Hulled Barley Shelf Life

Hello!

I recently discovered a stash of hulled Barley in a glass container..dating back to just before I moved into my current home....which was 4yrs ago... (this is what happens when friends & family come to help unpack & set up! lol)

So would it still be good? Or should I say goodbye & start fresh?

Thanks in advance! :)

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Sassy Sez: Hi there, As far as the shelf life of hulled barley, if it is packaged tightly and placed in the freezer/fridge it can last for about a year.

It can also be stored for long-term, as Jeff and I have been doing for years. We use a vacuum sealer to seal the bag up, and keep the sealed bags in a large container in a closet or storage facility. We have literally opened some bags that were (gulp) 2-3 years and they were STILL fresh and cooked up beautifully. (Please note, we have stored other grains and beans - with the exception of oats - for up to 10 years (!) in this super-sealed manner and they were fresh as a daisy upon opening.)

That said, if you do not store your barley (or other whole grains) properly they can develop mold and bugs.

It sounds as though perhaps your barley was not stored properly, and if it were me I would toss it right in the garbage. I am assuming it isn't TOO awfully much if it was stashed away in your cupboard. So hopefully it won't cause too much guilt. ;O) xo