I just found out that it lasts about a year if stored in a container. Longer if with O2 absorbers and mylar bags of course.
As I was saying, the stuff is as good as you can flavor it. If you eat chicken, then flavor it with bullion cubes or powder. If you want it to taste like meat, then use beef cubes.
On another note, there is no risks of e coli, salmonella or other bacteria because its not meat.
To cook it, use about 3/4 cup of water to one cup of tvp and let it rehydrate itself. Figure about 1oz of tvp equals out to be 3oz when rehydrate. You will need to put the leftovers in the refrigerator after you cook it, just like anything else. You need to adjust the water level for the consistency of the tvp. You will have to experiment with it though. This stuff is great for preping and for backpacking.