Judging by how crowded stores like Costco and Sam’s Club often are, a lot of people love buying in bulk, but are you always getting a good deal when you buy items in such large quantities?
Well, when it comes to food, there are definitely some things that are better purchases than others, simply because items will likely go bad before you even come close to finishing them. But some items have a longer shelf-life and now some food experts are revealing the best, and worst, food items to buy in bulk.
Food items that are good to buy in bulk include:
- Mixed Nuts – Since nuts tend to last six to eight months in the pantry, and up to two years in the freezer, buying a large quantity can pay off.
- Dried Pasta – Both pasta and rice can last up to two years in your pantry
- Condiments – Bottled condiments, especially ones high in sugar or salt, can last a long time, which makes buying ketchup, vinegar or molasses, hood buys.
- Butter – Butter can last up to six months in the fridge, and even longer if you keep it in a Ziploc to keep it from absorbing odors. It also can last up to a year in the freezer.
Food items that are you shouldn’t to buy in bulk include:
- Spices – Dry spices last about two years, but unless you use a spice all the time there’s a better chance of them becoming “dull and lifeless" before you finish them.
- Leafy Greens – They wilt fast, so unless you eat huge salads for every meal, you’ll probably wind up throwing out a lot of lettuce.
- Fresh Fruit – Most go bad too quickly to be worth buying.
- Most Baking Supplies – Baking items like baking powder, flour and yeast will likely go bad before they are used. Flour can only last about a year.
- Fresh Fish – Seafood only lasts about two days in the fridge, so unless you are making fish for a party, or freezing a lot of fish, it isn’t likely to last.
Source: Today