Power to The Bakers.How To Properly Store Your Flour
Flour is an essential ingredient in your daily diet. People of different regions make use of flour for preparing a wide variety of food items. You can find different types of flour in every household kitchen, restaurant, and café pantry. When you buy flour, it is better to get it in bulk. It is because flour gets used in so much cooking and baking that it is not feasible for you to run to the grocery store frequently. Having flour in bulk resolves most of your issues. But the crucial thing to note is to ensure that you are storing the flour properly. If not, then it may become rancid. Moreover, you can observe flour critters that destroy the overall quality of the flour. If you cannot store the flour properly, it’s no use getting it in bulk. So, how will you store the flour to ensure that they remain fresh every time you use it? Experts have shared some important points to store the flour in bulk and keep it fresh.
#1 Always Make Use Of The Air Tight Container To Store The Flour
For storing the flour, you should choose an airtight container. Such containers will not let the air (moisture) enter the flour and lead to the oxidation process. If moisture enters the flour, it will cause flour spoilage. Yes, you can store the flour in sealed paper bags. But only till you open it. After opening, you should store it in a container that does not allow air (moisture and oxygen) to enter the flour. You can use glass containers or plastic bulk bins to properly store the flour. You can get some vacuum-sealed bags from any grocery shop to keep the flour.
#2 Store The Flour In A Cool Place
The place where you store the flour bags and containers should be cold. Keeping the flour cold helps in keeping them fresh and does not let the natural oils ooze out. The coolness of the place will ensure that the flour critters do not breed in the flour. So if you have extra space in the freezer, you can store the flour bags and containers in it. Even slight warmth can lead to the oozing of the natural oils from the flour and cause the flour to go rancid. If not in the freezer, you can store the flour in deep cold storage. Most homeowners even use the cellars to store the flour and keep it fresh in the long run.
#3 You Should Store The Flour In A Dark Place
Another important thing that you need to ensure while storing the flour is to keep it in a dark place. The flour should be kept away from harsh direct sunlight. With sunlight, the heat in the flour increases and leads to the oozing of its natural oil. The sunlight also encourages the oxidation process in the flour, which makes the flour go rancid and causes a bad smell. For storing the flour, you can use opaque containers like stoneware. It helps in maintaining the freshness and quality of the flour.
#4 Make Sure The Place Where You Are Storing The Flour Is Clean
When the storage area — pantry or shelves are not clean, they can encourage the breeding of insects and flour critters. The critters can turn the flour bad and unfit for consumption. Therefore, it is better to ensure that you keep the region clean. You can use some mild remedies such as sprays, powders, or medicinal pellets that help in keeping the insects at bay.
#5 Always Sieve The Flour Before Using
Whether you store the flour in the bag or the containers, you should sieve the flour properly. It is helpful to keep the flour fresh and extend the shelf life. It also prevents any moldy bits or critters from getting into your cooking or baking.
Summary:
When you buy flour in bulk, it is essential that you store the flour in the proper way. It is crucial so that you can use fresh and high-quality flour for a long period. Usually, you can keep the flour fresh for 6 to 7 months. By taking the necessary precautions, you can extend the shelf life of flour. This is applicable for all types of flour — wheat flour, all-purpose flour, bread flour, cake flour, pastry flour, etc.