The expiration date food system is confusing. Not only is there more than one date to try to understand: best-by, sell-by, etc. And consumers aren’t sure how to read them, so a lot of good food gets tossed because of those dates. Often times those dates are just recommendations by the manufacturer for best quality, not for when food becomes unsafe to eat.

食物的有效期体系令人费解。不单单是有好几个日子你得看懂，最佳品尝日期、销售截止日期等；而顾客根本搞不清楚这些日期怎么看，所以很多不错的食物就因此被扔了。通常这些食物最佳保鲜期只是生产厂家的建议，而不是食物那时候吃就不安全了。

Actually, some of those foods don’t go bad. Ever. It’s time you knew which foods never spoil.

事实上，有些食物不会变质，永远不会。该了解下那些食物不会变质了。

1. Honey

1. 蜂蜜

Honey keeps indefinitely. It may change color and become crystalized, but it will stay safe to eat. If your honey does crystallize, just place the open jar in warm water and stir until the crystals dissolve.

蜂蜜可以永久保存，也许会变色、结晶，但它仍旧安全可食用。如果你的蜂蜜结晶了，只要开盖并把罐子放在温水里搅拌，结晶就会溶解。

2. Rice

2. 米饭

Even if it develops a frighteningly thick layer of dust on the bag, the rice inside is just as good as the day you bought it. This is true for white, wild, arborio, jasmine and basmati rice. Brown rice doesn’t have the same good fortune; its higher oil content makes it turn rancid. Just be sure to store in an airtight container to keep out any bugs.

即便米袋蒙上厚厚一层灰看着怪吓人，里面的米还是和新买的一样。但仅仅白米、 野生稻、 艾保利奥米、泰国香米、 印度香米如此。 糙米就不能如此有幸保质了，其高油含量会让糙米变质变味。只要保证用密封容器储存大米，防止生虫。

3. White Vinegar

3. 白醋

You can buy the bulk size of white vinegar without having to worry about it going to waste. It keeps fresh forever. So stock up, that way you always have something to turn to when in need for dressings, marinades or even household cleaning.

你可以大量购进白醋，不用担心会浪费。白醋永远保险。所以，屯起来，你要调味、腌制食材，甚至家居清理时都可以用白醋。

4. Real Vanilla Extract

4. 真正的香草精

Pure vanilla extract, since it’s made from alcohol, will stay fresh and flavorful for as long as you have it in stock.

真正的香草精，因为是用酒精制成的，只要储存着，就能永久保鲜、风味永存。

5. Salt

5. 盐

Table salt, kosher salt or sea salt, will stay as fresh as the day you bought it and remain so throughout the years.

精盐、 粗盐和海盐能永远新鲜如初，常年如是。

6. Cornstarch

6. 玉米淀粉

Keep it dry, tightly sealed and in a cool place. You probably don’t go through a tub of cornstarch that quickly.

放在干燥、密封、凉爽的地方。你估计也不会那么快消耗完一桶玉米淀粉。

7. Sugar

7. 糖

Sugar never spoils because it doesn’t support bacterial growth. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container to keep the bugs and moisture out.

糖不会坏，因为它不支持细菌生长。只要确保存在密封容器中，远离虫害和水分。

8. Hard liquor

8. 烈酒

Hard liquor will keep in a cool dark place for longer than necessary. Your liquor cabinet could itself be passed down from generation to generation. The liquor may lose its aroma slightly, but not enough for it to be noticeable.

烈酒放在干燥避光的地方可以存放很久。你的酒柜本身就可以代代相传。酒味会轻微丧失，但不大容易被注意到。

9.Dried beans

9. 干制豆类

Dried beans will take longer to soften when cooked. After about a year or two, but they do not lose their nutritional value with age so their shelf life is classified as indefinite.

烹饪干制豆类的时候需要花更长的时间软化。存放个一两年后，营养价值也不会随时间失却，所以可以永久保存。

10. Instant Coffee

10. 速溶咖啡

Instant coffee will keep in the freezer forever, whether sealed or not.

速溶咖啡可以永远存放冰箱，无论密封与否。

11. Maple Syrup

11. 枫糖浆

Just like with instant coffee, if you keep it frozen it will keep forever.

和速溶咖啡一样，只要冷藏就可以永久保鲜。