To Decant or Not. That is the question.

/ Simplify with Sheeba/

Decanting food. Is it a waste of time or part of a new aesthetically pleasing trend?

Decanting, in organizing terms, is the process of taking food out of its original packaging and transferring to another container. Why would someone do this? What are the pros and cons? Let’s dive in.

Pros:

  1. Aesthetic Appeal. Remove obnoxious packaging by emptying food contents into matching containers for a more calming, streamlined look.

  2. Improved freshness. Decanting helps preserve the freshness of foods by keeping air, moisture, and light out which can affect the taste of certain foods.

  3. Saves space. Transferring your dried goods into matching, square/rectangular containers will help optimize space in your pantry. When containers match, or are part of the same brand, they typically fit better as opposed to mismatched containers. This is really useful, especially if you have a small sized pantry.

  4. Decanting into clear containers also helps keep track of inventory. By being able to see the food, over purchasing will be reduced.

Cons:

  1. Decanting can have a higher, initial cost. Purchasing, bins, containers for the process can add up at the beginning.

  2. It can also be time consuming. Picture yourself after a tiring grocery trip, now add on some extra time to remove the food from its original packaging to place into other containers. Also factor in time for any cleaning up of crumbs or items that have fallen

  3. Nutritional Information. By removing the original packaging, you may forget to also cut out the nutritional value or cooking method. The same goes for expiration dates. It is an added step to remember to transfer over the following information in case you need to access it later.

Decanting food is not for everyone, or for every type of food. Will you be able to maintain this new system moving forwards, or will it be added time? Weigh the pros and cons and do what works best for you and your pantry size. Whether you prioritize the sleek look and functionality of a decanted pantry or prefer the convenience and time-saving aspects of keeping items in their original packaging, finding the balance that suits your lifestyle is key. Ultimately, the choice is yours – to decant or not to decant.