Poll: What would you consider the perfect storage food

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

I know we want to store different foods, but what would you consider the perfect storage food. Explain why you feel that way.

[Irish-Tech]

Choosing from just these 5 I would choose wheat. At least you can make bread and other fun stuff. Legumes is a close 2nd for me. The protein they provide will be needed.

[qrprat77]

I chose honey because it's sweet, lasts forever, and has medicinal value.
Plus I like it!
come to think of it I like everything on the list though...

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I like rice, takes very little to make and consume it. No special equipment. The food is easily modified into other dishes as well for variety.
plus pop tarts dont last to long around here for some reason :) must be the climate LOL

[qrprat77]

My Dad called Pop tarts and easy cheese "Naval Emergency Rations" or something to that effect.

[miked2345]

Can you long term store pop tarts? I thought the fruit filling would go bad after a short time.....

[claymore]

Lots and lots of different types of beans and peas, plus you can sprout them. Now, if you could only bottle the gas.

[Mikeg175]

Rice , 100 billion rice eaters can't be wrong . Stores easy , cooks easy , with minor variations is a different meal each time . Can just slap some butter in it and call it a day if needed . It is also cheap to get at this time .

[Bearman202]

I chose rice, because it IS versatile, but you can't live on it alone. I think you CAN live on honey alone, but I'm not sure. As for wheat, if that's all you had you would be in trouble pretty quickly. Legumes are the same, unless you like peanuts a LOT. As for pop tarts, I haven't had one in so long I've pretty much forgotten what they taste like.

[ristin59]

Rice, stores easy and can be cooked in many ways, add anything to it.

[WiseOwl]

I chose honey because it's sweet, lasts forever, and has medicinal value.
Plus I like it!
come to think of it I like everything on the list though...

I voted for Honey as well....Rice would be my #2.....

Honey is a wonder item

[MustangGal]

I chose rice as well. We use it at least three times a week right now, more that potatoes or pasta. So, not only would it be a part of our normal fare,but like Matt mentioned it is easy to prepare. It is also easy to get (unlike wheat berries - at least in my experience), easy to store, and cheap.

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

Can you long term store pop tarts? I thought the fruit filling would go bad after a short time.....

Pop Tarts was the joke answer. The other four were the real poll.

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

Here are some thoughts. Would love to hear what others have to say...

Wheat--can be popped like popcorn (doesn't have the fluffy white stuff and is still little crunchy, but edible). Has protein. Can be ground for flour and made into other things, pancakes, bread, muffins. Soaked for 24-36 hours and then drained and warmed for a tasty breakfast. Sprouted and eaten. In other words, many uses.

Legumes--soaked and cooked. High protein content. Some can be ground and made into flour.

Rice--Easily cooked. Has filled many bellies in several countries over the years. Can be ground into flour as well.

Honey--can be stored in any temp. If it crystalizes, just warm it and it will reform. Has many uses, medicinal, calories and even has some protein, albeit very little. Con is how to store it. If stored in glass bottles, care needs to be taken not to break glass. If stored in plastic, the plastic can break down over time in the wrong climate.

Pop Tarts--Will probably survive the big nuke going off due to all the preservatives. NOT A GOOD CHOICE FOT LONG TERM STORAGE.

Therefore, diversify!

[monkeybird]

Actually none of them are perfect, although I voted for wheat. Legumes are what nutritionist call incomplete proteins. For the body to use it it must have grains. Think about beans and rice. All cultures have used this combination for centuries. As far as storage ability, Honey wins hands down.