The humidity in monsoons not only affects our clothes and furniture, but it can also impact the shelf life of our kitchen essentials. Namrita Malhotra, Founder & Managing Director of Savore, states that while we need to focus on buying premium products, it is equally important to know the right way to store them to preserve their quality. The rain makes food items like oils, ghee, and honey more susceptible to moisture, heat, and frequent exposure to the air.
Humidity can slowly degrade pantry essentials
Namrita Malhotra highlights the fact that while we usually pay attention to the premium quality of our ingredients, we tend to neglect the storage method in which the ingredients are kept. Humidity in the monsoons increases the chances of reduced quality of our cooking ingredients. She states that good storage is as essential as selecting our ingredients.
Store cold-pressed oils away from light and heat
Namrita says that cold-pressed oils need protection from light, heat, and air. Exposure to these three factors increases the oxidation of the oils. Humid air further makes it worse. She recommends us to keep our oils in dark, airtight containers. Also, keep them away from the windows and stove as they will increase their exposure to light and heat. Moreover, it will be better to purchase small containers of oil during monsoon times as opening and closing large containers exposes their contents to more air.
Purchase smaller containers for oil during the monsoon
Instead of buying large bottles that stay open for a very long time, Namrita suggests that we buy smaller quantities of cold-pressed oils during the monsoon. Frequent opening and closing of large containers exposes their contents to air and moisture, and hence, it will be better to choose small packs which will get finished sooner and maintain their freshness.
Ensure that the container is totally dry for ghee
Ghee naturally has a long shelf life; however, it requires protection from moisture during the monsoon. Namrita Malhotra suggests that we store ghee in a clean and dry container made of glass or stainless steel. She adds that it needs to be tightly closed after usage and to use a dry spoon should be used every time to prevent any moisture from entering the container.
Honey requires protection from steam
While honey is known to have a longer shelf life because of its low water content, it also requires proper storage in humid months, according to Namrita Malhotra. It is advised to keep the jar tightly closed and keep the honey away from steam-producing places such as kitchens and stoves. Preventing any moisture from entering the jar will help maintain the quality of honey.
Store pantry items away from windows and sink
The location of the container also plays an important role in storing the food items. Namrita Malhotra advises us to keep oils, ghee, and honey in dry cabinets rather than keeping them next to the window, sink, or kitchen counter. This is because the sunlight, heat, and humidity change frequently in these areas and may harm the food items stored in well-sealed jars.
Small changes bring a huge difference
According to Namrita, preserving the quality of pantry items does not require fancy storage techniques. Just closing the jars immediately after use, preventing any moisture from entering the containers, using dry spoons, and avoiding storage in warm or humid locations can make sure that carefully chosen food items perform efficiently.
