs are oil in my own storage and packs, makes me want to store rapeseed oil [canola oil] for 5 years and just replace it. I've been using ghee which is about $20 for 2L [extended to 70 days and that's not ideal] versus canola oil which would be about $4.40. Being so cheap I'd be ahead if I replaced it every 5 years [maybe 10] anyhow, just keep it near the top to pull it out and replace.
------------------
So there you go, some low cost survival food that has stood the test of time, hasn't been stored like a prepper and is still quite edible and enjoyable. From this I have some renewed confidence in food storage and some additional items that I'll probably consider adding to my own storage, flour and oil are the two that come to mind here, both cheap and both useful ingredients particularly if you throw in some baking powder, baking soda or yeast for bread.
