How Long is Cream of Wheat Good For?

We may earn commissions for purchases made through links on our site. Learn more on our about us page.

When stockpiling goods, you have many options to choose from, but some foods are better than others. You should consider your diet to be sure your nutrients are efficient enough for survival in case of an emergency.

The primary food groups you need are:

• Protein
• Fats
• Carbs
• Fruits and veggies
• Dairy

 

When seeing those food groups, you might wonder how it’s possible to keep all of that good for many years. You might also be wondering what options you have or if there are any options. Today, we’re going to be talking about the cream of wheat.

How Long Does it Last After You Open it?

If you bought cream of wheat (or farina) from the grocery store and have already opened the box, it will only last around 4-6 months. Unfortunately, with most things, once the item has been opened, it will expire much faster, so be sure only to open things when you need to.

However, if you haven’t opened the box, cream of wheat can last 6-8 months past its expiration date. If you decide to keep them in a mylar bag, you can keep cream of wheat for 25 years as long as you store it properly.

 

What if You Made it By Yourself?

The recipe is quite simple if you want to make cream of wheat from scratch, and all you need is whole wheat berries and some milk or water. You grind your wheat berries, the edible part of a wheat plant, and add the liquid until your desired consistency.

If stored correctly, wheat berries can be kept for over 30 years, but remember that when you want to use them, you’ll have to grind them yourself. You’ll also have to use powdered milk which might change the flavor, while it can last 20 years and still be safe.

 

Where Should You Store it?

You should store your cream of wheat in a cool, dry place. Moisture is the most significant danger for the cream of wheat, and if moisture gets into the food, it creates the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply, which will rapidly go bad.

If you’ve decided to go with the wheat berries idea, pack them in a vacuum-sealed bag and store them in an airtight container if you want them to last over 30 years. Oxygen absorbers also help to control pests from getting into it.

 

Is it a Good Choice for a Survival Stockpile?

Yes. If carbs are a food group needed to stay nutritionally healthy, they can last for 25 to over 30 years. Foods that last for a long time are significantly better than foods that last only a year or two because, in an emergency, you don’t know when you’ll get another meal.

It might even be better just to keep the wheat berries instead. They are smaller, meaning you can store more at a time, and if you’re not in the mood for the cream of wheat, you can use the base ingredient to create different foods.

 

Why Do You Need a Cream of Wheat?

Even though there are a lot of people who say that carbs are bad for you and that you should cut them out, studies show that it’s not healthy to cut out any of the food groups. In your body, carbs create energy for you to move.

If you have wheat and milk to make cream of wheat, it covers two of the nutrition groups needed to stay healthy, carbs and dairy. Cream of wheat is also a good source of iron, and that’s important since you most likely won’t have regular access to red meat.

 

Final Thoughts on How Long is Cream of Wheat Good For

There are many options to choose from when stockpiling foods, but you should be picking things based on what nutritional benefits it provides and how long they last.

For example, the cream of wheat provides a good source of iron and fulfills the carbs category on a healthy scale.

If stored properly, cream of wheat can last up to 25 years; if you decide to make it yourself, the actual wheat berries can last over 30 years. Keep them in a cool and dry area away from moisture so that bacteria don’t grow inside them.

Leave a comment