Once opened, keep atta, rice and dal in airtight jars or tubs in a cool, dry, dark place. Atta goes off fastest because it contains the oil-rich wheat germ; white basmati and dried dal keep much longer. Airtight containers also keep out the Indian meal moth, whose larvae can work through paper and thin plastic bags.
How do you store atta?
After opening, keep atta in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Atta is whole wheat flour and contains the germ with its natural oils, so it can turn rancid over time. If it smells bitter or musty, do not use it.
Bought a 10 kg bag but do not bake daily? Fill a smaller tub for everyday use and keep the rest tightly closed in the coolest spot in the house, or portion it into the freezer.
How long do rice and dal keep?
Uncooked white basmati and dried dal are dry goods with a best-before date. Kept dry and airtight they last a long time. Very old dal does not become unsafe, but it cooks more slowly and softens less.
What does the best-before date mean on Dutch labels?
Ten minste houdbaar tot (THT) is the best-before date: the date until which the product is guaranteed to keep its quality. It is often fine afterwards; look, smell and taste. Te gebruiken tot (TGT) is the use-by date for perishable food and is about safety. Rice, flour and dal carry a THT date.
How do you store ghee?
Unopened ghee can be kept in the pantry. Once opened, keep the jar tightly closed, cool and dark, and always use a clean, dry spoon: water and food scraps make ghee spoil sooner. Follow the instructions on the jar.
How do you keep pantry moths out?
Store dry goods in tightly closing jars of glass, metal or hard plastic, check new packs and keep the cupboard clean and cool. KAD reports that the Indian meal moth develops in flour, rice, nuts and dried fruit, among other foods.
- Airtight. Larvae can get through paper and thin plastic packaging.
- Freeze. Unsure about a pack? According to KAD, -12 °C for 5 days kills eggs and larvae; the centre of the product must reach that temperature too.
- Clean. Throw away affected food, vacuum the corners and seams of the cupboard and wipe the shelves.
- Cool. Below 13 °C pantry moths barely develop, so do not store food next to the oven or dishwasher.
How do you store Indian spices?
Keep spices in small, tightly closed jars, dark and away from heat and steam. Never shake spices from the jar over a steaming pan: moisture makes them clump and lose aroma.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I keep atta in the fridge?
- Yes, in an airtight container. Cool storage slows rancidity. Let the atta come to room temperature before making dough.
- Are small beetles in rice dangerous?
- They are not poisonous, but the food is infested. Throw it away, clean the cupboard and store new supplies airtight.
- Can I use dal after its best-before date?
- Usually yes, if it stayed dry and has no insects. Expect a longer cooking time.