Word has it that instant coffee can last anywhere from two years to two decades, provided that it is stashed in a cool, dry place and sealed tight as a drum.

In general, coffee — be it ground or in the form of beans — has a pretty good shelf life and doesn't go bad in the

"it's rotten" sense. However, it starts to taste stale over time.

Floral teas have the shortest shelf life at three months, and black tea lasts the longest at two years. Loose-leaf teas can also last long if kept in

a dark, cool, dry place.

Most teas don't go bad to the point where they taste rancid, but they do begin to taste less refreshing as they go stale.

For best results, use a container meant for tea storage.

Generally, dried beans — if not exposed to moisture or pests — last two to three years. After five years, you can still eat them, but they lose all nutritional value.

A Brigham Young University study even found that dried pinto beans that had sat cooling on a shelf for around 30 years still passed muster with 80% of a consumer taste group.

Buying dried pasta in bulk is a good idea because its low water content acts as a barrier against molds and bacteria that require more moisture to thrive.

Dried pasta can last up to three years if stored in a cool, dry place. However, the egg content of egg noodles makes them more likely to go rancid than their non-egg counterparts.

Although steel-cut oats don't last too long in the cupboard, they can last in your pantry for two years if kept in an air-tight container away from sunlight and heat.

The steam bath commercial oats get during processing allows them to sit on the shelves for a long time. However, it’s best to toss your oats once they start

to smell bad and moldy.