How to properly store buckwheat at home and what is the maximum shelf life

Buckwheat porridge, loved by many since childhood, is not only tasty, but also a healthy dish. Buckwheat is an important product in the diet of adherents of proper nutrition. Buckwheat is rich in fiber, phospholipids and amino acids, as well as vitamins and minerals, including iron, phosphorus, boron, cobalt, zinc, calcium, copper, potassium, vitamins of group B, C, PP, E.

How and what is the best way to store buckwheat groats at home so that it does not deteriorate and does not lose its qualities and properties, you will learn from this article.

Storage conditions for buckwheat

To buckwheat was stored for a long time and did not deteriorate, a number of conditions must be met. The main focus is on humidity and room temperature. With increased humidity, fungal formations or small insects may develop in the cereal.

Observe the following rules when storing buckwheat:

1. Humidity should not exceed 60%, and air temperature + 15 ° С.
2. Immediately after purchase, transfer the cereal to a glass or plastic container, which should be tightly closed so that air does not pass into it. The stores sell special jars for storing cereals. Before placing buckwheat in them, wash and dry the containers.
3. If you have bought too much cereal and cannot consume it in a short time, then dry it in the oven before storing it.
4. The place where the groats are stored must be dry and warm.
5. Buckwheat has the ability to absorb odors, so keep it away from foods that have a persistent aroma.
6. Place a clove of garlic, bay leaf or lemon zest in a container with buckwheat. This will save the cereal from the appearance of pests.
7. You cannot store buckwheat in polyethylene bags in which it is sold, as in them the cereal becomes damp and quickly deteriorates.
8. Store boiled buckwheat in the refrigerator only in a container with a lid at temperatures up to + 4 ° C.

In unopened packaging, buckwheat has a shelf life of about 1.5 years. Buckwheat retains useful properties if stored:

• in a sealed sealed package;
• in a dry and dark room;
• at appropriate humidity and temperature.

The expiration date of the cereal is indicated on the package. Also on it you will find the date of packaging of the product. If the date is printed on a label that is pasted on the package, you should be wary - it may turn out that it has been changed.

After the package with buckwheat is opened, the shelf life is sharply reduced. Store cerealskernel no more than 4 months, subject to all storage rules. For the time spent even less - 2-3 months.

Important! Do not forget to periodically check the condition of the cereal during storage. Cook from it once a month porridge, checking the possibility of further use.

Storage of bulk cereals

One of the most reliable storage options for loose buckwheat is in a canvas bag. It is boiled in advance in a saline solution, and then dried. The fabric keeps the grits from choking, and the salt keeps insects and mildew out. The material does not protect cereals from strong odors from other products.

How to store boiled buckwheat

Boiled buckwheat is stored on the stove for no more than a day. To extend its shelf life, the porridge is placed in the refrigerator, taken out onto the balcony or frozen.

The storage time depends on the way buckwheat was prepared:

• buckwheat, which is boiled in water without additives, can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week;
• buckwheat, into which butter was added during cooking, withstands no more than 3 days;
• milk buckwheat porridge should be eaten immediately after preparation - its shelf life is only one day;
• buckwheat boiled in water in the freezer can last for several weeks, but its nutritional value will suffer.

Cooking tricks:

1. In order to preserve all the useful properties of the porridge when cooking, do not expose it to prolonged heat exposure, cook over low heat.
2. Do not cook buckwheat in milk. It is better to cook ordinary buckwheat porridge, and then add milk to it. This will increase the shelf life of the porridge and preserve its beneficial properties.
3. Do not add sugar and honey to buckwheat. This will reduce its usefulness.

Storing green buckwheat

Green buckwheat- a well-known product from the diet of adherents of proper nutrition. It is not subjected to heat treatment, unlike ordinary buckwheat, therefore, the rules for its storage are strict:

• the storage location must be dry and cool;
• store cereals in a dark place, since the taste of the product is lost in the light;
• it is best to store such buckwheat in linen bags, as they are ventilated.

Green buckwheat after opening the package is stored for no more than 2 months.

How to understand that buckwheat has gone bad

If the shelf life of buckwheat porridge has ended, you may notice:

• unpleasant sour smell and taste;
• mucus at the bottom of the container with porridge;
• mold on the product.

You will understand that dry cereals have deteriorated if:

• she was covered with a white coating;
• a musty smell appeared;
• there is a bitter taste;
• insects appeared in the croup;
• grains form lumps.

These signs indicate that such cereals cannot be used for cooking.

On a note... A simple way to check is if a spoonful of crushed missing cereal is heated in a water bath, an unpleasant smell will appear.

Is it possible to freeze buckwheat

If you need to keep buckwheat for a long time, it is placed in the freezer. To do this, it is laid out in small containers. Thus, the porridge can be stored for several weeks. It is worth freezing porridge only in those cases when you know for sure that you will not eat it in the near future - due to freezing, it loses its beneficial properties.

Milk porridge can be kept in the freezer for up to 4 months, and boiled in water - up to 6 months at a temperature of -18 ° C.

Some housewives prefer to store buckwheat on the balcony in winter. It is better not to use this method, and here's why:

• cereals are exposed to a sharp temperature drop;
• outdoor humidity fluctuates;
• sunlight has a negative effect on cereals.

Useful Tips

Experienced housewives share their recommendations for choosing and storing this product:

1. It will be possible to store buckwheat for a long time only if the cereal is of high quality. It should not contain pebbles, husks, insects, grains should be of approximately equal size. Buy buckwheat in transparent packages - it's easier to assess the quality of the product
2. Store cereals out of direct sunlight.
3. A small bag of salt will help keep the cereal dry.
4. Heat the cereal before placing it in the storage container. 8-10 minutes in a skillet will be enough. It is important that buckwheat is not overcooked, otherwise it will lose all useful qualities.

To make the cooked buckwheat crumbly, follow the following algorithm:

1. Put the cereal in a saucepan, pour water there so that it slightly covers the product.
2. Place the container over medium heat and wait for the water to boil.
3. Then reduce heat, add seasonings and salt to the pan. Cook the buckwheat for about 10-15 minutes.
4. Remove the pot and cover it with a thick cloth, such as a towel. Leave the dish for 15-30 minutes.

Conclusion

The quality of buckwheat cereals affects its shelf life, so when buying, pay attention to this.To preserve all properties and taste, observe the temperature regime, humidity level and choose suitable containers for storage. After the shelf life of cereals has ended, there are no useful trace elements left in it.