Tips for storing dried goods:

It had long been a mystery to me as to why lentils invariably took longer to cook than was suggested on the packet. And then one day I read that the drying process for pulses is ongoing and that the time needed for re-hydration, i.e. cooking, is therefore age-dependent. It makes complete sense now. In my experience, pulses do not suffer by being kept far longer than the best before date; they just take longer to cook (which is not a problem as long as you know beforehand).

Many fruit and vegetables can be stored in glass jars either dried, in brine or in preserves such as chutneys or jams. How to Store Your Garden Produce by Piers Warren is packed full of ideas and suggestions.

Storage jars should be washed and dried thoroughly before use. Unlike kilner jars these don’t have a metal hinge so are easy to clean and can be put in the dishwasher.