Pantry

A pantry refers to a storage area or cabinet, usually near a kitchen, where non-perishable goods are stored. In addition to storing food, pantries are also used to store kitchen appliances and beverages.

Examples of foods that typically go in the pantry include:

• Dried fruits and nuts: These entail organic cranberries, almonds, raisins, and apricots.
• Canned fruits and vegetables such as green beans, corn, cranberry sauce, peaches, pineapples, and canned tomatoes
• Condiments and sauces such as organic soy sauce, mustard, and ketchup.
• Grains such as organic oats, quinoa, pasta, and rice
• Organic sweeteners such as maple syrup, organic honey, and agave nectar.
• Organic legumes such as beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas

As much as you love storing away items in a pantry, the truth is, not all foods can be stored in a pantry. Some food grows bacteria and some go stale. Such foods are best stored or kept under different conditions to not only maintain their quality but also ensure their safety.

Here are examples of foods you should not put in a pantry:

• Fresh meat: This is a no-brainer, right? I mean, you should only keep fresh meat in a freezer or refrigerator to prevent bacteria growth.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables: Do you want to keep your fruits and vegetables fresh for an extended period of time? A pantry is not the right place to keep them. A refrigerator should do the trick.
• Dairy products: We all know dairy products such as cheese and milk have a short lifespan. To keep them fresh, store them in a refrigerator. They will spoil pretty fast if stored in a pantry.

We can sum it up by saying that foods that spoil real quick are better off being stored in a freezer or refrigerator but never in the pantry. A pantry is good for dried foods and other products with a long lifespan.

There are indeed many items that you should never store in a pantry.

Here are the most common 12 items you shouldn’t store in a pantry:

1. Fresh break and baked goods
2. Fresh fruits and vegetables.
3. Fresh herbs and spices
4. Fresh flowers and plants
5. Dairy products
6. Fresh meats and fish
7. Medications and supplements.
8. Personal care products/cleaning products
9. Chocolate
10. Cold pressed oils
11. Fish sauce
12. Tamarind pods