1. Cornstarch
Cornstarch will keep indefinitely if you store it dry in a dark place, preferably in a pantry. Be sure to always close the lid, then it will keep.
2. Tea
Tea stored in a dark, cool place will never spoil. Tea is durable if stored in a dark, cool, sealed place. However, all teas lose their flavor over time. If you drink tea for its health benefits, such as green tea, you should consume it within six months. However, black tea stored under optimal conditions can keep for up to three years before it is considered stale or expired. High-quality tea may have an even longer shelf life. It is good to know that loose tea has a greater chance of retaining its flavor for a longer period of time than tea bags because of the difference in leaf size. The more the tea leaves are crushed, the more oxygen they are exposed to, which also exposes the tea to unpleasant flavors.
3. Instant coffee
Instant coffee stored in the freezer will keep for decades.
Tightly sealed and stored in the freezer, instant coffee can last up to 20 years before tasting worn. Coffee beans will keep for up to nine months, and ground coffee beans will last no more than a few months past their expiration date before losing their flavor.
4. Pure vanilla extract
Can vanilla extract go bad? Not if it's pure! Vanilla extract must be pure to keep indefinitely. Imitation versions only keep for two to four years. To prevent vanilla extract from deteriorating too quickly, store it away from light and heat.
5. Vinegar of all kinds
If the lid is sealed, all types of vinegar will keep indefinitely, but when it comes to cooking, the sour taste can change over the years. Balsamic vinegar has an unlimited shelf life, but it is best to use it within three to four years.
Apple cider vinegar is best used within five years of opening. Red and white wine are guaranteed for two years, as is rice vinegar. White vinegar, on the other hand, can always be used for cooking or cleaning.
6. Honey never expires and can be kept for centuries.
Honey is so stable that experts have determined that it is still edible after being stored in tombs for thousands of years. Even if you do not find centuries-old honey appetizing, just warm it up and enjoy it when your jar has stood for a while and begins to crystallize.
7. Bouillon cubes
Bouillon cubes are a great substitute for stocks and soups and will keep for more than two years after opening. If you store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they can keep for another 18 months. Unopened or frozen, they can last more than a decade, but you might miss the flavor by then!