Bread- NEVER store bread on top of your fridge because the heat from it will dry out the loaf and the humidity will cause it to mould prematurely. Keep store bought bread in its original plastic bag and place it in a cool and dry spot away from sunlight. If you have a loaf of homemade bread, ensure that it has fully cooled before packaging. Allow it to cool on a wire rack to avoid getting the bottom of the loaf soggy. DO NOT slice the bread in advance, as it will dry out faster.

Fresh bread should be stored in a paper or reusable bread bag instead of a plastic bag. It can also be wrapped in wax paper, beeswax or linen paper, or with a dishtowel. It should be kept in a cool and dry location. Breadboxes can also effectively store either store bought or homemade loaves. Interestingly, bread goes stale faster in the refrigerator than at room temperature. However, you can extend the shelf-life of bread by wrapping it in foil, storing it in a freezer bag or container, and then placing it in the freezer. When you would like to eat it, simply defrost the loaf in the fridge so it doesn’t go soggy.

Cereal- Store unopened cereal boxes in a cool, dark, and dry location. Once bag is opened, transfer the cereal to an airtight container. You will know if cereal is no longer good if it tastes stale or rancid. You can try bringing stale cereal back to life by placing it on a baking sheet and cooking it at 350F for 10-15 minutes. It should become crunchy again!

Cookies- If you have baked your own cookies, you should allow them to fully cool before storing. Different types of cookies should be stored separately.

If they are soft cookies, place them in a single layer in an airtight container. You can add a piece of bread to the container to absorb dry air. This will help the cookies to stay soft. This kind of cookie can stay in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for 3 months.

Crispy cookies (e.g. shortbread) can be stored in multiple layers in a cookie jar. If you are worried about them bunching together, you can separate layers with a piece of parchment paper. Air circulation will aid in keeping the texture of these cookies firm.

Crackers- Crackers are meant to be dry, so avoiding moisture is important to maintaining their freshness. Once opened, store crackers in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot in your cupboard or pantry. Crackers have gone bad if they smell sour or fishy, or if they are stale.

Dried Beans- Store in a cool and dry location. Avoid heat and high humidity to help maintain freshness. Once package has been opened, pour beans into a container and seal it with a lid. DO NOT use a metal container. Dried beans can keep for up to one year.

Dried Fruit- Place in an airtight container to prevent moisture and bacteria growth. Store in the fridge or freezer.

Dried Spices- Store opened spices in airtight glass jars that are appropriate in size. If there is too much air space inside the container, the spice will spoil faster. Therefore, smaller jars are ideal. Also, select jars that are darker in colour to protect spice from sunlight. Buy spices in smaller quantities so that you can actually use them up. You will know if your spices have gone bad if they have lost their vibrant colour, if they have loss some of their smell, or if you need to use more in a dish to give it flavour. Typically, whole spices will last 2 to 3 years when stored properly. Ground spices will last up to one year.