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Cereal -

An opened box of cereal will go stale from air exposure after three months, but a sealed box should last up to a year. This can vary if it contains nuts, which are prone to rancidity.

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Nuts and seeds -

Nuts and seeds have a high amount of oil in them, and that oil will start to go rancid after a couple of months. For freshness and longevity, place them in a clear freezer bag and pop them in the fridge for up to a year.

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Dried herbs -

Dried herbs are items people store forever, and they shouldn't. The issue is not about food safety, but rather quality, as their intensity and flavor will vanish due to rancidity.

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Baking powder and baking soda -

Baking powder and baking soda will lose their leavening power over time, which will result in a sad cake! So make sure your ingredients are fresh before baking.

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Organic peanut butter -

Typical peanut butter can be kept in the pantry, but if yours is the organic kind, the oils will separate and turn rancid. Organic peanut butter needs to be kept in the fridge, just like other organic nut butters.

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Ketchup - Open condiments, like ketchup and mayo, can go bad in just weeks when left unrefrigerated. While refrigerated, ketchup should be consumed within one month if opened. For mayo, it's 10 to 12 weeks.

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Quinoa -

The shelf life of whole grains like quinoa is largely dependent on their fat content. Heat, air, and moisture are elements that can negatively affect their healthy oils, which causes them to pass their peak. Make sure you store them in well-isolated containers.

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Canned vegetables -

A common belief is that canned veggies can last a lifetime. But the longer they sit on your shelf, the more likely they'll start to break down and get a metallic taste from the can.

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Brown sugar -

An opened bag of brown sugar tends to dry up and harden after four months. This is due to the air exposure. It's best to store it in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container.

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Garlic -

Garlic is best stored in a dark, cool pantry for three to five months. When stored for too long, the garlic cloves may shrivel or begin to sprout. This indicates that it's no longer at its peak quality.

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Tea -

Tea bags should be consumed within a year, because the oils in the tea will go old and give your morning cup of tea a bad taste.

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Pure maple syrup -

Unlike syrup that’s only maple-flavored, pure maple syrup must be kept in the fridge to prevent mold from growing. You can even keep it in the freezer and it won't become solid.

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Graham crackers -

It's a no-brainer that an open pack should be kept in airtight containers to prevent moister. But even an unopened batch can get stale. They will typically stay fresh in your pantry for up to nine months.

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Jam and jelly -

Some people prefer having room temperature jam, but why take the chance of getting sick? Make sure to refrigerate after opening the jar, just like it says in the instructions.

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Cured meat -

Cured meats such as salami should never be kept in the pantry, and instead should be refrigerated in butcher paper. Studies have even found the presence of foodborne illnesses when kept out of cooler temperatures.

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Whole grain flour -

Whole grain flour shouldn't actually be stored in your pantry, as it turns rancid before white flour. Keep it fresh longer by storing it in the refrigerator or freezer. Whole grain flour lasts up to eight months in the fridge and up to a year in the freezer.

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Tamarind pods -

If stored in a pantry, tamarind pods can become fermented and uneatable. They should be stored wrapped in the refrigerator, for no longer than three months.

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Tomato sauce -

Your pantry might be stocked with tomato sauce you bought on sale, but when opened it needs to go in the fridge. This is because with time this item has fewer preservatives in it compared to when it first came out on the market.

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Coconut oil -

Just like oils in nuts and nut butters, coconut oil can eventually go rancid when stored at room temperature for too long. It's best to keep it in the fridge.

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Olive oil -

An opened bottle of olive oil can taste a bit off after six months. So if you don’t use olive oil often, only buy a small bottle to use before the flavor spoils.

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Beer -

Storing beer at room temperature isn't bad, but this can spoil it faster. Heat, light, and air can seep through the bottle caps after around four months.

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Bread -

If you store bread in the pantry, it will quickly become moldy. Bread will last much longer when placed in a plastic bag and refrigerated. You can then easily toast it as usual before eating it.

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Dijon mustard -

Even if Dijon mustard won't spoil if kept in the pantry, keeping it in the fridge removes any risk of it losing its delicious flavor.

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Potatoes -

Potatoes usually last for two months in your pantry. You'll know their time is up when they start growing sprouts and developing soft black spots on the skin.

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Candy -

It's difficult for candy to spoil, due to its low moisture content, but this can vary depending on the candy. But they can become hard to chew, which isn't very pleasant!

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Brown rice -

Even if brown rice is healthier than white rice, it doesn't last as long due to the oil in its bran layer. When that oil goes rancid, it gives brown rice a shorter shelf life of about six months.

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Coffee -

Coffee beans and grounds will go rancid after a while due to the oils getting old. You’re best off consuming beans and grounds within two to four weeks. For people drinking instant coffee, it's two months.

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Ground spices -

Ground spices like turmeric, nutmeg, and paprika loose potency after two to three years. And while it's not harmful to consume them, they won't add any real flavor to your meal.

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Chocolate syrup -

If left in the pantry, the flavor of your chocolate syrup will go bad. Due to the lack of preservatives, it needs to be stored in the fridge to maintain its freshness.

Sources: (Insider) (Food & Wine) (Reader's Digest) 

See also: Strange foods you won't believe people used to eat

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