If you asked Bob how to store whole grains, he'd tell you to buy an extra fridge. Put it next to your regular fridge and fill it with all of your whole grains. Most of us don't have the ability to add an extra fridge to our lives. Even if someone gave me a free fridge and offered to pay the increase in my electrical bill, I couldn't
fit a second fridge into my kitchen. Excepting those who are able to have a fridge or freezer with spare room, the rest of us are stuck scratching our heads and hoping our grains will be fine. Here's a rundown on where to store whole grains. I hope it will give you some insight and inspiration for your own kitchen and maybe free up a little room in your freezer.
Whole grains are best kept in the fridge or freezer to prevent rancidity. True. They are. This is more important when a grain has been broken up in some way, be it milled into flour, cracked into cereal, or flaked like oatmeal. Whole grains themselves (brown rice, wheat berries, quinoa, etc.) are more shelf stable that we think. Some of these grains can last many years without going rancid. That's how nature made them. Most whole grains that have been broken up in some way will last up to two years, sometimes longer, without spoiling.
Here is a quick breakdown of where to store products.
- Whole Grains (wheat berries, brown rice, quinoa, millet, etc) used once a month: room temp
- Whole Grains used less than once a month: freezer
- Dried Beans: room temp
- Flour, Cereals, Cracked Grains used once a week: room temp
- Flour, Cereals, Cracked Grains used less than once a month: fridge or freezer
- Baking Mixes: room temp or fridge, do not freeze
- Refined Grains, Flours and Cereals (white flour, white rice, etc): room temp
- Items that should always be kept in the fridge or freezer:
-
- Almond Meal
- Hazelnut Meal
- Coconut Flour
- Wheat Germ
- Rice Bran
- Flaxseed Meal (whole seeds are fine at room temp)
- Hemp Seeds
- Active Dry Yeast (do not freeze)
I recommend airtight containers for everything, but, at the very least, use airtight containers for things left at room temperature. Bugs love whole grains and nothing keeps a bug out quite like a mason jar. Plus, mason jars filled with whole grains and beans are very pretty and make a lovely addition to your decor. You can make your own labels like we did with the display above, or cut out labels from our bag and adhere them to your jars.
I hope this has been helpful. Do you have any insights from your kitchen on how to best store grains?
Whole grains are best kept in the fridge or freezer to prevent rancidity. True. They are. This is more important when a grain has been broken up in some way, be it milled into flour, cracked into cereal, or flaked like oatmeal. Whole grains themselves (brown rice, wheat berries, quinoa, etc.) are more shelf stable that we think. Some of these grains can last many years without going rancid. That's how nature made them. Most whole grains that have been broken up in some way will last up to two years, sometimes longer, without spoiling.
Here is a quick breakdown of where to store products.
Thank you for your kind words. We have not heard of making apricot kernel meal, but we'll pass along the request. I always thought they had some negative effects, but perhaps that is peaches. We do not sell the labels, but if we do start in the future, I'll let you know. We just whipped them up for this post.
I would be careful storing glass jars in the freezer, but I've never had any issues with doing so.
Are the instructions for storage once the grain has been opened or just in general.
Thank you
The flax should be fine. Stores usually move through it quickly enough to keep it at room temp. If it smells sour, though, it's probably rancid.
Quinoa Flour
Coconut Flour
Almond Meal Flour
As noted, they are all unopened but we've had them stored in the cabinet for a couple months.
It's possible, but you're going to have to open them and smell. Quinoa flour will smell funky anyway, but if it smells sour, don't use it. Coconut flour should have a slight, sweet coconut smell- again, if it smells sour, don't use it. Almond flour, this is the one with the highest risk of rancidity- if it smells off, don't use it. If it smells sweet and almondy- it's good to go.
Is there any risk of the wheat germ going rancid during that period?
Is it best to keep the wheat germ in the refrigerator or freezer? Does freezing it impact nutritional benefits?
Thanks
Drg
Ps we love all your products
There should be minimal risk of your wheat germ going rancid in that short amount of time. Storing it in the fridge should be just fine to keep it fresh.
Could you clarify for me the "Sale By Date".....Is this to be understood to be the same as "Best By Date"?
Paula
Does the "sell by date" mean the same as "best by date"?
this may be duplicate sorry.
Paula
I'm sorry, but these were just mock labels. We do not have these available to send to you. We're happy you like them, though!
Question: why are there 2 dates stamped in package of Muesli?
One use by date...then numbers and another date on second line.
Thank you
Thank you,
Karen
However, I asked the same question yesterday and got taken to an entirely different page where it said that the question may be answered by other consumers.
I cannot find that page today (though now it doesn't matter).
I tried to see what was on the blog several times, but the links appeared broken and clicking on from most pages takes you nowhere.
I don't think it is my computer since it's pretty new, but, of course, always a possibility.
I would suggest that you have this whole site gone over by someone to check the mapping and all the links though. My thinking is that there are several areas that need reconnecting to the whole.
I've just tried the steel-cut oats for the first time as I've always had stone-ground before. It's not so usual to see the steel-cut here in Canada, but I (and my parrot) are really enjoying them. Great product.
we are looking forward to buy teff, It would be a big help to know the shelf life of teff.
Please let us know what is the shelf life of:
- Teff Flour
- Whole grain
Also, what wheat germ smell like, if any. Please reply. Thanks.
I purchased a large bag of your wheat bran from Walmart (I believe it was Walmart) and two recently from Shoprite. When I opened them, they all had an off smell- like food going bad. I'm guessing they are rancid. I kept one to use and threw the others away.
Can you tell me where I can buy your wheat bran that is not already rancid.
tks
Where can I get those labels that are on the storage jars on the photo above? That would be great for our storage needs.
Thanks!
btw the reason I guess for not using it fast enough is that I just suddenly got into a huge variety of grains and I am getting spelt einkorn, millet and more as well as my usual rice, wheat and oats. Somehow I didn't get around to finishing the kamut. I pulled it out today and would like to use it up so I can get more fresh. But if it is bad I guess I can put it into the compose.
The opened bag I am using now, can I put them in a mason jar & keep at room temperature??
The unopened bag can go in the freezer until I’m ready to use, but once opened & out of freezer can it just be put in mason jar & kept at room temperature? Or once they’re frozen, do I put them back in freezer after opening?? Thanks!!
I have two questions:
1) Does it matter about moisture in the air INSIDE the jar, especially as the jar gets used?
2) Would it help to put the jars inside a second box (I only do this in the freezer)?
When you take something out, especially in the summer, condensation occurs everywhere. Also, the air is often very humid and will get into the jar I use.
Any comments or tips about this would be helpful, even if it is only to reassure me that my method is ok.
Thanks
Thank you. ☺
I am having a hard time figuring out how long they last.... some sites say 10 years, others say 6 months.
Can either of them still be used?
It has been refrigerated and is unopened.
Can I still use?
Thanks for your help.
Nilda Mager
I wanted to know if Farine can be put in the freezer? Look forward to receiving your response.
Happy Holidays!