How to Store Dried Fruit Long-Term
Dried fruit keeps a few years sealed, less than grains because of its sugar and moisture. How to store it and keep it from clumping.
Dried fruit is a great morale food for a long-term store, but it doesn't last as long as grains, because it isn't as dry.
| Pantry | Mylar + oxygen absorber | |
|---|---|---|
| Dried fruit | 6 months to 1 year | Up to ~5 years |
Why it stores for less time
Compared with rice or wheat, dried fruit retains more residual moisture and sugar. That extra moisture is what shortens the shelf life and, if it's too high or the seal fails, can allow clumping or even mould. The drier the fruit going in, the longer and safer it stores. Commercially dried fruit is usually dry enough; home-dried fruit should be dried thoroughly first.
How to store it
Seal well-dried fruit in a mylar bag with an oxygen absorber, kept cool and dark. Quart-size bags or jars suit dried fruit, since you'll open it more often than a 25-year grain bag.
Dry, then seal. Any dampness left in the fruit is what causes trouble. If in doubt, dry it further before sealing, and keep it in a cool spot, warmth accelerates both clumping and spoilage.
Watch for clumping
Dried fruit naturally sticks together over time. Light clumping is fine, just break it apart. Heavy moisture, a fermented smell, or visible mould means it took on too much water; discard those. For longer storage of small amounts, the freezer also works well.
The verdict
Store thoroughly dried fruit in mylar with an absorber for up to about 5 years, keeping it cool and dark. It's fussier than grains because of its moisture and sugar, so dry it well, seal it airtight, and check for clumping or mould over time.
Dried fruit keeps up to about 5 years sealed in mylar with an oxygen absorber, less than grains because of its residual sugar and moisture. Make sure it's well-dried before sealing, store it cool and dark, and watch for heavy clumping or mould, which mean it took on too much moisture.
Frequently asked questions
How long does dried fruit last?
About 6 months to a year in the pantry and up to around 5 years sealed in mylar with an oxygen absorber, cool and dark. It stores for less time than grains because of its residual sugar and moisture.
Why does dried fruit not last as long as grains?
It retains more moisture and sugar than dry staples, which limits how long it keeps even sealed. Thoroughly dried fruit lasts longer, but it will not reach the decades that low-moisture grains do.
Can you use oxygen absorbers with dried fruit?
Yes, in a sealed mylar bag they extend its life by removing oxygen. Because dried fruit holds some moisture, keep it cool and dark and expect years, not decades. Very moist fruit is better refrigerated or frozen.
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