India, Jan. 5 -- How many times have you popped your leftover curries in the fridge, knowing very well you'll never be getting around to them, but avoiding the imminent guilt that comes with throwing out perfectly good food?

The adult thing to do here, would be to pop it in the freezer instead, fool-proofing the dish whilst simultaneously diminishing the guilt. That being said, not everything is meant to last (in the freezer) forever. From ingredients that spoil within days to staples that last for months, this guide from Taste Atlas breaks down food storage into short, medium and long-span categories, so you know exactly what to use first, what can wait, and what to throw out fast.

Milk - 1 month (starts separating)

Cooked rice - 1 to...