Popcorn kernels may seem to be an amazing meals to stockpile for emergencies. Nonetheless, popcorn is surprisingly one of many hardest meals to retailer long-term. Due to its moisture content material, you possibly can’t retailer it such as you would with different dry staples.
Right here’s what that you must learn about popcorn shelf life and the easiest way to retailer it.
Do Popcorn Kernels Go Unhealthy?
Popcorn kernels usually don’t go dangerous within the sense that they’ll develop into unsafe to eat. Nonetheless, it is extremely straightforward for popcorn kernels to get too dried out in storage. Even slight modifications in moisture content material may cause the kernels to not pop.
Why Lengthy-term Popcorn Kernel Storage Is So Tough
To grasp why popcorn kernel storage is so troublesome, you first want to know what makes popcorn pop.
Popcorn kernels encompass a really arduous hull with a moist starchy inside. Once you warmth the kernel, the moisture begins turning into steam. This creates plenty of strain which causes the hull to pop open. When it does, the inflated starchy inside goes to the skin.
Modifications to the Popcorn Kernel Moisture Imply It Gained’t Pop
Researchers have established that the right moisture stage for popcorn is roughly 14%. If the popcorn kernel will get too dry inside, there received’t be sufficient moisture to create that strain buildup.
Likewise, any harm to the hull means the strain received’t construct up within the popcorn kernel. The hull can simply get cracks when it turns into too dry or experiences modifications in moisture ranges. (1, 2)
Fats Content material Is Additionally a Downside
One other concern with popcorn kernel storage is its high-fat content material. Unpopped corn kernels have a fats composition of roughly 3.2-4.6%. By comparability, raw entire grain rice has a fats content material of 4.7%.
When uncovered to oxygen, fat begin to oxidize and go rancid. Rancid meals aren’t essentially unsafe to eat within the sense that you’re going to get meals poisoning. Nonetheless, they develop a nasty bitter style. (3, 4, 5)
Oxygen Absorbers Are Not an Choice!
With dry meals like rice, you should use oxygen absorbers to forestall fat from oxidizing. Nonetheless, oxygen absorbers aren’t protected to make use of with popcorn kernels. Botulism can develop in oxygen-free environments, however provided that there’s sufficient moisture.
Guess what has sufficient moisture? Sure, the 14% moisture content material of popcorn kernels may present the right breeding floor for botulism if saved with oxygen absorbers!
Learn: Oxygen absorbers for food storage
Shelf Life
As a result of popcorn is so delicate to moisture modifications, it’s best to make use of popcorn kernels inside 6-12 months. Saved in an hermetic container in a cool place, the shelf life might be pushed to 2-3 years, however you continue to could find yourself with a lot of unpopped kernels.
The best way to Retailer Popcorn Kernels Lengthy Time period
1. By no means use oxygen absorbers to retailer popcorn kernels
Whereas oxygen absorbers are used with most different dry meals for long-term storage, they need to by no means be used with popcorn kernels. The excessive moisture content material of popcorn kernels means botulism may develop.
2. Additionally don’t vacuum seal popcorn kernels
Likewise, you shouldn’t retailer popcorn kernels in vacuum-sealed luggage or containers. Whereas vacuum sealing often doesn’t take away all the oxygen within the container, it nonetheless could create an setting the place botulism can develop. Botulism is lethal, so it’s higher to play it protected! (6, 7)
Learn: Vacuum sealing vs. mylar bags
3. Use hermetic containers
You should use containers which might be really hermetic to retailer popcorn kernels. This can stop moisture from escaping the kernels. (8)
Some good choices are:
- Mylar luggage (with out oxygen absorbers)
- Mason jars
- Plastic containers with hermetic seals
Additionally learn:
4. Preserve cool
Fat go rancid sooner in excessive temperatures. As a result of popcorn kernels have plenty of fat in them, you have to maintain them cool. Ideally, maintain them beneath 70 levels F.
You may freeze popcorn kernels. Some research even discovered that popcorn kernels saved within the freezer popped higher than these saved at room temperature. Nonetheless, moisture ranges can simply fluctuate in frozen meals. Until you reside someplace very heat, it’s in all probability higher to not freeze popcorn kernels. (9, 10)
5. Rotate Usually
To maintain the popcorn kernels contemporary and guarantee they pop effectively, you’ll must rotate by means of them repeatedly. Don’t stockpile greater than you possibly can rotate by means of in 1 12 months.
What to Do with Outdated Popcorn Kernels?
Outdated popcorn kernels won’t pop effectively, however they’ll nonetheless be used. You may grind them into polenta or grits with a heavy-duty manual grain mill.
If the popcorn kernels are actually outdated and the oils have gone rancid, they might style dangerous. Additionally, be looking out for indicators of spoilage like mould, dangerous smells, or bizarre tastes.
Is Popcorn a Good Meals to Retailer?
The underside line is that popcorn is not an amazing meals for long-term storage. It is just too troublesome to retailer due to its excessive moisture and fats content material.
Until you actually like to eat popcorn and rotate by means of your provide repeatedly, you might be higher off storing different snack meals.