The Food Storage Containers You Should Reconsider Using In Your Pantry

Investing in nifty new storage containers can provide the much-needed impetus to reorganize a messy pantry. We mean, who doesn't love the soothing sound of decanting dried beans and pasta into cute little containers and snugly lining them up against each other? Then of course comes the shelving and labelling, which definitely counts as a peak-pastime for the type A personalities among us. If we've fired you up for a spot of decluttering, just remember one thing before you stock up on jars and storage boxes; think twice about using the opaque containers you initially envisioned and select transparent ones instead.

There's no denying that there are legitimately good reasons for choosing opaque containers to store your dry goods, snacks, and candies. Firstly, seeing as all the different colors and textures are hidden inside the jars, they give a pantry a unified and clean aesthetic where everything matches and looks pristine. Secondly, some items — like spices, herbs, teas, and coffees – lose their flavor when exposed to light, so it makes sense to opt for an opaque container that's also airtight to maximize their freshness and aroma. However, using clear containers has several perks that override the benefits of opaque ones. For instance, you can view every single item in your pantry in a single glance without having to read any labels or open a single jar. This allows you to better manage your inventory of dry goods, see which foods require replenishment, and notice which seasonings and rubs never seem to be used up and are ripe for discarding.

It can be very easy for the contents of foil packets and opaque containers to be forgotten about and languish in the back behind other items. However, if you can see what's inside them, you're more likely to come up with recipes that use them as a foundation before they expire. In this way, using transparent containers can also be considered a brilliant meal prep hack: you'll be able to view your pantry as a whole to make better use of the ingredients you have on hand. For example, if you have plenty of panko breadcrumbs on view, you might think to pair them with the protein in the fridge to make a batch of Tonkatsu donburi, or use them as a crispy topping for a gratin. As well as encouraging you to be more inventive with your meals, using up the available ingredients in your pantry will reduce your weekly grocery bill too.

Finally, clear containers mean you'll be able to see if your dried goods have become victim to any unwanted critters and pests, like flour mites, moths, and beetles, that can settle in cereals, pasta, and nuts. While using tight-fitting lids should eliminate this issue from arising, it's good practice to inspect the contents of each container to stave off any bugs.