Did you know that half of the items present in your pantry or kitchen cupboard are actually not supposed to be placed there? Most products already come with storage directions printed on their labels but oftentimes, you tend to take these instructions with a grain of salt. Little do you know, this little change in how you store certain food items is detrimental to their lifespan.

Some items don’t expire faster when they are kept in an unsuitable condition but their quality suffers greatly as a result. For example, the food item may continue to serve its purpose but it might not taste as good.

In order to get the most out of your purchase, here are some items you should start storing properly to increase their shelf life.

1. Maple Syrup

Pancakes are nothing without s good ol’ dab of golden maple syrup, which is why it is important for you to store it properly. Many people tend to leave the maple syrup on the kitchen countertop or place it in one of the cabinets along with the rest of the condiments but in reality, maple syrup needs a cool, chilled environment to thrive. Given the fact that it has a high sugar content, it is more vulnerable to getting spoiled. This means that in order to maintain its taste and smell for a long time, you must store maple syrup in the fridge.

Pexels | Enjoy your pancakes with maple syrup that tastes fresh

2. Flour

You might think that the only thing flour needs to be kept away from is water or humidity, but it’s not that simple. When it comes to flour, especially, whole wheat flour, it is suggested that you store it at a cool temperature. This is because whole grain flour contains vitamins, fiber, and other nutrients, and this needs colder temperatures to maintain its quality.

Pexels | Just be sure to store it in a box so it doesn’t come into contact with water

3. Corn

Planning on hosting a barbeque? To spice things up a little, you might want to consider getting some corn to go with it. But don’t just leave it out there–many people believe that since corn is already covered with a husk, it’s going to stay fresh as long as the husk isn’t removed. That, in fact, is not true. Despite the husk, corn can easily dry out, which means that it needs to be placed in a cool environment and in an air-tight bag.

Pexels | So, make sure to wrap them up tightly when you put them in the fridge

Looks like you are going to have to change up your pantry and storing methods soon. But hey, at least you’re changing for the better, right?