Zimbabwe' No.1 Food & Recipe Website

Find a recipe

Browse by Recipe Type: Antipasto , Baking , Beef , Braai , Bread , Burgers , Cheese , Chicken , Chocolate , Cocktails , Cookies , Curry , Deep Fried , Dessert , Dip , Drinks , Eggs , Fish , Ham , Healthy , Ice Cream , Jam , Kebab , Lamb , Marinade , Non alcoholic drink , Pasta , Pastry , Pickle , Pizzas , Pork , Pudding , Rice , Salad , Salad Dressing , Salsa , Sandwiches , Sauces , Seafood , Soup , Stuffing , Tarts , Veggie , Wraps

Shelf Life: Groceries

Posted On : 12 September 2014 | Category : All Hints & Tips, Tips & Hints

General shelf lives for common items:

Flour unopened: up to 12 months. Opened: 6-8 months.

Sugar unopened: 2 years. Sugars do not spoil but eventually may change flavour.

Icing sugar unopened: 18 months.

Solid shortening unopened: 8 months. Opened: 3 months.

Cocoa unopened: indefinitely. opened: 1 year.

Whole spices: 2-4 years. Whether or not opened.

Ground spices: 2-3 years. Whether or not opened.

Paprika, red pepper and chili powder: 2 years

Baking soda unopened: 18 months. Opened: 6 months.

Baking powder unopened: 6 months. Opened: 3 months.

Cornstarch: 18 months. Whether or not opened.

Dry pasta made without eggs unopened: 2 years. Opened: 1 year.

Dry egg noodles unopened: 2 years. Opened: 1-2 months.

Salad dressing unopened: 10-12 months. Opened: 3 months if refrigerated.

Honey: 1 year. Whether or not opened.

Ground, canned coffee unopened: 2 years. Opened: 2 weeks, if refrigerated.

Jams, jellies and preserves unopened: 1 year. Opened: 6 months if refrigerated.

Peanut butter unopened: 6-9 months. Opened: 2-3 months.