How to Preserve Cereal Crunch and Prevent Moisture?

Morning breakfasts are always incomplete without a perfectly crisp bowl of cereal. Even finely crisp cereal bowls are enjoyed as a mid-day energy boost or a late-night snack. But this perfect joy can end soon, as cereals can instantly lose their crispness as soon as they are exposed to humidity and air. The fresher of cereal crunch is left exposed to the air, the higher the chances of it turning stale. If we know why this occurs and how we can stop the cereal from losing its crunchy crispness, then it will help you maintain the freshness till the last portion. In this blog, we will explore the preservation, the best storage practices and some important tips to maintain cereal's crunch.

How to Preserve Cereal Crunch and Prevent Moisture for the Long Term?

In order to preserve cereal crunch, avoiding exposure to humidity and air is an important prerequisite to be followed. This easy-to-go method can help you eat your cereal as fresh as a new cereal box. The everyday solution that can help maintain the freshness of the cereal box is:

1. Place the Cereal in Airtight Containers

This is the simplest yet effective cereal-storing practice followed in almost every other household. Always prefer using a tight-lid plastic or glass jar with an airtight seal. In most of the glass jars, the lids always come with a rubber seal. The lid of such jars helps prevent moisture present in the air. And most importantly, it prevents insects and pests from crawling inside the cereals. 

2. Bag Clips

Another effective way is to use bag clips, where you can roll down the inner bag and secure it at that position with a bag clip. This is a simple method, yet it very effectively helps in locking air out of cereal. Even this is a short-term option for storing cereal. But still it is the most effective and easy to do so in order to keep the cereal crunch fresher for longer. The most interesting part is that bag clips come in different shapes and sizes. Bag clips can be bought at a very low cost. This can be used online and in local stores.

3. Keep it Cool or Dry.

Always store the Cereal jar in a dry and cool place. Avoiding the direct sub exposure. Consider placing the cereal box in a cupboard or dry pantry. A pantry is an excellent choice because it is cooler, darker and dryer. Darkness is ideal because direct sunlight exposure always reduces the shelf life of any food. Don't place it in the cupboard that is right next to the dishwasher or stove.

4. Never Place in Refrigerator

In the refrigerator, cereals can become soggy. This is due to the humid and cold environment that causes condensation. Prevention from moisture is very important, especially in the case of cereal. Moisture is the worst enemy which immediately attacks the cereal crunch, making it soggy and stale. So, never store your cereal in a refrigerator.

5. Separate from Strong Odours

Food like garlic, onions, etc., gives out a very strong smell which other foods can easily absorb. Similarly, cereals can very easily absorb strong smells like garlic and onion. So, store cereal away from such pungent food.  Always buy cereals that come in a good cereal box packaging.

6. Store in Mylar Bags

The other most practical way of storing foods like cereals is in mylar bags. They can also easily extend the shelf life of any cereal. For the last many years, mylar bags have gained popularity for storing food as a long-term food storing technique. Mylar bags are made under a technology that makes them oxygen absorbers. It is claimed that no matter what food you store, the food kept inside can be kept fresh for up to 30 years.

7. Use Separate Storage Containers

The easiest way to keep your cereal crunch crisp and fresh is by storing it in separate storage containers. The method is so easy and requires emptying a cereal box into a separate airtight lid container. A precaution that you should take is that if the container is plastic, then it should be only BPA-free plastic with a silicone seal. BPA-free plastic food containers are considered safer for food.

8. Check the Expiry Date

A golden rule to buy cereals is to check their expiration dates before buying them. It is common to add a cereal box to your cart that has already passed its shelf life. So, the best way to counter such mishappenings is by checking the expiry date on the boxes of the cereal you are going to buy. It is suggested to pick the cereal box with the most far expiry date. But remember the time you open your cereal box. You need to finish the cereal after thirty days of its opening. Checking the expiry date will never extend the shelf life of your cereal by itself. But it is an additional preventive measure.

Final Thoughts

Cereal is a staple food of every US household. An average American eats about 10 pounds of cereal per year. This means that 160 bowls of cereal per person annually.  So, it's very important to know the different and easy ways to store it for a longer period of time. If you want to avoid money and unnecessary trips to the store, follow the above methods, and your cereal crunch will remain fresh until you finish it. Bag clips are the most affordable and easy method to preserve the cereal. Then, mylar bags are another good way to preserve the cereal in bulk. You can also buy Mylar bags wholesale to save more money on them.