There's a kind of household loss that occurs when you rifle through the pantry at 11 p.m., open a sleeve of crackers, and take a bite that bends rather than snaps. It's not mold, nor is it past its expiration date; it's simply sad. Sad, leathery, and limp, it goes straight into the trash. But it does not have to. According to Penn State Extension's guide to storing staple ingredients, stale crackers, cereal, and other dry grain snacks can be laid out on a baking sheet and placed in a 425-degree oven for a few minutes to restore their crispness, provided that they still taste good. It's one of those old housekeeping tricks from your grandmother’s time that most of us may never have picked up on.
Why crackers get sad
