Also, have you ever looked into the pantry and come across an unpleasant surprise in the form of wet legumes or unwanted insect visitors? Lentils seem to be a durable food, but they are very susceptible to environmental influences that can spoil your entire supply. Let’s prevent this.
Of course, we want to protect our food supplies. Nobody wants to pay unnecessarily for raw materials that we end up just throwing away. Therefore, it is good to know how we can effectively protect them. So, if we are talking about lenses, for example, we should know that there is one old, somewhat unusual, but all the more effective trick that is used by experienced travelers and advocates of saving money. Its main hero is an ordinary kitchen foil. This aluminum foil can create a protective layer that keeps the lens in perfect condition much longer than if we had left it in the original plastic bag.
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Aluminum secret
The secret of the said procedure is hidden in the natural properties of aluminum, which does not transmit light, oxygen or moisture. It is moisture that is the biggest enemy of legumes, because even a small amount of water vapor from the air can or will support the growth of mold that is not visible at first glance. When we tightly wrap the lens in aluminum foil, we create a stable microclimate for it. Such an airtight layer therefore isolates each grain from the constantly changing conditions in the kitchen, which is especially important in households where there is a lot of cooking and the air is saturated with steam.
Protection against pests
An unforgettable benefit of packaging in silver foil is protection against food moths and other pests. Insects, as we unfortunately know very well, can bite through the thin plastic packaging in which the lens is normally sold with incredible ease. However, aluminum foil is an insurmountable obstacle for them. In addition, aluminum does not emit any odors, so any pests in the area will not even notice that their favorite food source is hidden inside. So if you’re planning a longer trip or just stocking up for bad times, this precaution is the easiest way to avoid disappointment the next time you open the pantry.
It will retain its quality
To make this still not enough, we can remember that another welcome result of using this trick is also preserving the nutritional value and color of the lentil (or other legumes). Light, especially the sun, accelerates it and can cause them to turn rancid or lose their color. Lentils wrapped in opaque foil retain their natural flavor and vitamins for a much longer time. Recent studies dealing with food storage confirm that storing food out of the reach of not only sunlight, but also artificial light, is one of the most important conditions for maintaining the quality of dry fruits. This makes aluminum foil a cheap and affordable alternative to expensive vacuum packaging.
How to get the best result?
How to achieve the best result? First it will be convenient to leave let the lens dry briefly in the air and only then seal it tightly in foil. We can make smaller portions, which we then put in a resealable container, which gives us double protection. We will especially appreciate this system when camping or other trips into nature, where every millimeter of space saved is a priceless protection from the humid morning air. Tin foil is light, storable and easy to recycle after use. Who would want more?
A detail to save money and time
If you’re still unsure, you can try this method on just a portion of your stock and see the difference for yourself. Lentils that have “rested” in foil will taste fresher after cooking and will remain exactly as you would expect from a quality ingredient. It’s just that a small detail that saves money and time in the total sum spent needlessly rearranging the pantry in an attempt to expel unwelcome flitting diners.
