Pantry Guides

In this section, we offer practical guides, informative articles, and expert tips designed to help you build a versatile pantry foundation, discover new ingredients, and make the most of your pantry staples. From essential spices and condiments to versatile grains, canned goods, and long-lasting produce, our content aims to educate, inspire, and empower you to curate a pantry that supports your cooking goals, enhances your dishes, and simplifies your meal planning.

Does Mirin Need to Be Refrigerated?
By Johny
Pantry Guides

Does Mirin Need to Be Refrigerated?

Mirin is a sweet and syrupy liquid Japanese condiment used for seasoning and glazing foods. It is a type of rice wine brewed from rice called koji, alcohol, and glutinous rice. It contains lower alcohol content and higher sugar content that form naturally during fermentation. But does mirin need to be refrigerated? Let’s find out. What is Mirin? Mirin is a traditional Japanese seasoning used in cooking to add sweetness, depth, and a rich umami flavor to dishes. It is a type of rice wine that is made by fermenting glutinous rice with koji (a type of fungus), and then…
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Does Honey Mustard Need to Be Refrigerated?
By Luong Tan
Pantry Guides

Does Honey Mustard Need to Be Refrigerated?

Tangy and sweet is how we describe honey mustard. As the name implies, Honey mustard is a combination of mustard and honey, resulting in mustard that is sweeter, less sharp and it's full of spices that are balanced by sweetness. When you cook with it, though, it shines. It caramelizes beautifully and intensifies the flavor of everything it comes into contact with due to its sugar concentration. Even though honey mustard is easy to handle and can last for a very long time, there are a lot of misconceptions about how to store it. So, does honey mustard need to be refrigerated?…
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Does Golden Syrup Go OFF? What About When Refrigerated
By Luong Tan
Pantry Guides, ,

Does Golden Syrup Go OFF? What About When Refrigerated

If you recently incorporated golden syrup into your diet, you might have some questions or concerns before restocking your pantry. Also, if you are getting quality stuff, it will cost you. So naturally, you would want to be able to use it for quite some time. Well, can you? Does golden syrup go off? What could make golden syrup go off? How do you store it, and what should you avoid? You should have enough information to carry with you on your next shopping trip by the end of this article. Let's dive in. Does golden syrup go OFF? The…
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8 Best White and Red Wines for Bolognese Sauce Cooking
By Johny
Pantry Guides

8 Best White and Red Wines for Bolognese Sauce Cooking

Also known as Ragú alla Bolognese, Bolognese sauce can be said to be one of man’s finest culinary creations and the best thing to ever happen to pasta! Different recipes created from around the world, but none can compare to the original traditional Italian recipes that use more of a meat base than tomato sauce and include the use of wine. Wines whether red or white, are great for adding flavor to Bolognese sauce with the red wines bringing a rich flavor and the white wines adding fruity notes. Knowing the best wines for Bolognese sauce is important as a…
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How Much Powdered Sugar Is in A Box? – Tips for Measuring Powdered and Confectioners’ Sugar
By Luong Tan
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How Much Powdered Sugar Is in A Box? – Tips for Measuring Powdered and Confectioners’ Sugar

There's often a bit of number-crunching and conversion involved in baking and cooking.  If you constantly indulge in recipes that call for powdered sugar or confectioner's sugar, or you want to cater to curiosity, you may question how much powdered sugar a box holds. Knowing this will make your grocery choices for powdered sugar easier.  A 1-pound or 16-ounce box of powdered or confectioners sugar holds approximately 3.5 cups of powdered sugar.  One significant variable to consider when using powdered sugar is whether your recipe calls for the sifted or unsifted variant. If your recipe demands sifted powdered sugar, you…
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What is table cream, and what is it used for?
By Luong Tan
Food Science, Pantry Guides, , ,

What is table cream, and what is it used for?

Everyone has heard of heavy cream and whipping cream - you may have even used them once or twice in your recipes. However, it's possible that you might not have any experience with table cream because they aren't popular, leaving you feeling a little stumped, more so if you don't have anything of the sort in your pantry. So, what is table cream, and what is it used for? Well, your confusion ends here. This article contains everything you need to know about table cream. What it is, what table cream is used for, and possible substitutes you can use.…
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Is Wasabi Spicy? Why and how spicy is it?
By Luong Tan
Pantry Guides, ,

Is Wasabi Spicy? Why and how spicy is it?

If you're planning to introduce some Japanese food to your diet, you certainly have heard of Wasabi. I personally love to have it with some sushi. One of the first thoughts that come to anyone's mind if they have never tried Wasabi is how it tastes. Is Wasabi spicy as everyone says it is? How spicy is it on the Scoville scale? How can you make it at home? Here's our verdict. Is Wasabi spicy? Yes, Wasabi is undoubtedly spicy. Wasabi is a famous Japanese delicacy, culturally known as wasabi japonica, often referred to as Japanese horseradish. It has a…
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Baking Powder Vs Flour – What Are the Main Differences?
By Luong Tan
Pantry Guides,

Baking Powder Vs Flour – What Are the Main Differences?

Flour is unarguably one of the most versatile in the kitchen. It is almost always in everybody’s pantry and has gained a permanent spot on our grocery list because there is practically no baking recipe without flour. Moreover, flour is not only useful in baking, it is also used as a thickener for stews, soups, gravies, etc. Indeed, it is a must-have kitchen staple! Baking powder is another important baking ingredient. It is a potent leavening or raising agent that, when combined with flour and other baking ingredients to make dough or batter, helps baked goods rise.  In this article,…
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How to Make Sherry Vinegar at Home – Some Great Substitutes
By Luong Tan
Pantry Guides, ,

How to Make Sherry Vinegar at Home – Some Great Substitutes

If you’ve run out of sherry vinegar when you need it the most, it can be tempting to try out possible substitutes.  We recommend some excellent sherry vinegar substitutes: red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, champagne vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and rice wine vinegar. If you have a wine allergy or intolerance, honey vinegar, lime juice, Apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract will do the job.  Alternatively, it can also be tempting to test your brewing skills by making sherry vinegar at home.  Even though making sherry vinegar at home is uncommon, it is not impossible. Therefore, allow us…
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Is Sugar A Wet Ingredient?
By Luong Tan
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Is Sugar A Wet Ingredient?

Many baking ingredients call for mixing wet and dry ingredients. For the experienced baker, it’s a no-brainer. But if you are starting out, you might get confused by some ingredients that are not as clear-cut. For example, sugar. Is sugar a wet ingredient? What makes sugar a wet ingredient? What does it do? We’re here to answer the questions that have been on your mind. So, let’s get into it! Is sugar a wet ingredient? Technically, no. Sugar is solid, and it is neither damp nor moist. However, when baking using the “muffin method,” sugar is mixed as a wet…
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Can I Use Baking Soda Instead of Baking Powder?
By Luong Tan
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Can I Use Baking Soda Instead of Baking Powder?

Baking powder and baking soda are a huge part of the science called BAKING! Although they work in different ways, both are leavening agents. Their function is to create the ideal texture in baked products like cookies, cakes, and muffins. But have you ever run out of baking powder while baking with a recipe that says to use baking powder? At that moment, you may be wondering: Can I use baking soda instead of baking powder? How can I substitute baking soda for baking powder? Do they serve the same purpose? What is the best substitute for baking powder? In…
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How Long Does Canned Whipped Cream last?
By Luong Tan
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How Long Does Canned Whipped Cream last?

From experience, whipped cream is one of every baker’s favorite creams. It certainly makes a huge difference as a topping. But before you fill up your pantry with cans of this delicious and versatile cream, how long will you be able to hold on to it? Let’s find out. How long does canned whipped cream last? Canned whipped cream can last up to 2-3 months after opening, depending on how well they are stored. After opening your whipped cream, storing it in a refrigerator or freezer will keep it from spoiling for at least 2-3 months. However, if unopened, canned…
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