How to store flour correctly
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Keep your flour fresh and waterproof
How many times have you reached into your cupboard only to discover that the flour you bought last month is crawling with bugs? Or smells like goose? In those cases, you’ll have to throw it out. But there are ways to prevent damage and the flour going bad.
The bugs we find in flour and other grains are called witches. The females’ broods actually lay their eggs in the kernel of the grain, and egg-shaped one to five months later.
So if you find these bugs in a hunt, chances are the eggs were there before you bought it. Fortunately, a few simple steps can help prevent bugs from infesting and keep the hunt fresh for up to seven months.
How to prevent
By using the right container and placing the flour in the right place, you can avoid the unpleasant detection of crawlers in the flour bag and that unpleasant smell (moisture makes the flour glow). All you need are sturdy, food grade plastic bags and food grade containers available online or in stores, a freezer and a cool, dark spot. Follow these steps for fresh flour every time:
Put a container of flour in a sturdy food-grade plastic bag. If the flour bag is wrapped in paper, place the entire bag in a food-grade plastic bag. If the bag is a plastic bag, if the flour is packed in a paper bag, seal the bag with a plastic bag of flour. Freeze the flour for two days-48 hours to kill flour and insect eggs. Pour the flour from an easy-to-fit plastic food-grade container with a lid. Store in a cool, dark place to prevent insects from getting into the flour and to block sunlight from the flour.
Useful extras
If you’re still wary about the freshness of your flour, you can take extra precautions by taking this step further.
Store flour in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage. Keep your storeroom clean to avoid insect infestation. Assign several 5-pound bowls of flour individually and store in plastic food containers with tightly sealed lids.
Got bugs?
If you are unsure if your flour is infested with powdery mildew and want to know before following any of the steps above, you will have easily identifiable mealybugs. First of all, look for flesh on the flour. If you see a brown dust on the surface, it means the hunt is for fluke. Even though the ailments are so small and bright, they may go undetected, they have brown legs. So what you see is a collection of dead and live bugs with their waste. If you’re still not sure, rub some flour between your fingers – if it’s long-haired, it will give off a delicious smell.