With their germ intact, you can expect whole grains like wheat, spelt, or rye berries, or whole oat “groats” (berries) to stay fresh at room temperature for up to six months. Freeze them airtight, and they should be good for up to a year.

How can you tell if wheat berries are rancid?

Wheat Berries Spoiled From Moisture

If wheat berries are exposed to too much moisture, they may get soft or show signs of mildew or fungus. All of these are indicated by rancid smells and mottled berries with dark spots. The ideal humidity level in the room where you store wheat is 15%.

Is rye grain the same as rye berries?

Whole rye kernels are usually referred to as “rye berries.” Rye growing in the field has an inedible hull, which must be removed before milling or eating. ... While the fiber in most grains is concentrated almost solely in the bran layers, some of rye's fiber is also in the endosperm.