How to Store Cracked Wheat in a Bucket
Although cracked wheat (bulgur) may not be excite some taste buds, it makes a sensible and nutritious food staple, especially if you are storing foods for long-term periods. Cracked wheat is cracked hard wheat berries that you can add to breads or even boil with water to make into a nutritious hot cereal. Store cracked wheat in a bucket with an airtight seal and the cracked wheat should stay fresh for up to one year. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Large plastic food storage bags
- Food storage buckets
- Straw
- Permanent marker
Instructions
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1
Select the appropriate size bucket for the amount of cracked wheat you have to store. It is important that you match the bucket size to the amount of grain to minimize oxygen within the bucket. Oxygen will contribute to a shorter shelf life of your grain, so you must fill buckets to the top to ensure a long storage life. Select an appropriate size food storage bag to line the bucket for additional freshness.
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Place the food storage bag into the bucket and press the bag down to the bottom of the bucket.
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Pour the cracked wheat into the bag, filling the bag to the top but allowing enough room to close the bag securely.
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4
Close the bag almost completely, leaving enough room to insert a straw inside the opening of the bag. Suck out as much excess air from inside the bag by sucking the straw. You should see the bag collapse around the cracked wheat as you suck out the air. Continue sucking until as little air as possible remains in the bag and then seal the bag completely.
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Place the lid on the bucket securely, making sure it seals completely.
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Label the top of the bucket with the contents of the bucket and the date you packed the bucket.
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7
Freeze the bucket, if possible, for at least four days to ensure that any potential larvae that often exist in grains die.
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Remove the bucket from the freezer and store it at room temperature for six months to one year.
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Tips & Warnings
The freezing step is not mandatory; however, not freezing the cracked wheat before long-term room-temperature storage carries the risk that larvae may hatch inside the wheat while you store it. Freezing prevents this from occurring.
