By Linda Loosli
That’s why stocking up on shelf-stable sweeteners would also be a great idea for every prepper. After all, there needs to be something to help you take your mind off of your situation. Wondering which sweeteners are the best for long-term storage? I’d love to help! These are shelf-stable sweeteners to prep that every prepper should have set aside for any emergency.
9 Sweet Shelf-Stable Sweeteners to Prep
1. Honey
Honey is arguably one of the best sweeteners for preppers to get their hands on because it will last indefinitely if stored properly. That means you’ll never have to worry about your honey going bad. Just make sure to keep it in an airtight container and away from any heat sources.
Please store in quart or pint-size mason jars, plastic containers break down, and then the honey leaks through the cracks.
But even if you do notice that your honey supply is starting to crystalize, that doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily gone bad. Simply place the container in a pot of warm water and stir until the honey becomes liquid again.
Raw honey is considered to be the healthiest type of honey that has the most health benefits for you and your family, but there are a few other varieties for you to consider as well. Consider trying each of those listed below and then deciding which honey your family prefers.
- Clover-Honey
- Wildflower Honey
- Tupelo
- Avocado Honey
- Buckwheat Honey
2. Molasses
Surprisingly, a lot of people don’t seem to view molasses as a sweetener, but they’re missing out. It too has a long shelf-life. In fact, it can last for up to 2 years without going bad. But like honey, you’ll want to make sure to store molasses in an airtight container to prevent it from hardening.
Molasses is a great sweetener to have on hand, especially when it comes to baking. So if you find yourself with some extra time on your hands during an emergency, you could whip up some delicious molasses cookies, or perhaps some shoo-fly-pie! Molasses is also considered hygroscopic, which means it is part of a family of items that can help preserve your baked goods and keep them from going stale. It’s also fairly common for molasses to be used in cures and brines in order to preserve meat.
For past generations, molasses was a mainstay when it came to adding sweetness to a recipe. Since then so many of us have relied on regular sugar to sweeten things we make. Don’t be afraid to give this sweetener a try the next time your recipe calls for sugar, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised how good it will make the finished product taste.
3. Maple Syrup
While maple syrup doesn’t have as long of a shelf life as honey or molasses, it’s still a great sweetener to have stored away. It can last for up to a year if stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Maple syrup is most commonly used on pancakes and waffles, but it can also be used in baking or as a sweetener for oatmeal and other breakfast foods. And if you find yourself running low on supplies, you can always boil down some water and mix it with maple syrup to create a simple sugar solution that will last much longer.
Like molasses, maple syrup has been used for generations as a sweetener, particularly in the northeastern states where maple trees are so common. Again, give it a try and see if you like the special flavor it adds to your recipes.
Be cautious when you shop for maple syrup. There are lots of imitations out there with varying texture, flavor, and shelf life. Yes, they tend to be less expensive, but I always have the attitude to buy right the first time if you’re counting on quality. That applies to almost everything I purchase!
4. Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is another sweetener to think about. Although its shelf-life is considered indefinite, don’t bet on it. It can last for months, or up to 2 years, if stored properly. Most of you are well aware that brown sugar has a tendency to harden over time. To prevent this from happening, simply store your brown sugar in an airtight container with a piece of bread.
The bread will help to keep the brown sugar moist and prevent it from hardening. You can also use brown sugar in baking or as a sweetener for coffee and tea. It’s also a great way to add a touch of sweetness to savory dishes like roasted meats or vegetables.
I stopped buying brown sugar because you can make it for less money. How to Make Brown Sugar
5. Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar is certainly a great sweetener to have on hand, especially if you enjoy baking. It has a long shelf life and can last for up to a couple of years if stored properly. And what’s nice about powdered sugar is that it doesn’t have a tendency to harden over time. Similar to brown sugar, powdered sugar is wonderful for sweetening coffee and tea while adding just the right amount of sweetness to vegetables and roasted meats.
6. Agave Syrup®
If you have a lot of friends or family members who are vegan or have gluten allergies, having an emergency stockpile of agave syrup® would be an absolute must! Agave syrup® is also a low-glycemic sweetener, which means that it won’t cause your blood sugar levels to spike the way that other sweeteners can.
And like honey, agave syrup® has a long shelf life and can last for years if stored properly. Just make sure to keep it in an airtight container and away from any heat sources.
7. White Cane Sugar
Cane sugar is another one of those sweeteners with a decent shelf life. It’s definitely a staple item that every baker should have in their kitchen whenever they’re planning on following a sweet recipe.It can last for up to 2 years if stored properly. And like brown sugar, cane sugar has a tendency to harden over time. But you can prevent this by storing it in an airtight container with a piece of bread.
8. Stevia®
Stevia® is a relatively new sweetener on the market, and it’s derived from the stevia ® plant. It’s considered to be a natural alternative to sugar and it has a very long shelf life. In fact, it can last for many years without ever going bad.
Stevia® is mostly used in baking, while some people prefer to use it as a sweetener for coffee and tea. And like agave syrup, stevia® is also a low-glycemic sweetener which means that it won’t cause your blood sugar levels to spike. This is one of my favorite shelf-stable sweeteners to prep and worth checking out.
9. Splenda®
And last but not least, there’s Splenda®. Splenda ® is a type of artificial sweetener that can be used as a sugar substitute. You can use it in baking, or simply add it to coffee and tea. Either way, it’s a great way to add sweetness without all the calories. Splenda®: According to their website, the products are labeled with best by used dates.
Shelf Life of Sweet Shelf Stable Sweeteners
- Honey: Will last indefinitely. Please store in smaller containers, mason quart or pint jars are great. Plastic containers will break down after a few years.
- Molasses: I quote the USDA website: “Unopened molasses can be stored at room temperature for 12 months. After opening, store at room temperature for 6 months for best quality.”
- Maple Syrup: I quote the USDA website: “Before opening, all maple syrup can be stored in the pantry for about a year. After opening, genuine maple syrup should be stored in the refrigerator and will last about a year. Opened jugs of imitation maple syrup can be stored in the pantry for about a year.”
- Brown Sugar: It will last indefinitely, but it’s best to use it within 2 years. If you live in a very dry area, you may want to freeze it.
- Powdered Sugar: It’s best if used within two years.
- Agave Syrup®: It’s good for about two years.
- White Cane Sugar: It’s best used within 2 years. I just opened a #10 can of sugar from a church-sponsored canning company and the sugar had gone bad. It smelled so bad, it was for sure rancid.
- Stevia®: I quote the Stevia Website: “Stevia In The Raw® Packets, Approximately four years from the date of manufacture”
- Splenda®: According to their website, the products are labeled with best by used dates.
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