White (or polished) rice can keep its nutrients and taste for 30 years if stored in containers without oxygen at temperatures below 40°F. On the other hand, brown rice doesn't last as long (only six months) because of the natural oils in its bran layer.
Honey is said to last forever because of its special chemistry and how bees make it. The nectar from flowers mixes with enzymes inside the bees, changing it into simple sugars that go into honeycombs.
Sodium chloride, which comes from the earth, lasts a long time and has been used for centuries to preserve food by removing moisture. However, if your salt is iodized, it may only last about 5 years because the iodine reduces its shelf life.
The general agreement is that unopened soy sauce can last a very long time, depending on the type and additives used by the brand. Even after it's been opened, soy sauce can stay good for years in your refrigerator.
Like other items, how you store sugar decides how long it lasts. Powdered and granulated sugar should be kept in airtight containers to keep out moisture. Even if brown sugar hardens, it's still edible once softened, according to manufacturers.
Similar to the rice studies, researchers at Brigham Young University discovered that after 30 years, the quality of pinto beans went down, but at least 80% of consumer panelists still found them acceptable for use in an emergency.
A guide from Utah State University says that pure maple syrup, like honey and granular sugars, can last forever as it resists mold growth. The Massachusetts Maple Producers Association also confirms that unopened maple syrup has an indefinite shelf life.