Don't just check the expiration date, here's how to recognize signs that flour is still suitable for use or is stale

foto: Youtube/HAIRIN Entertainment

Because it is often used for cooking, many people deliberately keep wheat flour as stock at home. So you need to pay attention to its lifespan.

Brilio.net - Flour is usually used to make cakes, such as sponge cake, muffins, tarts, cookies and many more. Apart from that, flour is also often used as a cooking ingredient, for example to thicken sauces, wrap fried foods, and so on. There are various types and functions of flour and you can choose according to your needs.

One type of flour sold on the market is wheat flour. This type of flour comes from milling wheat grains. There are many types of wheat flour, there are high protein, low protein and all-purpose wheat flour.

Because it is often used for cooking, many people deliberately keep wheat flour as stock at home. Even though wheat flour generally has a long shelf life, humidity and temperature factors risk reducing the quality of wheat flour stocks. If that happens, the wheat flour cannot be reused.

Unfortunately, many people don't pay attention to this. Instead of paying attention to the quality, most people just check the expiration date printed on the wheat flour packaging. So how do you check the quality if the wheat flour is sold in retail form and there is no expiration date on the packaging?

After investigating, you can see the quality of wheat flour from its appearance. This was explained by YouTube user HAIRIN Entertainment. In his video upload, this grocery store seller explains that he sells various types and sizes of flour. Including selling wheat flour in retail packaging. A sack of wheat flour is divided into 25 plastic wrappers.

photo: Youtube/HAIRIN Entertainment

So, the quality of wheat flour that is still suitable for use can actually be seen from its appearance. To do this, simply touch or slightly press the flour packet with your hand.

If it's lumpy, you shouldn't buy it, friends. "Especially when it comes to packaging like this, if one is bad, it means that the flour content in one sack means the quality is low," he said, quoted by BrilioFood from YouTube HAIRIN Entertainment on Saturday (2/3).

photo: Youtube/HAIRIN Entertainment

The same method can also be used to check the quality of wheat flour in other packages, OK? But you don't just need to touch it, it turns out you can also judge the quality of wheat flour from its color.

So if the color changes, is a little blurry, or has black spots, it's best not to buy it. "Because of that, maybe it's old or about to expire," said the video owner.

Apart from these two characteristics of unsuitable wheat flour, damaged wheat flour can also show signs of contamination, such as the presence of insects, mold or an unusual odor. You can also practice these characteristics to check the quality of other types of flour, OK?

Here are some ways to store flour to keep it fresh and last longer:

1. Store in an airtight container.

Use an airtight container, such as a glass jar or tight-fitting plastic container. Make sure the container is clean and dry before using.

2. Avoid humidity.

Make sure flour is stored in a dry place. Moisture can cause the flour to become soggy and lumpy.

3. Store in a cool place.

Place the flour in a cool place, such as a cupboard or kitchen shelf that is protected from direct sunlight. Avoid storing flour near heat sources or in places that are too humid.

4. Use the original bag or container.

If flour is purchased pre-packaged, consider storing it in its original bag or container to maintain freshness.

5. Label with date.

If transferring flour into another container, be sure to label the container with the purchase date or expiration date of the flour. This will help remember when the flour needs to be replaced.

6. Check the flour periodically.

Although flour can last a long time, it is a good idea to check the flour periodically to ensure there are no signs of damage or moisture entering. If there is, throw away the flour.

Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.