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Grains > Grain Storage Guide
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Like other foods, most grains are perishable. It is always best to buy grains that are well packaged, which helps to seal in freshness. Grains should always look and smell fresh. Specialty grains may have a higher turnover rate in natural food shops than in large food stores, so buckwheat or quinoa, for example, are often best if purchased in a natural food or specialty shop.
For home storage, most grains keep well if they are kept in a sealed container in a cool, dry, and dark location. A sealed container is very important for holding freshness and reducing the possibility of infestations. The refrigerator is a good place to store grains, especially in warm weather, but a sealed container is even more important to prevent the grain from absorbing moisture as well as odors and flavors from other foods stored in the refrigerator. For long-term storage, the freezer compartment is the best place to store grains, but the grains must be in a sealed container or tightly wrapped.
It is important to remember that whole grains do not keep as long as pearled or refined grain because the germ portion of the kernel can cause the grain to become rancid over time. Never use grain or grain products that do not look or smell the way they should. It is best to buy smaller quantities of grains and grain products if you are finding it necessary to continually discard them due to spoilage.
| Recommended Storage Methods for Whole Grains |
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Amaranth
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Storage Containers: it is best to store amaranth in a tightly sealed container (preferably a glass jar).
Storage Locations: the best storage location for amaranth is a cool, dark, dry location. Do not store amaranth in a cabinet near a stove, oven, or dishwasher.
Shelf- Life: up to one year if properly stored.
Other Considerations: amaranth will not keep well if it is stored in a warm location or if it is exposed to sunlight. The flavor and aroma of amaranth will become bitter if it is stored improperly or for an excessively long period of time. |
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Barley
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Storage Containers: for cabinet storage, sealed containers of plastic or glass are the best. The grain should be tightly wrapped for refrigerator or freezer storage.
Storage Locations: cool, dry locations away from light or the refrigerator and freezer.
Shelf Life: up to one year if properly stored.
Other Considerations: it is best to store barley in the refrigerator or freezer during the summer months and at all times in hot climates, but it must be tightly wrapped to reduce the possibility of the grain absorbing moisture from the refrigeration compartment. |
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Buckwheat
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Storage Containers: the grain should be tightly wrapped for refrigerator or freezer storage.
Storage Locations: it is best to store buckwheat in the refrigerator or freezer.
Shelf Life: up to 2 to 3 months in the refrigerator and for 6 months or longer in the freezer.
Other Considerations: buckwheat must be tightly wrapped to reduce the possibility of the grain absorbing moisture from the refrigeration compartment. |
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Corn
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Storage Containers: for cabinet storage, sealed containers of plastic or glass are the best for storing whole corn kernels and popcorn.
Storage Locations: a cool, dark, dry location.
Shelf Life: dried whole corn kernels may keep for several years if properly stored. |
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Farro
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Storage Containers: for cabinet storage, sealed containers of plastic or glass are the best. The grain should be tightly wrapped for refrigerator or freezer storage.
Storage Locations: cool, dry locations away from light or the refrigerator and freezer.
Shelf Life: up to one year if properly stored. |
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Flaxseed
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Storage Containers: an airtight container that does not permit light to pass through.
Storage Locations: a cool, dark, dry location.
Shelf Life: several months if properly stored.
Other Considerations: exposure to light will deteriorate the effectiveness of the omega-3 fatty acids in the flaxseed, which are so effective in reducing cholesterol. When shopping for flaxseed, look for packages that protect it from exposure to light. |
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Job's Tears
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Storage Containers: airtight containers of plastic or glass or tight wrapping.
Storage Locations: refrigerator or freezer.
Shelf Life: several months in the refrigerator and 6 months or more in the freezer. |
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Kamut® Grain
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Storage Containers: sealed containers of plastic or glass are the best.
Storage Locations: a cool, dry location, such as a kitchen cabinet away from a stove or oven.
Shelf Life: up to one year if properly stored.
Other Considerations: whole-grain Kamut usually lasts longer than whole-grain wheat because it has a lower moisture content than wheat. |
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Millet
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Storage Containers: for cabinet storage, sealed containers of plastic or glass are the best. The grain should be tightly wrapped for refrigerator or freezer storage. A completely filled and sealed glass jar also works well for refrigerator storage.
Storage Locations: a cool, dry cabinet or the refrigerator or freezer.
Shelf Life: millet will keep for about 2 months when properly stored in a kitchen cabinet, 4 months in the refrigerator, and 6 months or longer in the freezer.
Other Considerations: millet can become rancid quickly if it is not stored properly. |
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Oats
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Storage Containers: sealed containers of plastic or glass.
Storage Locations: a cool, dry, dark cabinet.
Shelf Life: one year or longer if stored properly.
Other Considerations: The high level of antioxidants in oats helps to prevent spoilage, so oats will keep for very long periods if properly stored. |
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Quinoa
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Storage Containers: sealed containers of plastic or glass are best for storing quinoa.
Storage Locations: a cool, dark, dry cabinet.
Shelf Life: one year or longer if properly stored.
Other Considerations: quinoa will keep for longer periods (over a year) if it is stored away from sunlight. |
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Rice
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Storage Containers: tightly sealed plastic or glass containers are best for storing rice.
Storage Locations: uncooked rice can be stored in a cool, dark, dry cabinet. Cooked rice should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
Shelf Life: uncooked white rice will keep almost indefinitely if properly stored in an airtight container. Uncooked brown rice can be stored for only a half year because the natural oils in the bran and germ tend to cause rancidity. The shelf life of brown rice can be extended if it is stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Cooked rice should be stored in the refrigerator and can be used for up to 3 or 4 days or it can be stored in the freezer for about 2 months. |
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Rye
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Storage Containers: tightly sealed plastic or glass containers are best.
Storage Locations: a cool, dry, dark cabinet.
Shelf Life: several months if properly stored. |
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Sorghum
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Storage Containers: sorghum should be stored in tightly sealed plastic or glass containers.
Storage Locations: a cool, dry, dark cabinet.
Shelf Life: several months if properly stored. |
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Spelt
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Storage Containers: tightly sealed plastic or glass containers are best.
Storage Locations: a cool, dry, dark cabinet.
Shelf Life: up to one year if properly stored. |
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Teff
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Storage Containers: tightly sealed plastic or glass containers.
Storage Locations: a cool, dry, dark cabinet.
Shelf Life: up to one year if properly stored. |
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Triticale
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Storage Containers: triticale should be stored in tightly sealed plastic or glass containers.
Storage Locations: a cool, dry, dark cabinet.
Shelf Life: up to one year if properly stored. |
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Wheat
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Storage Containers: wheat should be tightly wrapped or stored in tightly sealed plastic or glass containers.
Storage Locations: a cool, dry, dark cabinet.
Shelf Life: up to one year if properly stored. |
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Wild Rice
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Storage Containers: tightly sealed plastic or glass containers are best for storing wild rice.
Storage Locations: a cool, dry, dark cabinet.
Shelf Life: uncooked wild rice will keep almost indefinitely if properly stored. Wild rice that has been cooked can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Cooked wild rice also freezes well if it is tossed with a small quantity of oil and stored in an airtight container. It will keep in the freezer for 6 months or longer. |
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| More Grains >> |
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