How to Properly Store Whole Grains: A Beginner's Guide

How to Properly Store Whole Grains: A Beginner's Guide

Rice, quinoa, flax and rolled oats have become everyday pantry items used to make weekly meals. Grains, like most foods, are perishable. However, if stored correctly, their shelf life can be extended, keeping your kitchen pantry fresher than ever. If you enjoy grains regularly and wonder how to keep your favorite foods fresh, then this is the article for you. This article will discuss the most common kitchen grains and how to store them properly. We'll also help you self-check if your grains have gone bad. Continue reading to learn more about proper grain storage and all that it entails.

Tips for Storing Grains

Label Your Grains

Several grains boast a similar texture, look and taste. These similarities make it hard to tell the difference between the grains in your kitchen, especially if you regularly purchase grains from bulk bins. When storing any type of grain, it's essential to label it first. Labeling grains will keep you organized and help guarantee your grains are correctly stored.

Rotate Grains Often

If you have a full pantry or stock up on several grains at once, you will want to rotate them regularly. Alternating grains in your pantry will help you remember which ones you've already purchased and allow you to create meals of greater variety.

Check the Humidity and Temperature Levels in Your Home

Humidity and heat play a significant role in how long grains last. By determining which areas of your kitchen are the most humid, hot and cold, you can better decide where each grain should be stored. If you find that your kitchen is a bit too moist for optimum grain storage, there are a few things you can do to dry it out. Windows, fans, houseplants and rock salt are just a few ways you can boost room ventilation and decrease the humidity of a space.

How to Properly Store Whole Grains

Bowl of kamut grains When discussing whole grains, there are two main types: hard grains and soft grains. Generally, hard grains have a longer shelf life than soft grains. However, each will remain fresh for long periods if stored properly. When determining how to store grains correctly, there are a few things that affect their shelf life: most notably, heat, moisture, air and insects. Staying mindful of these factors and knowing the proper care for each grain will help ensure that your grains remain as fresh as possible.

Hard Grains

Hard grains are a lot tougher than soft grains. This is because hard grains have a thick outer shell that helps protect the seed inside. With the seed of hard grains better protected, they often keep for much longer than soft grains. When storing hard grains, it's essential to keep them out of high moisture environments. Doing so will prevent the hard grains from absorbing moisture, which can begin the process of germination.

Common Types of Hard Grains

Soft Grains

Unlike hard grains, soft grains don't have a hard outer shell to protect the seed from external factors like dirt, moisture and insects. This being so, they are more sensitive to water and high humidity climates. Like hard grains, if a soft grain seed is exposed to moisture, it will begin to germinate. When growing seeds, germination is a good thing. When storing seeds for freshness, it is not. During the germination process, the plant begins to take over the space where the seed used to live, leaving you with little to eat. Because of this, you'll want to make sure your soft grains are stored away from humidity. Due to their lack of hard outer shell, soft grains are highly susceptible to bugs, making airtight storage containers a must.

Common Types of Soft Grains

Use Proper Storage Containers

When storing both soft and hard grains, choose an airtight storage container with a tight lid. These containers will help prevent outside moisture and irritants from reaching your fresh grains. Additionally, you will want to keep the stored grains in a dark, cool and dry place. Dark cabinets or pantries are ideal for storing grains for extended amounts of timejust make sure they aren't too humid. If you run out of room in the pantry, grains can also be stored in the refrigerator. However, you'll want to use a tightly sealed container to prevent your grains from absorbing any of the moisture inside the fridge. Refrigerator storage is ideal for cooked grains. And if you'd like your cooked grains to store even longer, keep them in the freezer. In general, when storing both hard and soft grains, you want to ensure they are kept in a tightly sealed container away from sunlight, moisture and heat. All of these factors play a prominent role in early grain spoilage. To extend your grain's lifespan and your budget, follow the tips above and adjust your storage method based on the grain you've chosen.
Bob's Red Mill
May 20 2021

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