While the drying process means that most pulses have an incredibly long shelf life, freshness still plays a part in taste and texture. Beans and lentils well past their date won’t harm you, but they can become stubbornly tough, unevenly cook and lose flavor. The most annoying part? Some in the packet will soften faster than others, leaving you with half mush, half chew. For reliably creamy soups and stews, it’s best to stick to the date and store them in a cool, dry place.

Now discover the foods you DON'T need to throw out after their expiry dates

Seemingly safe foods you should never eat past their expiry date