Beans are the most common cereals, which have an essential source of protein. They are staple foods that will not spoil quickly. Beans have a long shelf life, depending on how you store them. This article will explain how to store dry beans.

The following are five ways to store dry beans in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight:

1. Air Tight Containers

This is where dry beans are placed in an airtight storage container such as a Mylar bag or a glass jar, which can last at least three years.

2. Vacuum Sealing 

This is a process in which a machine sucks the air out of a special pouch and then seals it. The vacuum sealer bag has tiny holes that allow oxygen and moisture inside.

To store dry beans in this vacuum-sealed container, you need to kill any insect eggs in the beans, such as by freezing the beans and then putting a desiccant in with the beans to help control moisture. This method can make beans last for about five years.

3. Freezer

It is where you store dry beans in the freezer to protect them from heat, light, and insects in a sealable freezer bag. 

4. Container with Oxygen Absorber 

This is where you get the oxygen absorbers and put them in the container with your dry beans. Oxygen absorbers are tiny packets that contain iron and remove oxygen from their surroundings, which also makes insect eggs in the beans not survive. Your beans will last for more than five years this way.

5. Beans Packaging

Keep the dry beans in their packaging. This is suitable if you plan to use your newly purchased beans in the first month. You can store them in the original packaging.

How Long Do Dried Beans Last in Storage?

Dried beans can last more than ten years as long as they are dry and stored properly. Also, dried beans have a minimum shelf life of one to two years.

After two to three years, the beans’ nutritional value starts to disappear. After five years, most vitamins will have already vanished, though they still benefit from minerals and protein content.

Therefore, dried beans can be stored for a long time as long as they are dry, properly stored, and in a cool storage place.

3 Ways to Store Dried Beans for Long Term 

The following are three ways to store your fried beans for the long term:

1. Place Beans in an Airtight Container 

If you want to store dried beans for longer than one month, put them in an airtight storage container and keep them in a cool, dry, dark place that can last for three years.

2. Vacuum Seal Your Dried Beans

This way, dried beans can be stored for more than five years. If you want to store them this way, you can vacuum-seal storage bags for beans to remove any excess oxygen.

3. Add Oxygen Absorbers into the container 

You can store dried beans for a long time by adding oxygen absorbers to storage bags or airtight containers. These oxygen absorbers contain iron, removing oxygen from their surroundings and killing bugs. This method ensures that beans stay for more than five years.

4 Best Storage Containers for Dried Beans

The best storage containers for dried beans are those with tight-fitting lids, which will help the beans stay fresh for a long time.

They include four containers:

1. Glass containers or Tupperware plastic

2.  Mylar bags or pail containers

 3. Vacuum Sealer Containers

4. Mason Jars.

Can You Store Dried Beans in Plastic Containers?

Yes, dried beans can be stored in plastic containers with airtight lids and rubber seals and should be kept above the floor to prevent cross-contamination, physical hazards, and rodents.

To keep dried beans fresh for a long time, store them in a cool, dry place in airtight containers. This will prevent air from damaging the beans too early.

It is necessary to store dried beans in an airtight storage container, especially if you want to store them for longer than a month, which will prevent spoilage.

Can You Store Dry Beans in Mason Jars?

Yes, you can store dry beans in Mason jars because it is one of the best ways to store beans for a long time. When stored in Mason jars, these beans can last for three years and more without getting damaged quickly.

However, when you want to store your beans in Mason jars, you need to inspect them for any mold, moisture, or discolorations; after that, treat them for insect eggs by simply placing them inside the freezer, vacuum-sealed bags, or other container for about a week.

Once treated, ensure your mason jars are clean, including the jars and lids, to kill bacteria that can be on them. Then put your beans in jars with oxygen absorbed in a cool, dry place. 

Can You Store Dried Beans in a Ziploc Bag?

It is not advisable to store dried beans in a Ziploc bag. This is because Ziploc bags are easy to penetrate, and insects get into those bags, contaminating them.

Beans in this Ziploc bag, when stored in it, can last one year or more.

Can Dried Beans be Stored in the Garage?

Yes, you store beans in the garage since it is ideal for food storage if you know how to transform them. It makes food safe and never gets worried about it. For your beans to be safe, ensure that the garage is free from moisture, has proper storage equipment like cabinets, and meets the suitable temperature of 21 degrees Celsius.

Storing dried beans in a freezer will protect them from heat, light, and insects. To store them in the freezer, put the beans in a sealable freezer bag and label them with the date so you can easily rotate them. The dried beans will last indefinitely in the freezer.

How to Store Beans Over the Winter 

During the winter, you need to store beans in an airtight storage container and keep them in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, protecting them from any form of contamination.

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