Amidst this pandemic and everything else going on in the world right now, food is something that is so important in our lives. Especially now, I've seen so may people stock up on fresh produce and I want to share some tips and tricks to keep your groceries fresh for longer! This list has some general suggestions and also different ways to store specific foods so you can reduce on food waste :)
1. ALWAYS check expiration dates
This is a general rule for any foods you buy. Especially if the food is on sale, check the expiration date!! If the expiration date is only one or two days away, make sure you plan on eating the food before buying it. However, if you are a couple days after the expiration date, the food should still be fine to eat (but make sure to examine it first).
2. Don't wash your produce before putting it into the fridge!
Make sure your fruits and vegetables are dry before putting them into the refrigerator. If there are water droplets or extra moisture on your produce, they will have a shorter lifespan. Don't take out your produce and wash it until you are ready to eat :)
3. Utilize the freezer!!
The freezer is a WONDERFUL place to store any fresh foods. The freezer basically acts as a time machine and essentially stops the decay of any fresh foods. If you cannot finish any of your fresh fruits or vegetables, seal them up in the freezer!! Meat should also go into the freezer- uncooked meat stays good in the freezer for months! You can also put bread into the freezer, and take it out to thaw overnight!! Plus, frozen fruits and vegetables work great in smoothies ;)
4. Line your fridge drawers with paper towels
Moisture is bad for any fresh produce, and can drastically lower their lifespan. Lining your fridge drawers (or even shelves) can work to absorb some of that extra moisture. They also make your fridge easier to clean, and are easily replaceable.
5. Know the parts of your fridge
It's important to know the parts of your fridge and what types of food should be going where. For example, dairy and eggs should always stay on the middle shelves or near the back of the fridge (where the temperature is the most consistent). The fridge door has the most inconsistent temperature, so milk and dairy products can spoil faster there.
Here is a graphic that explains the parts of your fridge:
6. Never refrigerate:
Tomatoes
Onions
Squash
Potatoes
These foods are best stored in a dry, shady, and cool environment. Try storing them in a dark cupboard or in a basement (if you have one).
7. Know which fruits/vegetables must be stored separately:
Some fruits and vegetables emit ethylene (a gas) which can lead to quicker rot and decay. Here are some of those fruits/vegetables that should be stored separately and away from other produce:
Apples
Apricot
Avocado
Bananas
Melons
Mangoes
Pears
Persimmon
Plantains
To check out an even more in depth list visit this Business Insider article.
8. Do not separate bananas
I recently learned that bananas will actually ripen FASTER if they are separated. It is best to keep them in their stem- even better, wrap the stem in clingfilm to extend the banana's lifespan by a few days.
9. Let avocados ripen in room temp before refrigerating
From personal experience, avocados are best left to ripen at room temperature before putting placed in the fridge. It takes such a long time for a rock hard avocado to ripen in the fridge, so I suggest placing avocados in the fridge when they are already ripe.
Once they've been cut or halved, utilize cling film to keep the avocados sealed. Also, adding a few drops of lemon or lime juice will stop the avocado from browning.
10. Put herbs in water
Keeping fresh herbs in the bag they came in can significantly lower their lifespan and make them turn mushy real quick. Instead, treat your herbs like they are beautiful flowers and put them in a glass of water by the windowsill. They will stay fresh longer and you will also have a beautiful bouquet of herbs 💙
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