Whole wheat is considered by many, myself included, to be an ideal emergency food storage item because of its nutritional content and long shelf life (30+ years). But eating nothing but whole wheat for a whole year doesn’t sound appealing or healthy, for that matter. You need some variety – something to spice up the mundane.
Luckily, it’s actually quite easy to turn ordinary wheat into a feast. Just add a few additional ingredients that are easy to find and store. Here are a few examples:
• Baking powder (usually lasts for many years, but its effectiveness declines over time, so be sure to switch it out every two years or so)
• Powdered milk (as long as it is stored in a cool, dry environment, it can be stored for many years)
• Molasses (depending on how well it’s sealed in a container, it should be good for at least two years)
• Honey (can be stored indefinitely if it has some water and sugar in it, but pure honey crystalizes and loses some flavor over time)
• Peanut butter powder (can last up to five years and provides a great spread for wheat bread)
• Dried fruit (most fruits start to go bad after five years, so keep an eye on them)
• Salt and sugar (common items like these are easy to take for granted, but it’s important to have them on hand. They can last 30+ years)
With various combinations of these ingredients, you can make muffins, biscuits, cereal, bread (of course), pancakes and waffles (provided you have access to fresh eggs), and many other healthy foods.
When it comes to food storage, a little creativity goes a long way. Take a look at your regular diet and personal tastes, and find the ingredients that will best suit your needs. There are plenty of food options with long shelf lives. You don’t have to face the prospect of boring meals when you have access to the right ingredients.
–Guest post from Derek Smith of Acorn Supplies