Food Tips
The Secret To Keeping Your Produce Fresh
Photography, Zoe Schaeffer, Unsplash.com
Food Tips
The Secret To Keeping Your Produce Fresh
Want to minimize food waste?
The way you store your vegetables is essential to maintain their freshness, flavour and nutritional value. Different vegetables have varying needs when it comes to temperature, humidity and storage methods.
These are our tips and tricks for storing your weekly groceries to keep them fresh for as long as possible.
Peppers
Photography, Vino Li, Unsplash.com
Storage Method: Refrigerate
Details:
- Unwashed and whole: Store in a plastic bag (or a reusable stasher bag) in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. This helps retain moisture and keeps the peppers fresh for up to 1-2 weeks.
- Cut or sliced: Place in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture for up to a week in the fridge.
Tomatoes
Storage Method: Room temperature, then refrigerate (if needed)
Details:
- Whole and unripe: Store stem-side down on a counter or a windowsill until fully ripe. Keeping tomatoes at room temperature ensures they develop the best flavour and texture.
- Ripe: Once fully ripe, you can refrigerate them to extend their shelf life for another 2-3 days. However, bring them back to room temperature before using for the best flavour.
- Cut: Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Use within 1-2 days to maintain flavour and texture.
Carrots
Storage Method: Refrigerate
Details:
- Unwashed and whole: Store in a plastic or reusable bag in the crisper drawer. Carrots can stay fresh for up to one month.
- Cut or peeled: Place in a container with enough water to cover and place the lid on top. Change the water every few days to keep carrots crisp and fresh for up to two weeks.
Leafy Greens (Spinach, Kale, Lettuce)
Photography, Gil Ndjouwou, Unsplash.com
Storage Method: Refrigerate
Details:
- Unwashed: Store in a plastic bag with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Place in the crisper drawer. Your greens can last for about a week.
- Washed: Dry thoroughly and store in a salad spinner or wrapped in paper towels inside a plastic bag. This helps extend their freshness by reducing moisture that can lead to wilting.
Potatoes
Storage Method: Cool, dark and dry place
Details:
- Whole: Store in a paper bag, mesh bag or a cardboard box in a cool, dark place with good ventilation (like a pantry or cellar). Avoid storing potatoes in the fridge as it can alter their flavour and texture. Properly stored, they can last for several weeks to a few months.
- Avoid: Keeping potatoes near onions can cause both to spoil faster.
Onions
Storage Method: Cool, dark and dry place
Details:
- Whole: Store in a well-ventilated container such as a mesh bag or a basket in a cool, dark place. They can last for several weeks.
- Cut: Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Use within one week to maintain flavour and prevent them from absorbing other odours.
Cucumbers
Photography, Jonathan Pielmayer, Unsplash.com
Storage Method: Refrigerate
Details:
- Whole: Store in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. They can stay fresh for up to a week.
- Avoid: Storing near bananas, apples or tomatoes, which release ethylene gas, can cause cucumbers to spoil faster.
Broccoli
Storage Method: Refrigerate
Details:
- Whole: Store in a plastic bag with perforations to allow airflow in the crisper drawer. It can stay fresh for up to a week.
- Blanched: For longer storage, blanch the broccoli and freeze it in an airtight container. This can extend its shelf life for several months.
5 Health Benefits Of Turmeric
Comments