When we see “best before” or “expiry” labels on food packaging, our instinct is often to throw things away once the date passes. But in reality, some foods can last for years — even decades — without spoiling if stored properly.

Here are seven everyday items that defy time and remain safe (and delicious) long after their expiration dates.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA, 2024), “Best-by dates” often refer to quality, not safety. Properly stored pantry staples can stay edible long after the printed date.

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🍯 1️⃣ Honey — Nature’s Eternal Sweetener

Honey is one of the few natural foods that never truly spoils. Archaeologists have discovered jars of honey over 3,000 years old in Egyptian tombs — still perfectly edible.

The secret lies in its low water content and high sugar concentration, which create an environment where bacteria and fungi cannot grow. Honey also contains hydrogen peroxide and natural acids that preserve it indefinitely.

Keep honey in a tightly sealed glass jar, away from heat and moisture. Even if it crystallizes, don’t worry — simply place the jar in warm water to restore its liquid texture.

The National Honey Board (2023) confirms that honey stored under normal conditions “remains safe to eat indefinitely.”

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🍶 2️⃣ Rice Wine & Liquor — Better with Age

For centuries, people have said, “Good wine gets better with time.” The same holds true for distilled liquors and rice wines with an alcohol content above 10%.
Alcohol is a natural preservative, preventing microbial growth and oxidation.

If sealed properly and kept away from direct sunlight, high-proof spirits can last for decades, sometimes even improving in aroma and smoothness.

Harvard Health (2022) notes that alcohol above 10% ABV is self-preserving and does not require an expiration date.

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🧂 3️⃣ Salt — The Oldest Preservative in the World

Salt doesn’t spoil. In fact, it’s been used for thousands of years to preserve other foods. Pure sodium chloride is chemically stable and naturally resistant to microbial contamination.

Even if the packaging lists a “best before” date (usually for moisture control), salt stored in a dry, sealed container remains safe indefinitely.

The FDA considers refined salt a “shelf-stable food with an unlimited lifespan” if protected from humidity.

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🍶 4️⃣ Soy Sauce & Rice Vinegar — Flavor That Never Fades

Naturally fermented condiments like soy sauce and rice vinegar can last for years without spoiling, thanks to their high levels of salt and acidity.

These conditions inhibit bacterial growth, allowing them to remain safe for consumption even after the “best-by” date. Just make sure to:

• Store them in airtight bottles.

• Keep away from direct sunlight.

• Avoid contamination by not dipping utensils directly inside.

A 2023 study by the Journal of Food Science found that traditionally brewed soy sauces showed “no microbial growth” even after five years of storage at room temperature.

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🍊 5️⃣ Dried Tangerine Peel — Aging Gracefully Like Fine Tea

Known in Asia as “trần bì”, dried tangerine peel becomes more aromatic and medicinal with age.
The drying process removes moisture, while natural essential oils deepen over time, giving the peel a rich fragrance and mild bitterness that aids digestion.

When stored in a cool, dry, airtight container, this ancient herbal ingredient can last for decades — and in traditional Chinese medicine, older peels are often considered more valuable.

Pharmacognosy Research (2020) notes that aged citrus peels increase antioxidant potency over time due to essential oil maturation.

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🍵 6️⃣ Tea — Timeless Elegance in Every Leaf

Some teas — especially black tea, white tea, and Pu-erh — are known to improve with age. When kept away from light and humidity, tea leaves continue to oxidize slowly, developing a smoother, more complex flavor.

In China, vintage Pu-erh tea is traded like fine wine, with decades-old bricks selling for thousands of dollars.

To store tea properly:

• Keep in an airtight, opaque tin.

• Avoid strong odors and moisture.

According to the Tea Association of the USA, properly sealed tea “can remain drinkable indefinitely,” although the flavor may change over time.

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☕ 7️⃣ Coffee — Long-Lasting Energy in Every Bean

Properly roasted and dried coffee beans can outlast their printed expiration date by years.
Whole beans resist oxidation better than ground coffee, which loses aroma faster.

Store coffee in airtight containers, away from air, light, and humidity. Even if “expired,” it’s often still safe — though flavor may fade slightly.

Food Chemistry Journal (2022) states that coffee oils oxidize slowly and do not pose safety concerns if beans are stored below 25°C in low humidity.

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♻️ Final Tip: “Best By” ≠ “Spoiled”

Most shelf-stable foods have long lives beyond their packaging dates. What matters most is:
✅ Dryness
✅ Airtight storage
✅ No signs of mold, odor, or discoloration

USDA Food Safety Division (2024): “The majority of dry goods remain safe to eat well past their printed dates if properly stored.”

So before you throw out that “expired” jar of honey or salt, remember — it might still be perfectly good. Sometimes, age truly is a sign of quality.